2008 Founders Trophy presented to Casey Higgins

Presentation by Susan Schmidt, BCF board member


Helen Higgins, Billie Holcomb, Casey, Bob Holcomb, & Clay Higgins

Matt Fee knows a great kid when he sees one, and he sees lots of kids. Matt is the director of clubhouse programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis. When asked if there was somebody who really stood out and might make a good candidate for this award, he didn’t hesitate to “enthusiastically” nominate CASEY HIGGINS. Matt tells us that Casey is an advocate for high school teens in the community and has contributed years of volunteer service to various organizations that make our community a great place to live.

Casey was elected by his peers as president of the Keystone Krew leadership group at the Boys & Girls Club, which is the teen organization within the club. Casey recognized the need for more opportunities and activities for high school kids in the community who lack the opportunity or the means to access after school enrichment activities. This led to the creation and completion of a high school coffee shop inside the club. He led the group in defining a business plan, fundraising for materials and supplies and helping the group set up the operation. He made it “cool” for high schoolers to go to the club to hang out . He and other leadership members will be starting a mentoring program for 8th graders to introduce them to the opportunities the club has to offer and keep them involved at the club as they enter high school.

Casey has volunteered at numerous non-profit fund raisers. He sorted cans at the annual Rotary Club canned food drive and sold tickets for the Benton County Fair. He also helped the Rotary Pizza booth at the Corvallis Fall Festival. His Rotary connection is his mom, Helen, who is a member of the Friday Rotary Club. He volunteers his time at the middle school dances and has coached a middle school basketball team for the past two years. He works part time at the Lincoln after-school program serving children from low-income households providing additional academic, art and science support and acts as a mentor to middle school aged youth and tutors them in math. He volunteers at the Regent Retirement center as a server to the residents.

As if that weren’t enough, Casey is a 3-year varsity tennis player at CVHS, plays percussion in the Jazz band, marching band, pep band and the symphonic band. He has been an honor roll student throughout his high school career and has completed 4 years of Spanish. He plans to continue his studies in languages and international business at the UofO. (But we love him anyway.) I know that what Casey has accomplished will have a long-term affect on the club and other kids in the community.

To quote Matt again: “We believe that Casey Higgins exemplifies the attributes of Service Above Self upon which Rotary and the Founders Trophy is based. Casey has approached his many contributions through our organization in a way that leaves a legacy for those who will follow.”

Please welcome CASEY HIGGINS. With Casey today are his parents, Helen and Clay and Matt Fee, Clubhouse Director. Would you please stand. Casey, on behalf of Bob and Billie Holcomb and The Benton County Foundation, it is my pleasure to present you with the Benton County Foundation’s Founders Trophy and a check for $2,500, which is the amount that started it all.

Susan Schmidt
BCF Board Member
4-10-08