DSNWK
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on Oct. 22. 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 – Sheena Brogan, Marsha Eastep, Keith Huntington, Kimberly Leitner, Stephanie Pelkey
- Hays – Eileen Anderson, Jeff Baczkowski, Joshua Balman, Jonathan Baumfalk, Jeremy Grizzle, Dale Haag, Dustin Harman, Cindy Harwood, Patti Hoffman, Terry Hunt, Steve Keil, Jeannie Komarek, Deanna Leiker, Dan Miller, Joshua Robben, Tami Rummel, Ryan Ruth, LeeAnn Schmidtberger, Nolan Schuckman, Denise Stritt, Valarie Strobel, Mark Tomanek, Cedric Venard, Angela Wahlmeier, Troy West, Paul Wildeman
- Hill City – Kelly Dobberstein, Justin Hrabe, Troy West
- Hoxie – Avis Herl
- Norton – Mary Ahlemeyer, Kathy Plummer, Lisa Shearer
- Russell – Marsha Niehoff, Dawn Rose, Herb Shumaker
- Stockton – Kristi Luetters
Herbie Shumaker, program coordinator in Russell was recognized for his honorable mention for ANCOR’s 2019 Direct Support Professional of the Year Award.
Special recognition was also paid to three staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Tammy Dreiling of Hays, Kathy Plummer of Norton, and Marcie Vrbas of Atwood were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.
Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Karli Beck and Brianna Martin 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 – Janey Engleman, James Goscha, Cheryl Hartzog, Cheri Hutchison
- Hays – Taylor Barrett, Treyshawn Blackmon, Justin Boden, Tim Brier, Preston Browning, Ryan Hoag, Neil Kuhn, Brittany Molnar, Bo Neeley, Ben Rose, Dallas Rupp, Shannon Sander, Justyn Staab, Chuck Stansbury, and Garrett Williams
- Hill City – Tallas McNabb, Myriah Penrod
- Phillipsburg – Ed Rybeck
- Russell – Steven Madsen
DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK.
Hays residents Lucas Albers and Brian Rietcheck were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year.
Awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon.
Schnee’s Hometown Brand Center in Atwood 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 Hoxie Hotrodders – Lions Club for their outstanding support to individuals served by DSNWK with their Cruise Night event.
Recognition was made to two area thrift stores with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Awards. The Rawlins County Thrift Store in Atwood and the Trinity Methodist Thrift Store in Russell were recognized for their support of the people served by DSNWK and community involvement.
Finally, DSNWK recognized two long time supporters of DSNWK for their support with its Vision of Hope Awards. Don and Chris Bickle and Rick and Gail Kuehl, both of Hays, were honored. DSNWK paid tribute to both of these couples for their outstanding support over the
years for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
DSNWK is a 501c3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.