D2
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
About speaker Shae Caldwell Shae Caldwell was the 2020 Woman of Achievement in busi- ness. She and her husband, Jeff, co- own Whitetail Screen Print and Whitetail Cycle Sport at 507 N. Jeffers St. The Caldwells own the Whitetail building as well as the 1931 Paramount Theatre Building, which sits near the 1929 Fox Theatre and Hotel Pawnee at East Fifth Street and Bailey Avenue. In September 2020, she and Jeff bought Parkade Plaza, the strip in downtown North Platte. Shae was instrumental in the development of Blackledge Park, dedicated in 2019 at Sixth and Jeffers streets. She is a member of the North Platte Trails Network and involved with the North Platte Public Schools Foundation; North Platte Parks, Recreation and Wellness Foundation, North Platte Chamber Hostesses; North Platte Area Chamber Economic Development Committee and the North Platte Downtown Association. In 2019, Shae received the North Platte Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists MEDICAL
Jenny Lantis and Jasmine Hahn
Lantis has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is certified in infec- tion prevention and control. Her prior experience includes dialysis clinic management and nursing care. She earned a Six Sigma black belt from Villanova University. She has re- ceived the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award and made significant contributions to the hospital’s Quest for Excellence Nebraska Hospital Association award for antimicrobi- al stewardship. She is president of the Greater Omaha Association of Professionals in Infection Control chapter and has presented at several Nebraska conferences. She has volun- teered with local school and church groups. Hahn is a bachelor’s prepared regis- tered nurse whose experience at GPH and elsewhere includes utilization re- view, case management, dialysis clinic management, home dialysis nursing, nursing service coordinator, charge nurse and clinical staff educator.
ship for a mask reprocessing center that served not only the hospital but the surrounding community, includ- ing law enforcement, EMTs, physician clinics and hospitals as far away as Broken Bow. They have guided infection control processes, managed COVID-19 testing, managed leaves fromwork for indi- viduals who tested positive, helped manage protocols and distribution of trial medications, and guided distribu- tion of the vaccine. They also provided COVID-19 planning and preparedness consultations to local schools and busi- nesses. “These are just a few of the many contributions of this two-per- son team,” wrote hospital CEOMel McNea. “Jenny and Jasmine have selfless- ly made themselves available around the clock, seven days a week, to med- ical staff, employees, patients and their families to assist with whatever is needed to manage this pandemic,” Petersen wrote.
Nurses Jenny Lantis and Jasmine Hahn were nominated as a team for their efforts at Great Plains Health amid the pandemic. “One could not have done without the other,” wrote Jan Wright, staff de- velopment/leadership coordinator for GPH. Lantis is the hospital’s infection prevention/control coordinator, and Hahn is the employee health nurse. The two have been instrumental in de- veloping and organizing health care practices and procedures during the pandemic. “Jenny and Jasmine displayed ex- ceptional leadership and astounding agility navigating GPH through the rapidly changing information and ex- pectations of this pandemic,” wrote Chief Quality Officer Barb Petersen. They worked from the start to ensure proper personal protective equip- ment was being secured and deployed despite nationwide shortages. Both provided expert guidance and leader-
We salute this year’s Women of Achievement nominees with a special congratulations to our very own GPHealth nominees.
Jenny Lantis, BSN, RN, CIC | Jasmine Hahn, BSN, RN | Renee Engler, MD
D3
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists MEDICAL
Renee Engler
Court as a Nebraska Health Care Association certified nursing in- structor, often working late after her regular shifts and on weekends. With her guidance and lead- ership, the Linden Court team has achieved a five-star rating for quality care from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, said Linden Court Administrator Nolan Gurnsey. “Throughout the years many sig- nificant employees have come and gone, but none come close to the su- periority of Lori Dye, R.N.,” said Susan Jameson, a charge nurse. cope with their injuries, physically and psychologically. “She is passionate about the safety and wellbeing of all women through- out our region and is dedicated to assuring no victim’s voice goes un- heard of is dismissed during their lifelong journey to recover,” Smith said. “She is clearly a pioneer in the Me Too movement.” Engler is involved in her church and with her twin sons’ school activ- ities.
