Westmoore's Ian Richey – Character Counts Presented by Eskridge Honda

By Corey Heim

Ian Richey is a member of Westmoore High School’s golf team and one of the most dedicated students to his school and community.

One of Richey’s passions is working for The Sparrow Project, an organization based in Moore, that provides projects and activities for adults with disabilities after they graduate high school in order to give each individual the most fulfilling and enriching life.

Richey’s mother and aunt created The Sparrow Project, and the organization is extremely important and personal to him.

“My sister is a special needs adult so being involved in this program is really big to me,” Richey said. “What I enjoy most about volunteering is seeing the smiles and joy on people’s faces.”

When asked how volunteering became so important to him and why he continues to help improve Moore, he said it all stems from the feeling he gets from his community.

“Westmoore and my community have a strong sense of family and togetherness,” Richey said. “After the tornadoes hit the area in 2013 you could just feel the community working together and becoming one. That hasn’t changed a bit.”

After graduating this May, Richey will continue his education at The University of Oklahoma where he will be majoring in criminology and minoring in psychology. He will continue to volunteer for The Sparrow Project and in his community, no matter where the future brings him.

“My biggest thing in life is to make sure I made an impact or difference in someone’s life,” said Richey.