2018 Women of Achievement Nominees
most enjoyable, beneficial time possible. She is nominated in the Education category.
She is continuing the downtown's rejuvenation by leading the renovation of the Mutual Loan Building. "Very few people in this community have the understanding of the history of downtown North Platte and the potential grants and subsidies available to them," said Chris Blakely of Blakely Enterprises, who nominated Brandt. "Renae not only works tirelessly to improve downtown, she also researches information about these things more than anyone I know. She is a wealth of knowledge and has amazing dedication to improving our community." Brandt also has taken the lead on the push to improve the historic Pawnee Hotel. She has started and completed a petition to request a review of the building and operates a Facebook page for the building with over 1,000 followers and regular engagement with community members. "Not only are her efforts with the Pawnee Hotel project awe-inspiring, but her desire to make the entire downtown district a visually appealing and destination place to visit is equally admirable. She truly cares about this community and takes it a step further by actively trying (and succeeding) in making it better," said Megan McGown, vice president of economic development and marketing for North Platte Area Chamber and Development. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Brenda Aufdenkamp As the 4-H youth development educator at the Nebraska Extension Center since 1998, Brenda Aufdenkamp oversees the office's programs for children in Lincoln, Logan and McPherson counties. Partnering with area schools and working with the Lincoln County 4-H clubs,
Aufdenkamp's work reached 5,254 students, approximately 80 percent of the age-eligible children in the three counties, in 2017. "Her programming in schools, after-school programming, as well as summer programming are focused on helping youth make healthier life choices by teaching them of the importance of eating right and exercising," Kelly Bruns, Extension Center director, wrote in the letter nominating Aufdenkamp in the Education category. "She has engaged in a wide variety of youth programs with a focus of reaching the underserved youth in the community." Aufdenkamp's programs cover everything from physical health to civic and government responsibilities. One of her biggest programs last year was the school enrichment embryology program, in which incubators and eggs were taken to area classrooms to teach students about the requirements to sustain life. That program reached 425 students in 25 classrooms around the area. "While we do not always recognize, nor are we able to quantify, the long-term impacts of youth programming, I am confident that Brenda's work is making an impact in our community," Bruns said. Along with her work at the Extension Center, Aufdenkamp is also active at First Evangelical Lutheran Church and has served as a committee member on the United Way campaign. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Pam LeDroit Known as a loving friend and neighbor, Pam LeDroit has operated a day care business out of her home for 25 years and spends most of her time working to ensure that the kids have the
LeDroit says there is nothing she would rather do instead of what she is currently doing.
In the spare moments when she is not with the kids or prepping for them, LeDroit enjoys working in the yard, going on walks and spending time with family and friends. LeDroit's nominator, Rhonda Gottula, has been friends with Pam for years and felt that her positive attitude and strong bond with the children she takes care of warranted nomination for the award.
"Pam is the kindest. She loves her day care children like they were her own," Gottula said.
"She's been doing this over 20 years, has a big heart and smile. The children refer to her as Pammy."
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Brittany McDaniel Brittany McDaniel, a North Platte native, is a language arts educator, speech and theater coach, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes volunteer at North Platte High School.
In a letter nominating McDaniel in the
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WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
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