County and Paxton volunteer EMS agencies, and she has edu- cated hundreds of providers as an advanced trauma life support in- structor throughout the region. Engler has been the medical di- rector for the sexual assault nurse examiners program for over 10 years. This program cares for the victims of physical and sexual as- saults, collects evidence to help bring perpetrators to justice, and arranges for ongoing communi- ty support services to help victims
She has worked at Great Plains Health since 2011, where she has been emergency department co- medical director, chief of the medical staff, vice chair of the clinical integration network and emergency medicine resident coor- dinator. She is past president of the Nebraska chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and continues to serve on its board of directors. She also volunteers as medi- cal director for Wallace, Frontier
Lori Dye is Linden Court’s in- fection control nurse. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she spent countless hours to ensure that both employees and residents were safe, and standards were met. “In early January 2020 I can still recall a conversation between Lori and I about the unique pneumonia in Wuhan that was spreading rap- idly,” Director of Nursing Jasmine Moore said. “During that conver- sation, Lori thought it would be best to begin formulating an emer- gency plan for this ‘COVID-19’ to keep the elderly residents at Linden Dr. Renee Engler has excelled in her field as a practicing board-certi- fied emergency medicine physician since 1999, not only as an accom- plished clinician impacting the lives of countless patients, but also in leadership and volunteer positions, according to nominator Dr. James Smith. “She has this past year been on the very front line in treating the ep- idemic of COVID patients without any concern for her own wellbeing,” he said.
Lori Dye
COVID-19 precautions or to help the staff with concerns regarding new policies and infection prevention. “To this day, it was because of Lori’s efforts and the strong positive team response to maintaining pre- cautions that many of our residents remain safe, healthy, and free from COVID-19,” Moore said. Dye is also the facility’s staff development nurse. She is an American Heart Association in- structor and conducts training in first aid, CPR, AED, and advanced cardiovascular care. In 2019, she initiated CNA classes at Linden
Court safe. As the months passed and COVID-19 progressed across the globe, Lori worked tirelessly to incorporate new evidence-based practice to uphold the standards of infection prevention within our skilled nursing facility.” No outside visitors were allowed during the pandemic, and Dye stressed to staff the importance of preventing exposure to the res- idents, as staff coming and going was their only vessel for infec- tion. Many weekends, late nights and overnights Lori would show up at Linden Court to assist with
Editor’s note: All finalists’ profiles are excerpted from the nomination forms.
Congratulations to 2021 Women
Congratulations Laurie Jones on your Women of Achievement nomination! Your family is so proud of you! Love, The Johnsons/Olguins
of Achievement finalist Andrea Hongsermeier
D4
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists EDUCATION
Kimberly Flanders
Her caring extends to her staff as well. “Kim makes us feel appreciated by sur- prising us with coffee or tea, having lunch brought in be- fore Christmas, and she even bought everyone a pizza to take home before Valentine’s Day,” wrote McDonald second-grade teacher Stephanie Bickford. In January 2020, Wood was among the first Nebraska co- hort to participate in the NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy, an award-winning professional learning program for principals and other school leaders.
Nine years ago, she had the opportunity to become a prin- cipal and since has led Cody, Buffalo and McDonald elemen- taries. “I have often seen her go- ing above and beyond to make sure a student has what they need (food, clothing, emotion- al support) so they can focus on learning while at school,” wrote Tamran Berol, a school secretary. “Most recently I have seen her advocate to help struggling brothers with food, shoes, clothes, toiletries, coats and even transportation.”
her leadership abilities and dedicates untold amounts of time both at home and at the school to ensuring school is run in a positive manner. She prides herself on know- ing the names of the students in her school and often goes out of her way to make sure that their individual needs are being met. Flanders began teaching in North Platte Public Schools in 1995, teaching third through fifth grades, and then became a K-5 instructional coach, all the while continuing her education and raising three daughters.
