Russell woman receives DSNWK Community Support Award

Nancy Aspegren with the Russell Sunrise Kiwanis accepts DSNWK's Community Support Award. Andy Beck, DSNWK Chairman of the Board (Left) and Jerry Michaud (right), present the award. — Nancy Aspegren with the Russell Sunrise Kiwanis accepts DSNWK’s Community Support Award. Andy Beck, DSNWK Chairman of the Board (left) and Jerry Michaud (right), present the award.

By STEVE KEIL
DSNWK

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on September 27th. 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 – April Dunker, Dale Merz, Denni Rehmer
Hays – Greg Askins, Howard Barnes, Sara Biggs, Deb Braun, Corey Brooks, Carrie Brungardt, Janet Brungardt, Leanna Carrier, Peter Cochran, Kasey Dreiling, Donna Fay, Dan Hecker, Ashley Howell, John Kreutzer, Amanda Lawson, David Lawson, Virginia Linenberger, Gerard Michaud, David Musgrove, Murrae Rebarchek, Christopher Schmidt, Kathleen Spears, Sue Stephens, Brian Street and Zahariah Utley, Lance Van Kooten, Coletta VonFeldt, Les Wilson
Hoxie – Linda Pope
Hill City – Darryl Clark, Connie Yakish
Norton – Kristi Chesterman
Russell – Christina Bourland, Shonna Leiker
Stockton -Michelle Storz

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: Jasmine Bright, Gwen Klaus, Jacqueline Lattin and Emma Williams of Hays, and Vicky Chessmore and Karen Focke of Atwood. Special recognition was also paid to two staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Ann Forell of Stockton and Herbert Shumaker of Russell were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.

A $100 scholarship award was presented to Alex Bergmeier of Hays. This award was 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. Those receiving awards and listed by location were:
Atwood – Tyler Britt

Linda Wildeman accepts her award of 30 years of employment through DSNWK's Employment Connections. Wildeman currently works at Whiskey Creek in Hays. — Linda Wildeman accepts her award of 30 years of employment through DSNWK’s Employment Connections. Wildeman currently works at Whiskey Creek in Hays.

Hays – Dean Boeckner, Don Furrey, Richard Graf, Duane Gross, Jacob Houghton, Tyler F. Jones, Michael Lee, Bill Legleiter, Eric Legleiter, Anthony Morgan, Cindy Munsinger, Crystal Oborny, Brian Rietcheck, Alan Roberts, Ramona Schmitt, James Shelor, Bret Skinner, Avon Smith, David Smith, Joshua Smith, Kurtis Steckline, Sid Toll, Jason Watkins, Linda Wildeman
Hill City – Jenny Cronn, Rebecca Rohr, Alexander Weishaar, Sabrina Young
Norton – Justin Bainter, Dustan Daniels, Bill Hadley
Russell – William Dornan
Phillipsburg – Renee O’Rourke
WaKeeney – Michail Bird

DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK. Riley Green of Hays and Kelly Fisher of Atwood were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year. Vickie Shelor of Hays was presented with DSNWK’s Fitness Award for her dedication to exercising, losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle.

Dee Ekwell with Chartwell's at Fort Hays State University accepts DSNWK's Employer of the Year Award. BJ Hiser, Director of Programs and Services presents the award. — Dee Ekwell with Chartwell’s at Fort Hays State University accepts DSNWK’s Employer of the Year Award. BJ Hiser, Director of Programs and Services presents the award.

Awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon. Chartwell’s – McMindes at FHSU, 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 the Russell Sunrise Kiwanis for their outstanding support to individuals served by DSNWK in Russell.