DSNWK
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on Oct. 18. 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 - Neva Holub
Hays - Annette Anschutz, Karli Beck, Carol Bedore, Joshua Bieker, Karen Edwards, Shae Jerome, Darcy Kaiser, Alison Krier, Wade Kruse, Tiara Lawson, Dilene Reinhardt, Lisa Raudis, Scott Stults, Audrey Ummel
Hill City - Dawn Bell
Hoxie - Debbie Klaver
Norton - Kylee Ford, Ward Grammon, Bethany Wollard
Russell - Rita Avila, Robin Barrett, Anita Gerhardt, Samantha Rees
Stockton - Emily Jackson, Mary Wise
Recognition was made to seven people who retired from DSNWK over the past year. They were; Mary Ahlemeyer and Lisa Shearer of Norton, Roger Prideaux and Beverly Drain of Atwood, Greg Askins, and Patti Hoffman of Hays and Aida LeClaire of Hill City.
Special recognition was also paid to two staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Nolan Schuckman of Hays and Martina Urban of Atwood were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.
Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Kristen King and Savannah Rose who are attending Colby Community College. 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:
Hays - Ethan Asuncion, Justin Boden, Stephanie Bohonicky, Todd Chaney, Kacey Dannels, Lakin Eckroat, Josh Finger, Hunter Flinn, Tara Herrman, Jeanne Jones, Joshua Leiker, Raylynn Lumpkin, Justin Manly, Trudi Mapes, Billie Powell, Travian Price, Kylie Reddig, Eric Rome, Joshua Rupe, Theron Schmidt, Brooke Schroeder
Hill City - Adrian Wolf
Recognition was given to Marie Brier of Hays who retired after 32 years of continuous employment in the community
DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK. Anthony Burgess of Russell and Ethan Kuhlmann of Hays 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. The Arc of Central Plains in Hays 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 Amy Schmierbach of Hays for her outstanding support to individuals served by DSNWK through her Collaborative Arts Project. Recognition was made to volunteer Becky Vickers of Hoxie with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Award. Vickers has donated countless hours of her time to supporting those served at DSNWK’s Hoxie program.
Finally, DSNWK recognized two longtime supporters of DSNWK for their support with it’s Vision of Hope Awards. Gary and Pat Albrecht and Dave and Yeyette Houfek, 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.