Kimberly Flanders is the principal of McDonald Elementary School in North Platte and has been involved in all aspects of education from teaching, reading coordinator and principal at multiple ele- mentary schools. Her dedication to three North Platte schools — Cody, Buffalo and McDonald — has greatly impacted the staff, the children and, ultimately, the communi- ty of North Platte, wrote her mother, Sally Jo Hoaglund, in nominating her. She has re- ceived numerous awards for
Stephanie Phye
things in an effort to make them smile and give them hope during such a difficult year.” Besides All Seasons, Phye has worked hard to help many other day cares improve, Michelle Whips said. “The day care that she opened, All Seasons, at Linden Estates is incredible, not only
for the children but for the resi- dents,” Whips said. “Seeing joy on both young and old is a ma- jor accomplishment. Now she is working with the North Platte community day care to make it better for the children and staff. She works so hard for our kids and the people that work for her.”
tor Amber Lovenburg, Phye’s daughter and employee. Phye incorporates generational care by working closely with Linden Estates and Linden Court. During the pandemic she has helped keep residents’ spirits high by safely providing in- teraction with the children. “She has implemented so many
Stephanie Phye owns the All Seasons Intergenerational Learning Center at Linden Court and Linden Estates. She is also a member of the North Platte Communities for Kids core team. “She is a vital part of our early childhood education community,” said nomina-
Pam Wood
the face of and as a result of COVID-19 that were not easy, but they were always what was best for the students in her care. She did not choose the path of least resistance, nor the path that would make the most people happy ... She chose the path that ensured our stu- dents would be kept safe, and the path that allowed McDaid to offer and maintain in-person learning. We are proud of her work and proud to have her as part of our staff.”
She became principal in 2016. You can find her in her office by 6:30 a.m. every day, getting a jump on the tasks at hand, planning for the day, and quite often sharing conversation and a granola bar with a student in need of both, Dodson said. Kevin Dodson, superinten- dent of North Platte Catholic Schools, said the pandemic “has brought to the forefront all of Pam’s strength as a lead- er and advocate for students. She has made decisions in
As a teacher at McDaid Elementary for 26 years, Wood guided students through the milestone year of second grade. She helped lay not only an ed- ucational foundation, but also a faith foundation, as sec- ond grade is when Catholic students first receive the sac- raments of reconciliation and Communion. As her classroom career lengthened at McDaid, Pam took on with ease the role of mentoring new teachers and encouraging her peers.
With a career that’s spanned over three decades at the North Platte Catholic Schools, McDaid Elementary Principal Pam Wood is a veteran educa- tor “who also holds a master’s in caring for kids,” according to nominator Wendy Dodson. Every facet of McDaid Elementary has been touched by Wood’s faith, wisdom and leadership,” Dodson said. “Generations of students, fami- lies and fellow teachers are all better for having known her.”
D5
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists GOVERNMENT
Mona Anderson
Angela Blaesi
Angela Blaesi loves her day care kids. In 2020, she expanded her focus to North Platte children of all ages, running for and winning a seat on the North Platte school board. Blaesi operates the only North Platte child care center rated at Step 4 by the state’s Step Up to Quality program. During the pandemic, she not only kept her childcare center, but she also received her child development associate credential and finished over 165 hours of continuing education. “She then ran for school board and won the election because she cares so much for the children in our community,” said her daughter Evelyn Blaesi. Blaesi is president of the Miss Nebraska Board of Directors and di- rector of the Miss Nebraska Little Sisters program. She is part of the Communities for Kids collaborative and the Rooted in Relationships ini- tiative. She is also studying for her associate’s degree at Mid-Plains Community College. Larissa Lunzman, whose children go to Angela Blaesi’s Childcare, said of Blaesi: “Angela is committed to providing quality day care to her com- munity, provides early education and loves her day care kids as her own.”
