SWEETWATER COUNTY — Here are some of the nominees for the YWCA Celebrating Women of Distinction awards. The event, in its third year, is a fundraiser for the YWCA and honors local women who exemplify the mission of the YWCA: Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women. The three categories include: Young Woman on the Move, Professional Woman of Distinction and Woman of Legacy. Nominated individuals will be honored at a High Tea to be held October 4, at the Holiday Inn.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Rock Springs and Green River Chambers as well as the YWCA. For more information about nominations and/or tickets please call 352-6635.

Young Woman on the Move

1. Kelly Frink – Kelly’s nominator states “Kelly is an amazing individual who strives to make a difference in the lives of others on a daily basis”. As the Co-Executive Director for United Way of Southwest Wyoming she advocates for the programs the agency works with as well as the individuals and families they serve. Kelly is on the Board of Directors for the Little Lambs Preschool, and works closely with the Rock Springs High School Academy Programs providing a volunteer site where students work with her and experience her leadership role in the community. Kelly is very involved in her church, serves on the Rock Springs Soccer Association as the Registrar, volunteers for the National High School Finals Rodeo and is an active Rock Springs and Green River Chamber Member. Kelly’s goal is to reach out and engage the youth in the community in a larger capacity through her leadership role at the United Way. She wants to be a positive voice for women in leadership roles and help form the leaders of tomorrow including raising her daughter to be confident in her abilities, knowing she can do whatever she wants to be.

   

2. Kimber Burger – At a young age Kimber had one primary goal, to become a nurse because she had many nurses care for her during her years of participating in dirt biking which involved injuries and many stays in the hospital. With a strong determination and drive she attended CNA classes while still attending high school and working at Taco Time. After graduating high school she continued her studies, graduated nursing school and became a registered nurse; working in the ICU. Kimber is a role model to women and girls with her determination to live a healthy, fit life inspired her to become involved in CrossFit, which she now coaches at a local gym. She loves helping people and watching them develop and meet their goals. Kimber has competed in the National Physique Competitions and placed first in both Bikini Novice and Bikini Open, and fourth overall. Kimber volunteers at first-aid stations at local events and is always willing to help anyone. Her goals include placing in a national physique competition in early 2015 as well as eventually having children. Her nominee states “Kimber would like to have kids, whether it be biological, adopting or fostering; a family of her own is in her future and she particularly likes the idea of adopting or fostering as it will give her the opportunity to help a child in need”.

   

3. Alexia Pitsch – Alexia continually demonstrates a commitment to her community through her involvemnt with numerous organizations. She is on the Young and Professional (YAP) Board, the Western Wyoming Family Planning Board, served a four year term as the secretary for the Red Desert Humane Society, and volunteers on their fundraiser committee, and also serves on the retail committee for the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce. Alexia has worked hard to build her insurance business by helping local small businesses with their employee benefits. She has served in leadership roles within the Regional Aflac organization and continues to work with area employers and other insurance brokers building professional relationships. Alexia is a role model for young girls as she is not afraid to take on new tasks, is goal oriented and works hard to meet her goals. Her nominator states “Alexia is continuously positive person and finds ways to turn challenges into opportunities”. Fueture goals include establishing herself as an insurance expert for the community and building her business up to include employees and a professional office.

Professional Woman of Distinction

1. Niki Ready – Niki is described as a “Wyoming Powerhouse” by her nominator. Growing up in Wamsutter Niki worked at her family’s oil field service business and then went on to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Niki and her husband started a business Ready Oilfield Service, Inc in which together they have built to be a large corporation that employs over 200 people in multiple states. Niki serves as the vice president and is engaged in day to day operations offering top notch services to the energy industry in Wyoming, Colorado and Texas. Niki has traveled to Washington DC to speak with congress about the Wyoming energy industry. Niki inspires people to be the best they can be and has demonstrated that a woman can be successful in “a man’s world” and that with hard work and balance you can have a thriving career and be a good parent. Niki volunteers for 4-H, and several local non-profit organizations. She is on the Government Affairs Committee with the Petroleum Association of Wyoming and has been a valued voice on the BP STEM Scholarship program for Rock Springs and Rawlins high school students. Making Wyoming a better place for future generations and building a business that her children will assume one day are Niki’s future goals.

