2018 Women of Achievement Nominees
Amanda Speichert Amanda Speichert is a public defender for Lincoln County. She is nominated in the Government/Law category. "I cannot think of a better candidate that embodies the ideals and values this prestigious award represents," County Judge Kent Turnbull wrote in his letter recommending Speichert. "I can safely say that as an attorney, she has conducted herself with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity at all times when representing her clients. However, her representation of children and families shines the brightest. Ms. Speichert's pledge to children extends outside the courtroom through her volunteer work." That volunteer work includes serving on the Connection Homeless Shelter's Board of Directors since 2011. She is the board's vice president. She's coached mock trial teams for North Platte High School and St. Pat's High School and is the secretary for the Legacy Home for Women. Jennifer Smith, a co-worker of Speichert who nominated her for the Women of Achievement award, wrote that Speichert is "dedicated, hard-working and well-respected among her peers. She works tirelessly to improve the system of justice through juvenile law reform and drug court involvement." Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling acknowledged Speichert's service in many roles day-to-day in her letter of recommendation. "There are times when I wonder how Amanda gets done all she does," Harling wrote. "In one day Amanda can file a divorce proceeding, spend five hours in court advocating for clients in juvenile court, read grant applications, be on a phone conference with Through the Eyes of a Child program, go to one of her many board
Education category, Tami Eshleman spoke of the energy and determination McDaniel brings to everything she does despite typically balancing multiple responsibilities at once. "McDaniel is a great role model for students on being a professional, wife, parent and volunteer. She is able to balance her many roles and is always positive," said Eshleman, associate superintendent of North Platte Public Schools. "When you first meet Brittany, you feel the energy bubbling from her, and her creativity is contagious. Students seek her out for guidance and she is often asked to be a mentor for new teachers." McDaniel and her husband, Sam, have been actively involved in the youth ministry at First Baptist Church. The couple has three kids under the age of 4, but that has never slowed McDaniel. Her first child was born two days into the Miss Nebraska Pageant of which she was the producer, and she led the First Baptist youth group on an out-of-state mission trip while nine months pregnant with her third child. "She puts her heart and soul into making a difference in the lives of our youth and positively directing them in their life choices," Eshleman said. Eshleman's letter referenced McDaniel's commitment to students, using a firsthand example. "I cannot think of a more sincere and kind person to represent North Platte for Women of Achievement in the category of education," she said. "She is an advocate for all students. When my son optioned to North Platte High School his senior year, she made it a point to share with me what she appreciated about him. Her attention to students' strengths is remarkable." • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
meetings, and meet with her criminal clients. No one works harder or deserves this accolade more than Amanda."
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Deb Weaver Deb Weaver, who operates Dr. Deb's Express Medical Care, has served on the board for Rape and Domestic Abuse Program of North Platte since 2014 and has been its vice president for the past three years. Her background in medicine provides the RDAP board with a unique look into the situations of the survivors they assist. She is nominated in the Medical category. "She has approached and served the RDAP board with integrity and leadership and has personally advocated for survivors when needed. Her no-nonsense attitude has also provided RDAP staff with a source of stability and guidance, especially related to trauma response," said Jenny Bonta, RDAP executive director. Jenifer Fowler, a co-worker of Weaver's at Dr. Deb's, spoke of the unique way that Weaver cares for patients. "Being in medicine for nearly 20 years, I've had the chance to observe the style of many physicians. Just as her name implies, Dr. Deb rather than Dr. Weaver, she has a very personal and caring relationship with her patients," Fowler said. "It is a humble approach to taking care of her patients that is more like a friend helping a friend, rather than someone in a white coat dictating instructions." Weaver employs that humble, personal approach in both her profession and her volunteering, a fact that is not lost on Bonta.
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JULY 2018
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
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