Mona Anderson is executive director of Keep North Platte/Lincoln County Beautiful. She is very involved in the city of North Platte, educating students about the importance of recycling and reusing, and has had contests to rein- force that message. She has helped earn many state and national awards for her KNPLCB work. “Mona is a great inspiration to everyone who has worked with her, wheth- er it was cleaning up the North Platte river banks, cleaning downtown north Platte, working with teams who clean the litter along Lincoln County roads,” said nominator Patty Clark, “and she has been instrumental in helping peo- ple complete community service hours.” Clark was a senior work-study student for Anderson in 2015-16. When she is not working in her office or the community, she is helping her daughter, Reese, with her horse, school and activities.
Laurie Jones
Laurie Jones went to work for the Social Security Administration at age 16 through a work-study program at North Platte High School. Some 40 years later, Jones remains with the agency as district manager. Outside her normal responsibility in four offices located in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island and Norfolk, she is routinely called upon to trav- el to help other offices in the Midwest Region, including Omaha and Kansas City. Laurie brings and enthusiastic and friendly attitude to her work each day. During the pandemic, she has been managing the office daily on her own, while letting the rest of her staff work remotely. “What is truly impressive to me is how I have been able to refer numerous surviving spouses (primarily widows) to Laurie, to have her give a cogent and helpful explanation of their Social Security opportunities following the death of (a) spouse,” said nominator Terry Waite, a lawyer. Whether the widow lived in Jones’ district or not, “Laurie has always been extremely ap- proachable and helpful to those grieving widows in their time of need while taking it upon herself to personally help them navigate through the Social Security application process.”
9W Q32p n2+ r.W r Tr.X p2.QW.f
D6
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
SOCIAL SERVICES 2021 Women of Achievement Finalists
Andrea Hongsermeier
Jenny Bonta
Andrea Hongsermeier has been the executive director of the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center since 2019. She started in 2017 as a volunteer and that fall was offered a full-time position as an advocate and a certified forensic inter- viewer. Hongsermeier’s position requires her to work closely with local law enforce- ment, public schools and other organizations. “Ms. Hongsermeier is one of the most professional and caring advocates, interviewers and natural leaders I have worked with in my 20 years in law en- forcement,” wrote Sgt. Larry Meyer of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Meyer said he has worked with her on dozens of cases involving investigations of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. She spends countless hours helping the abused children in the community, not only through training, but also by raising money and applying for grants to keep Bridge of Hope open, according to her mother-in-law, KimHongsermeier. In addition to her work with Bridge of Hope, Hongsermeier finds time to vol- unteer. She is a North Platte Library board member, volunteers at the Senior Center and delivers Meals on Wheels, and volunteers at Fur the Love of Paws. She spearheaded a shoe drive for children in need. This Christmas, she collect- ed donations of food, clothing and gifts for a family who didn’t have anything, KimHongsermeier said.