   

2. Marie Wilson – Marie has dedicated close to half of her life thus far to bettering the Sweetwater County community in the best way she knows how; fostering quality early childhood education and attempting to fill such vital needs in the community including, quality childcare and support for women, families, and single mothers. Her dedication to children has included operating her own childcare and preschool, directing the YWCA Early Care and Learning Center for 15 years, and most recently taking the role as Education Services Manager at Head Start. Marie has volunteered in a number of capacities that benefit early childhood education, the empowerment of women, and the support of victims of domestic violence. Her nominator states “Marie has given me and so many other women the courage to be independent, to stand up for what they believe in and know to be right, and to serve their community with their whole heart”. She has inspired her nominator to become a confident and independent young woman. Marie has spent her entire life in Sweetwater County and it has become clear that her future goals include continuing to serve the citizens as an early childhood educator. Marie has recently set personal goals in her venture as an avid road-cyclist. She embraces the time spent cycling both alone and with family, working toward being healthier and fostering her personal happiness.

   

3. Laura Schmid-Pizzato – As a social worker in Rock Spring Laura has spent the past fourteen years as Southwest Counseling Services’, Recovery Services Manager. Additionally, it has been her personal interest to research and utilize eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in therapy and treatment of fibromyalgia and other non-diagnosable conditions. Individuals have been quoted as saying “this course of treatment is amazing”. Laura’s volunteer resume is extensive as she has served as president of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council, Sweetwater County School District #1 Board Member, Wyoming Children’s Society Board Member, and Rock Springs Gymnastics President. Laura is not only a mentor to women in the community but to her children who have begun mimicking their mother’s love of Wyoming and commitment to its future. The Schmid-Pizzato Family has traveled from country to country helping the less fortunate, thinking of others and studying diligently to advance their education. Laura’s nominator stated “Laura exemplifies the kind person we want in our community and we should be shouting from the top of the bluffs that she is one of Sweetwater Counties finest”.

   

4. Amy Taylor – As a woman thriving in a predominantly male profession Amy demonstrates that gender should never be a barrier when considering professions or pursuing your dreams. Amy is a Wyoming State certified Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Apparatus Operator: Pumper, Apparatus Operator: Aerial, Car Seat Technician, and Wyoming Certified Paramedic. She is always striving to be the best that she can be despite her chosen profession that is both physically and mentally demanding. She is just as dedicated to her career as she is to her family, being a wife and mother. Amy is a role model to young girls eager to find a strong, healthy, positive role mentor. Her volunteer commitments have not only benefited Sweetwater County but Jackson Hole, Wyoming where she spent many hours at St. Johns Hospital emergency room and on the ambulance. Amy’s physical activity extends far beyond the fire department as she recently was a member of a long distance relay team that ran 180 miles. Her future goals are impressive as she would like to participate in a triathlon, a “major” marathon, obtain her bachelor’s degree, become an emergency medical services coordinator, and learn to be a super gardener. Amy’s nominator says “my two youngest daughters, and many in the community have nothing but the highest respect and regard for “Firefighter Amy”.

   

5. Katie Waldner – Katie is a Wyoming girl through and through. Growing up in Saratoga she spent her summers working at the family business; Wamsutter, Conoco. After graduating college she left Wyoming to work in San Diego but quickly returned to Wyoming to help run the family business. She utilized her degree in Communications and Marketing to benefit the business. Katie is described as high energy and always has great ideas. Katie recently left her comfort zone and decided to run for Mayor of Wamsutter. Wanting to continue the family legacy of working hard for the community they love she set out to run for public office. She has spent countless hours learning about the position and speaking with members of the town to get ideas and thoughts of what needs to be done. Katie volunteers for projects throughout Sweetwater County, was selected to serve on the Sweetwater Travel and Tourism Board. She recently assisted with the Town of Wamsutter’s Centennial Celebration, the Ken Waldner Memorial Race to benefit the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Oncology and Cancer Treatment Center, and she serves as Secretary of the Wamsutter Community Inc. Board. Katie’s nominee states “Katie always has fresh ideas, thinks outside the box and only says yes, with a smile when asked to help on community projects in Wamsutter and throughout Sweetwater County”. Her future goals include being elected as the Mayor of Wamsutter and making it the best community it can be. She wants to assist in making Wyoming a better place and feels that things should be “left better than they are found”.

   

6. Ruth Lauritzen – Ruth has dedicated a number of years as a member of the committee for Boy Scout Troop 312 in Green River. Serving as treasurer and her nominators “right hand” Ruth keeps close track of 45 boys and 10 leaders fundraising efforts throughout the year. Ruth assists with all aspects of the group as she sits in and helps plan and carry out events. She is also a personal support to each boy and the adults involved. At times she has even chaperoned camp for boys when not enough males were available. Ruth serves on her church board in which she has presented before city councils for many causes. Ruth is the Director of the Sweetwater County Museum in which she is a wealth of knowledge. Ruth was instrumental in the City of Green River being name “Railroad City”. Citizens have benefited from her historical programs throughout the years. Ruth’s nominator says “I cannot say enough of my esteem and admiration of this vibrant, fun, accomplished woman. I wish I had her skills and abilities. She is a treasure in our community”.

