DSNWK
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on September 29. Awards were given throughout the afternoon to staff, persons served, and community members.
The first awards of the afternoon were given to employees of DSNWK for their years of service. Those staff recognized and listed by location, were:
Atwood – Amber Barnett, Karen Focke, Betty Hafer, Roger Prideaux, Martina Urban, Barbara Wolters
Hays – Kathyrn Beckley, Robert Begler, Charmane Besperat, Derek Crabtree, Matthew Detherage, Terri Farrington, Amber Farrell, Anna Findley, Connie Fross, Sandra Garner, Jeremy Goodale, Connie Hendrix, Jenna Jacobs, Abu Kaba, LeAnne Kroeger, Tammy Lawson, Edward Olden, Janet Pfanenstiel, Jeff Saindon, Leah Schlyer, Linda Schoenthaler
Hill City – Deena Newell, Vincent Walker
Russell – Sheila Bosch, Tamara Lynch, Julie Quakenbush
Stockton – Ann Forell
DSNWK gave special recognition to six staff members who made successful efforts in coming to the aid of persons served by DSNWK in need and providing emergency assistance. Those recognized were: Jesse Babcock of Hill City, Bri Robinson of Hays, Dawn Rose of Russell, Kelsey Obermiller and Maria Tipton and Jessica Zink of Norton. Special recognition was also paid to one staff member for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Jeannie Komarek of Hays was presented with the Employee of the Year Award.
Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Rikki Krejci of Russell and Mary Wise of Stockton. These awards were given from the Jerelyn Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund for employees studying in higher education in a field related to serving people with developmental disabilities.
Several awards were given to individuals served by DSNWK for achievement through employment and independence. Those receiving awards and listed by location were:
Atwood – Janey Engleman, J. Lynn Lohoefener
Ellis – Homer Edwards
Hays – Jessica Boeckner, Marie Brier, Kacey Dannels, Jackie Hashenberger, Bobby Heard, Shad Jay, Judy Leiker, Nicholas Leis, Raylynn Lumpkin, Ramona Schmitt, Asia Schonthaler
Hill City – Gerald Hasenbank
Russell – Glen Geschwentner, Steven Madsen, Orrin Stephenson
Three individuals served by DSNWK received their Improvement Awards. This award recognizes individuals served by DSNWK who has demonstrated greater independence by moving to a less restrictive living environment. Jenny Cronn, Val Stradal and Sabrina Young of Hill City received the awards.
DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK. Lakin Eckroat of Hays and Joe Newton of Russell were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year. Chris Beckman of Oakley was presented with one of DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Awards for his community volunteer efforts. Annette Norman of Hays was presented with DSNWK’s Fitness Award for her dedication to exercising, losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle.
Several awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon. They were: Graham County EMS of Hill City, who received DSNWK’s Employer of the Year Award for their outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workforce. The Community Support Award was presented to both the ARC of Central Plains and TMP-Marian High School of Hays for the outstanding support that they display to the individuals that DSNWK serves through their Christmas project. Finally, DSNWK’s second Good Neighbor Award was presented to Phyllis Strecker of Hays who has shown outstanding support to an individual served by DSNWK.