Jenny Bonta is the executive director of North Platte’s Rape/Domestic Abuse Program. She has worked with the agency off and on since 2004 and has been executive director since 2015. With her leadership and vision, RDAP has improved its sustainabil- ity by securing new office and shelter facilities, said nominator Kelley Hasenauer. She has also mentored many women in the community. She has shown great leadership and passion for her community through team-based fundraising initiatives with other agencies such as Habitat for Humanity and People’s Family Health Services. In April 2018, Bonta was inspired to start a local philanthropy, “100 Women Who Care North Platte.” As part of its executive planning team, she has helped raise over $85,000 in unrestricted funds for nonprofits in the community. She continues to work tirelessly every quarter, coor- dinating presentations and verifying eligibility through Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation. Not only is she active in her community, but she has also served on state-level committees and task forces, ensuring that the rural perspec- tive is ref lected in statewide efforts. “The core of Jenny’s strengths ties to her ability to truly desire safety and the best support possible for survivors of domestic and sexual vi- olence, and to ultimately strive to end violence in her community, our state, and beyond,” Lynne Lange, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, wrote in a letter support- ing Bonta’s nomination. ” “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” —L ouisa M ay a Lcott , author “
]jl|YUSpUvjlW ¡ vl vl| jl KjSY ¤jnl j~ {yvQnlU ljnvlUvjl vl xSWvlWW
The North Platte Public Schools congratulate Kimberley Flanders, Principal of McDonald School and Angela Blaesi, School Board Member for their nominations for 2021 Women of Achievement
{ ]SU {jQ , pjl l , \ ¢ nvpK
Kimberley Flanders
Angela Blaesi
D7
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
SOCIAL SERVICES 2021 Women of Achievement Finalists
Sara Gentry
School social work is a specialized field of practice devoted to school- age children and families in an educational host environment. School social workers wear many hats including truancy officer, case manager, student and parent advocate, student mediator, counselor and distributor of resources. Typically, they are the only social worker on campus, and so they serve a unique role within their schools as well as conducting in- home visits. In that role, Sara Gentry of Brady brought “Good Behavior Games” to local and surrounding schools, and instructed teachers in the program. Nominator Arlee Gentry said Sara is constantly developing presentations for school boards and the administration “so that everyone on every front will understand the positive aspects of the school social worker program.” Sara also volunteers on many levels to better the community. Concerns addressed by school social workers include advocacy, atten- dance, bullying, need for community resources, coordinating homebound education, homelessness, home visits, suicidality, special populations, stu- dents with disabilities, and any other issues that may impede or inhibit students’ academic success. “Sara is an amazing school social worker. She is constantly coming up with innovative new ways to interact with children,” Arlee Gentry said, as well as “demonstrating how healthy relationships can enhance the lives of young people. Positive reinforcement is very important in young lives and the ability to get that across is not an easy task, because every child is different. Sara shows incredible patience and understanding to- wards everyone.” ” “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” —M arie C urie , sCientist “
We are so very proud of you for being nominated a 2021Women of Achievement. You make a difference.
Congratulations Stephanie Phye from your staff and daycare kids!
D8
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists CULTURAL ARTS
Jessica Hill
Paulette Stefka
Jessica Hill of North Platte is “a mother of three who has not only chased her passions, but shares her talent with the community that she calls home,” ac- cording to nominator Chantel Burch. Hill, a professional artist, has won numerous awards in art shows in the community and surrounding areas, but still finds time to give back to the com- munity. Last year she was a Girl Scouts “artVenture” artist mentor and taught young girls how to create pastel animal portraits. She also donated signifi- cant time and labor to create a cloud backdrop for the North Platte Community Playhouse’s production of “Mamma Mia!” last summer. She has created two wing murals that have aided in the beautification of North Platte for the #in- spiringwingsnp movement: one at the Do-It Center and the other on the Mr. Appliance building. She donated over 80 hours of painting time to the 2018 Paws on the Platte event to raise funds and awareness for Paws-itive Partners. Hill has created a series of five paintings for the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center in North Platte and Ogallala. Her images are colorful and comforting. While Jessica is an independent artist, her leadership skills shine when she is teaching others. She will soon have her own classroom. “I couldn’t be more proud to be a fan, a supporter and a friend of this woman of achievement,” Burch wrote.