   

7. Brenda Cronk – Brenda works as a Clerk of Court and also a massage therapist. Having a degree in animal science it is no surprise that she is always looking for ways to help with animals. Brenda is a very caring person and “motherly” to all, people and animals alike and is very involved in her sons schooling and lives. She volunteers to assist with cooking for school activities along with organizing and helping with fundraisers. Recently she made a quilt that she donated to benefit a local organization. Her nominator states that “there is probably so much more she volunteers with that I don’t know about”. Her future goals will include continuing to care for people. She is looking to help someone. Brenda is a very giving person and her nominator states “I am glad to call her my friend”.

   

8. Heather Mortensen – Working since she was 14 years old has assisted Heather in becoming the woman she is today. Heather is a role model for women and girls alike, building her own legacy she has overcome challenging times but manages to not give up and be strong for herself and her children. Recently she decided to go back to school to pursue a degree. Working fulltime she is attending night classes in hopes of benefiting her community and employer. Though her plate is overflowing she still manages to volunteer for United Way of Southwest Wyoming as a loaned executive and has dedicated over 20 years to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, specifically working with teenage girls in the Young Women’s Program, and uses her “free time” to spend with the ill and elderly. Heather’s goals for the future are to continue her education in order to further advance in her career and continue to help take care of her family and friends, trying to make the world a better place. “She has a good heart”, her nominator states.

   

9. Brigida “Brie” Blasi – Beginning her career in museums with the Texas Historical Commission, did community outreach, led historical tours, worked with volunteers and interns, and designed and taught courses in museum studies. A Green River native, Brie returned to become the curator of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum in 2012 where she oversees an active and productive paid internship program. Brie has produced an exhibit on entertainment in the pre-television era and a traveling trunk program; an education outreach program used in local classroom that help teachers bring history and cultural diversity of Sweetwater Count to life. Brie provides educational tours of the museum to schools teaching them about history and local government. She has assisted with many events at the museum and is most proud of the exhibit “Foods of World War II”. Brie is always looking for a way to engage the community at the museum and in the heritage of Sweetwater County. Writers of history, genealogists with ancestors from the area, and lovers of local history all benefit from Brie’s research. Brie serves as treasurer for Wyoming Writers, Inc., Green River Historic Preservation Commissioners, is the treasurer and vice president of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, served the collections committee of the El Paso Holocaust Museum and volunteered in the archives of the C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections at UTEP. Brie inspires her colleagues and interns to be passionate about their roles as public servants and caretakers of the human service and is a role model to young girls who dream big. Her future goals include continuing her growth and development in the nonprofit field through both professional and volunteer endeavors.

   

10. Teddi Van Kam – “Teddi came into my life at a very difficult time as a caretaker for my husband as a patient of hospice” her nominator stated. “There were many workers and volunteers who participated in his care and they were all very caring, however Teddi was especially compassionate. Endearing herself to our entire family, she was there for us when he passed, attended the memorial service and continued to visit me after. I have great respect for her, she is so good at her profession”. Teddi started her nursing career in 1976 and has cared for individuals at nursing homes, in the OB, ER, Med-Surgery Unit, Recovery Room, Pediatrics, Geriatrics and most recently Hospice. She was instrumental in the development of Hospice in Sweetwater County and received Medicare certification. She has worn many hats within the agency including: Program Coordinator, Patient Care Coordinator, Executive Director and Director of Patient/Family Services. Teddi has volunteered for Little League, her church, served as treasurer for the Wyoming Hospice Organization, serves on the board for WWCC Nursing program and the Board of Directors for Western Wyoming Family Planning. Aside from her dedication to her career of caring for others and volunteering in the community she is a wife, mother of three sons and grandmother to four boys.

Woman of Legacy

1. Merrillyn Shanebrook – Described as a “prime example” of a woman of legacy. Merrillyn is always available to assist her community and those individuals who need help. Upon retirement, Merrillyn has volunteered for many entities. Her dedication to the Golden Hour Senior Center includes serving as President of the Board for the past six years and shows what a selfless person she truly is. Merrillyn’s past experience as an EMT and working with Medicaid/Medicare billing has allowed her to continue to assist seniors that visit the Center. Merrillyn has always stepped up to assist wherever and whenever needed including, covering shifts in the kitchen, being the janitor when the Senior Center was short staffed, delivering meals when drivers are unavailable, providing transportation to patrons, donating countless hours for events, and showing concern when homebound seniors may be in trouble. In addition to all of her contributions to the Golden Hour Senior Center Merrillyn has dedicated countless hours to her church; serving on the board and most recently assisting with the sale and distribution of the property. Merrillyn’s nominator quotes Hemmingway saying, “Courage is grace under pressure” describes Merrillyn to a T. Merrillyn exudes a humble and approachable manner while conveying strength of mind, high moral fiber and backbone. She demonstrates the resolve to act right in the face of opposition and challenge. Merrillyn is steadfast in her devotion and loyalty to her community, family and friends and is a true inspiration to all that know her”.

   

2. Leslie Jo Gatti – Leslie Jo has worked and volunteered at numerous positions literally all over the world, including Colorado Springs, CO; Killeen, TX ; and Seoul, South Korea; just to name a few. Having a husband on active duty in the military allowed her these opportunities. In 1994, after his retirement, they returned to Rock Spring where Leslie Jo worked at the C Street Library for nearly 20 years. Leslie Jo’s nominator says “Leslie Jo has forever followed her own path, regardless of whether it was the “expected” or “norm”. She has served as the president of the General Federation of Women’s Club, Rock Spring Woman’s Club, is the current treasurer and is the president elect for the state affiliate of the GFWC, is a member of the recently formed GFWC Legacy Club, and was active in the former local Christian Science Society. Leslie Jo is also passionate about animal rescue. She has volunteered with the Red Desert Humane Society, assisted in several adoption events, collects items for the RDHS wish list and participates in the aluminum can recycling drive. Her nominator states “Although Leslie Jo is not a native of Rock Spring she has made this her home. As such she wants to help improve the area in whatever ways she is able”.

   

3. Donna Toly – Donna retired from Sweetwater County School District #1 in the spring of 2014 after 35 years. During her years at the district she was a Home Economics teacher and spent the remaining 18 years as the Director of Food Service. Always striving to promote lifelong learning in many areas of our community and with all age groups. Donna is a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she serves as treasurer, Wyoming State Food Service Trainer and Presenter for county and state programs, Wyoming SNA Board Member, Teacher and presenter for Sweetwater County Museum Melting Pot Programs and Project Linus Sweetwater County Coordinator. She give numerous hours to the community by means of volunteering as a secondary teacher with “21 Century” craft programs, International Day participant, Boys & Girl Scout Merit Badge Councilor, Scouting for food volunteer, Summer Feeding Program volunteer, Sweetwater County School District #1 Foundation program and this year she has returned to the classroom to fill in as a teacher until a replacement can be found for the Child Development and Skills for Healthy Living classes. Donna’s nominator states “Donna is like the ever ready bunny, she keeps going and going. The woman can do anything in the kitchen, in front of a sewing machine, volunteering or walking for a cause”. Her goals for the future are to do some traveling, help volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes Soup kitchen, teach cultural programs and continue to coordinate the Project Linus program and teach sewing classes to students young and old.

   

4. Karen Ennis –Karen is described as a woman of integrity, strength, gratitude, generosity, selflessness, commitment, and faith. While spending 19 years at Head Start she impacted the lives of many young mothers, children, teachers and staff along with being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Karen’s nominator says “she impacted me as a woman, a daughter, a mother and an advocate for my children”. She encourages other to willingly give of themselves, their time and whatever resources available to give back to others. Karen has demonstrated a commitment to her community by volunteering in various roles at her church, for United Way, Headstart, Rock Springs High School and Relay for Life events. Her future goals include volunteering in the schools as “grandma” reading to kids. She would like to eventually move to Farson where she can grow her garden and spend as much time as she can with family.

5. Barbara Gillio – Barbara’s nominator states “Barbara is a diamond, an effervescent personality that draws people in with her flash, her wit, and keeps them mesmerized with her sparkle.” Logging more than 1,200 hours over the last 35 years volunteering at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Barbara has cheered and comforted patients, merchandised and bought for the gift ship, delivered interoffice mail, assisted at health fairs and now serves as the volunteer president of the Auxiliary Board. Barbara also includes her church in her volunteer recipients, serving at the soup kitchen, cleaning, setting up funeral dinners and comforting bereaved families. She is always the first person at the door with food and kind words when someone she knows has lost a loved one or suffered an illness. Barbara also worked for Owlfie’s flowers and was known for her creative talents and the “little extra” she gave to customers searching for that perfect gift. Barbara works hard to assure that despite all setbacks and loss her extended family stays intact. Nephews, nieces, children, step children and grandchildren find an open heart and a loving reception when entering her home. When asked about future plans Barbara’s response is always the same “the future is uncertain; live with an admirable appreciation for the power of now. Do good now. Be happy now. Notice beauty now. If you do all that with faith, tomorrow will take care of itself.”