Paulette Stefka has been a lifelong resident of North Platte and strives to be an involved community member, nominator Jane Wilkinson says. Stefka was a founding member of the North Platte Area Children’s Museum “and helped bring this gem for children to life,” Wilkinson wrote. She has vol- unteered in many organizations, including Creativity Unlimited Arts Council, of which she is a former board member; North Platte Community Playhouse; and Prairie Arts Center. She is an Art Study League member. She has been a board member and past scholarship chair for the Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant and continues to volunteer for the organization. As a volunteer at Great Plains Health, she has accrued over 5,000 volunteer hours over 20 years. Other organizations that have benefited from her volunteer involvement in- clude the North Platte Public Schools Foundation, Linden Court, Goodfellow Shoe Fund Board, PEO and the Foster Care Review Board. Reaching beyond the North Platte community, she also volunteers across the state. She has been a Humanities Nebraska Council member since 2015 and in 2020 also joined the organization’s foundation board. She is also on the board of the Lied Center for the Performing Arts in Lincoln. Stefka worked for 32 years as a speech language pathologist at ESU 16. She is a past president and head negotiator for the ESU 16 Association.
Congratulations Laurie on your Nomination for the Women of Achievement Award! You have been serving the public for 45 years this year and we cannot think of anyone more deserving! Your strong and positive leadership has carried us through these unprecedented times
Congratulations
Mrs. Wood! for being named a 2021 Women of Achievement FINALIST
as we continue to serve the public. Good Luck from all of us at the North Platte Social Security Office.
From your North Platte Catholic Schools family
Pam Wood
D9
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists VOLUNTEER
Alyssa Fabik
leader and game director. She lends her talent as a Facebook editor for the church. She also volunteers as digital coordi- nator for Mothers of Preschoolers, where she assists with a digital story every two weeks that appears on Facebook. She also acts in these videos and has mailed activi- ty packets to the MOPS Kids. Since 2004, she has been a timer for over 15 races a year sponsored by the Platte River Fitness Series and also helps with set-up and tear-down. In 2020, she became assistant director of PRFS.
Revolution, she created plaques for Buffalo Bill’s Scout’s Rest Ranch to help tell the stories of the photographs that are being restored there. Fabik took on the project “with no finite number for plaques and has donated the time, materials and la- ser equipment at Bible Supplies,” Gertsch wrote. For the Westfield Business Association, she manages promotion and social media as well as helping at events. At Bethel Church, she has been a Sunday school teacher, Awana helper, story-time
Alyssa Fabik “isn’t a ‘f lash in the pan’ volunteer out for the honor, she just ‘does’ and has the record to back it up for over 17 years,” wrote Marie Gertsch, who nomi- nated her. Fabik is partner and vice president of marketing at Bible Supplies, where she is the head laser art and concept designer and manages advertising and social me- dia. She uses her professional skills in her volunteer work as well. For the Daughters of the American
Michelle Lupomech
amendments and the Bill of Rights. In light of the economic hardships facing many families, Michelle appealed to lo- cal businesses to provide basic supplies for children who do not have pencils, pens, erasers, marking pens, clay and other ma- terials. “I would love to volunteer. Please call me whenever you need help,” were Lupomech’s first words when she met Wendy Dodson, executive director of the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment- Trust. Dodson added, “Michelle quickly became our go-to volunteer for nearly any task at hand.” Often she feeds the Catholic priests when they gather in North Platte. Moreover, Lupomech performs service with other clubs, societies and organizations such as Rotary.
recognize and honor veterans,” wrote nom- inator Molly O’Holleran. She helped organize and honor POW- MIAs at the America’s 20th Century Veterans Memorial. As a co-chair of DAR Constitution Week, she distributed American f lags, Constitution Week bro- chures, manuals for citizenship and Flag Code leaf lets. She led her committee to ob- tain a proclamation from the mayor to commemorate Constitution Week. Although the pandemic reduced par- ticipation in Wreaths Across America, Lupomech helped organize “Bells Across America” and similar patriotic efforts. In addition, she writes personal cards to mili- tary veterans and active-duty military. Volunteering in schools included putting displays in schools about the Constitution, families, myself included, to receive the as- sistance that was needed at that point in time,” wrote her niece, Mendi McCuiston. Smith worked many years at RDAP, where she was able to make an impact on the lives of those who were in the middle of extreme trauma. She currently works with families that have been split apart by parental actions that led to court involve- ment, and she is establishing a nonprofit Shirlene Smith
Michelle Wickizer Lupomech’s service to the community is ref lected in historical preservation, patriotism and education. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Sioux Lookout Chapter, did ex- tensive historic preservation at the Scout’s Rest Ranch Barn. Lupomech helped clean the barn, hang the historic photos of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and ar- ranged a Victorian Tea to celebrate Scout’s Rest Ranch at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park designation as a National Historic Landmark. Lupomech is con- serving and preserving historical and genealogical materials by helping clean the mansion’s historic artifacts and mem- orabilia. “As a veteran herself, Michelle dem- onstrates infinite patriotic energy to
Shirlene Smith has made an impact on many lives in the community through her work with the Rape and Domestic Abuse Program, Salvation Army Jail Ministries and Guardian Light Family Services. She does not hesitate to help those in need and will follow through to ensure the help was received and the needs met. “She has set an example of self lessness, giving and faith that has helped many
organization rescuing horses to rehabil- itate them to, in turn, “rescue lost souls and give them a fresh look on a more posi- tive future,” McCuiston wrote. After spending hours working with families that need guidance, she returns home to work with horses that have been through traumatic situations themselves. She is also a part of the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska.
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021 D10
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists BUSINESS
children was priority one. In 1975, Fair went to work for Union Pacific. In 1978, she was promoted to man- ager. She worked at the diesel shop until 1984 and was then transferred to the yard office as manager of administration and purchasing. She traveled various locations with the railroad, learning all phases of each de- partment. She loved every aspect of the railroad and enjoyed working with people. She is a member of Our Redeemer Donna L. Fair
Donna Fair created Donna’s Office Service in 1994 after leaving Union Pacific for health reasons, and she continues to work with railroaders. She built the com- pany from scratch and now it reaches over 30 states, said nominator Julie E. Sprague. Fair started her employment with Nash Finch Co. for 10 years, then Crown Prince Packing in the Transportation Department. She enrolled in numerous night classes at Mid-Plains Community College. As a single parent, providing for her
Lutheran Church of North Platte. She was on the United Way and Crime Stoppers boards for 15 years each. She is a member of the Union Pacific Employees Club and NARVRE, working as secretary for the North Platte chapter. “She is not only an outstanding profes- sional business woman with impeccable customer service skills, but she is an out- standing employer with high moral and ethical standards,” wrote Sprague, who was hired by Fair in April 2020.
Robyn Foote
ership and is its dealer principal. Foote is a respected member of the NADA FF52 dealer 20 group, which is a group of 20 auto dealers from all over the United States who meet quarterly to re- view their business data and progress. Foote has four children “who accompa- nied her to work many, many times over the years,” Bill and Kathy Summers wrote. Moreover, “she treats her employee as if they are family, taking the business tag- line ‘Families are our business’ to heart,” wrote nominator Christine Anderson. years at activities to support North Platte Public Schools. He said King embodies this idea: “If you need help to get something challenging done, find one of the busiest/ hardest working people you know to help.” “Over her career Gina has carried her talents, lessons learned, relationships and accomplishments close to her heart,” he said, “and it is from this pure caring she has given and continues to give back to our community in so many ways, always with a smile, when a lot of others would have al- ready justly gone home.”
Summers Ford, Lincoln, Honda, Nissan. She worked for several years in the fi- nance department and worked her way up into sales management and then was gen- eral manager. She attended the National Auto Dealer Academy in McLean, Virginia, learning the details of each department of the auto dealership and becoming qualified to be- come a dealer principal. Now, after nearly 30 years of work- ing in the automobile business, she has purchased a major percentage of the deal-
Robyn Foote of Bill Summers Ford is one of very few women who own and oper- ate automobile dealerships. She started by selling cars and worked her way up in the business. After graduating from Kansas State University, she went to work selling vehi- cles at a Ford dealership in Lincoln. She then went to work for her parents, Bill and Kathy Summers, in Concordia, Kansas, as a finance manager. She moved with them to North Platte in 1998 when they purchased the business now called Bill Gina King is the owner of A Cut Above Salon & Spa in North Platte. Nominator Joe Staroska lauded her personal guidance and compassion toward her employees, along with her management and business skills. “Even as a very young adult, I feel Gina had a drive for achievement along with a genuine kindness and compassion for family, friends and acquaintances,” said Staroska, who graduated with King in 1992 from North Platte High School. “These valuable traits are the business magic that is around us all. However, to harness and
Gina King
capture this genie in a bottle is the trick, and that talent is something Gina very much has to her credit.” Staroska recalled, “In July of 2001 I found myself for the first time sitting in Gina’s chair at her shop ... Wow, how her business has grown since then! I was inspired to see the pride and passion of such a genuine per- son growing her business with the dedication and care needed in building a solid business foundation, and continuing to expand and grow with employees under her guidance.” King and Staroska have volunteered for
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021 D11
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Women of Achievement PAST WINNERS 2010-2020
Volunteer: Claudette Nelson
Volunteer: Jan Wright Youth: Vikki Carlson
Business: Teresa Sweley Education: Joan Davis Medical: Barb Petersen Social services: Kris Steinbeck Youth: Brandy Buscher Volunteer: Waneita Schomer 2011 Business: Nancy Faulhaber Cultural: Cheri Erickson Education: Tami Eshleman Government: Dawn Miller
2020 Business: Shae Caldwell Cultural Arts: Amy Minshull Education: Jodi Howard Government/law: Tanya Roberts- Connick Medical: Fiona Libsack Social services: Molly Morales Up and coming: Addilyn Wilson Volunteer: Kathy Swain Youth: Mitzi Mueller
2015 Business: Ardell Krizek Cultural arts: Donna Pucket Education: Joyce Delgado Government: Lisa Burke Medicine: Kira Krautz, DVM Social services: Jill Vaughn and Allison Huebner Upcoming Woman of Achievement: Chantel Johnson Volunteer: Brandi Barrett Youth: Carrie Lienemann 2014 Business: Clarine Eickhoff Cultural arts: Mary Hepburn Education: Sally Thalken Government: Molly O’Holleran Medical: Lori Barrett Social services: Jennifer Haneborg
Social services: Shawna Tatman Volunteer: Shari Shore
Social services: Wilma Hackney
2013 Business: Michele Aloi Cultural arts: Pat Hoban Education: Linda Clavel Government/law: Lisa Josten Medical: Dr. Kathy Lopez Volunteer: Pat Dannatt Youth: Susan Sukraw 2012 Cultural arts: Sharron Hollen
2017 Business: Kay Lucas Medical: Karen Waite Social services: Maria Lein Cultural arts: Holly Carlini Volunteer: Sandee Kroon 2016 Business: Cassie Condon Cultural arts: Susan Werkmeister Education: Barbara Christensen Government/law: Dana Songster Medical: Kelley Hasenauer Social services: Nan Hynes Upcoming women: Michaela Schmid and Emma Young Volunteer: Mary Pendleton Work with youth: Betty Van Boening
2010 Business: Cindy Petersen Cultural: Sharon Skinner Education: Margo Hirschfeld Government: Rebecca Harling Volunteer: DiAnn Nichelson Social services: Jeanie Gilbert Youth: Lee Ann Nielsen
2019 No ceremony
2018 Business: Krista Heiss Cultural arts: Renae Brandt Education: Brenda Aufdenkamp Government/law: Amanda Speichert Medical: Deborah Weaver
ESU 16 would like to wish congratulations to Sara Gentry for being a top finalist in the 2021 Women of Achievement Awards Social Services category.
The staff at ESU are very proud of you!
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021 D12
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10-11 Page 12 Page 13Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker