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Show Volume XV Issue XII The Ogden Valley news Page June 1, 2008 YCC Honors Individuals with Spirit of the American Woman Awards Your Community Connection (YCC) presented the 25th Annual Mattie Wattis Harris Spirit of the American Woman Awards on Saturday, May 17 at the Allred Theater at Weber State University. These awards recognize the strength and courage of individuals who have overcome barriers in their lives and have moved on to achieve success in career or personal lives, community involvement, volunteer service, education, leadership qualities, and serve as role models to others. Throughout the years, over 500 individuals and organizations have received this unique public expression of appreciation. “This year’s recipients are the epitome of service, leadership and community involvement,” said Raquel Lee, Assistant Director at YCC. “They are exemplary and truly inspiring individuals. We are honored and excited to publicly recognize each.” Proceeds from the Spirit of the American Woman Awards event are expended on direct client services in YCC’s domestic violence, rape recovery, homeless assistance, and family enrichment program centers. Robert Hunter, CEO and president of United Way of Northern Utah, served as Master of Ceremonies. The following are the 2008 recipients of the Spirit of the American Woman Awards: Patricia Bair, Ph.D., Courage to Care Award honoring those who have contributed countless hours of service to those in need. Debbie Carter, Retail/Sales Award honoring outstanding individuals who are employed in the retail or sales professions. Amy Hedges, Public Education Award honoring those in the field of public education who had made a positive impact in the lives of their pupils and have created many opportunities for growth and development. Danielle Croyle, Amy Armstrong Nontraditional Award honoring individuals who have demonstrated excellence in traditionally male-dominated professions; i.e. science, engineering, medicine, law, ministry, construction, etc. Diane Sorensen, Professional Manager Award honoring outstanding individuals who have exhibited exceptional skills in management. Sandy Bryan, Dr. Neila C. Seshachari Arts & Humanities Award honoring individuals who have demonstrated dedication and compassionate creativity through drama, artwork, music or writing to enrich the community. Amy Wicks, Women In Politics Award honoring outstanding women who are elected officials or individuals who have exhibited exceptional skills in the field of politics. Christina Erekson, Hope of Tomorrow Award honoring outstanding youth who have shown academic excellence, optimism, strong leadership qualities and willingness to help the community (ages 12-18). Lisa Russell, Professional Manager Award honoring outstanding individuals who have exhibited exceptional skills in management. Elsie Shiramizu Ed.D., R.N., In the Spirit of Quan Yin Award honoring outstanding Asian/Pacific Islanders who exhibit compassion and a deep sense of purpose. Christina Myers, Dedication & Determination Award honoring outstanding individuals who have exhibited exceptional skills of dedication and determination. Pamela Vineyard Boucher, Gail A. McIntire Courage & Commitment Award honoring those who have shown extraordinary strength through immense trial and adversity. Carl Stegan, In the Spirit of Service Award honoring individuals for outstanding volunteer service and service to others. Melanie Bateman, Phoenix Award honoring individuals who have risen over their restraints and have soared to new heights. Brigitte Schultz, Community Service Award honoring those who have given outstanding personal service to their community. Pamela Hernandez, Adelante Mujer Award honoring outstanding Hispanic women who have devoted their time to enhancing the community. Joan Effiong, Medical Award honoring those in the medical field who have used their knowledge to give service to others. Vickie Davies-Dewsnup, Higher Education Award honoring individuals who are leaders in educational institutions conducting leading-edge research and contributing to the making of history. Carolyn Hogge, Major Achievement Award honoring individuals who have demonstrated courage, determination and triumph in achieving the highest degree of excellence in the workplace, home or life. Karen Fawbush, State Government Award honoring outstanding individuals, who are employed or otherwise involved with state government. Sandra Fitzgerald, Federal Government HAFB Award honoring employees of Hill AFB who exhibit personal strength and support for others. April Boyer, Social Services Award honoring those individuals who demonstrate outstanding support of social services. Shirley Brown-Miller, Sojourner Truth Award honoring outstanding African American women in Utah. Kenzie Faye Wright, Women-Owned Business Award honoring women who own their own business and pioneer a way for other women to follow. Michelle Dean, Strength & Compassion Award honoring individuals who have demonstrated outstanding courage, diligence and compassion under difficult or extreme conditions. Of these outstanding women, Patricia Bair, Debbie Carter, Sandra Fitzgerald, Amy Hedges, Carolyn Hogge, and Kenzie Faye Wright are from Ogden Valley. Dr. Patricia Bair is Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber/Davis located in Ogden. Pat was born in a small South Texas. She states that her grandmother and mother saw her academic and artistic potential, and constantly encouraged Dr. Patricia Bair her to read, develop her artistic and musical talents, and seek guidance and support from the community. She traded babysitting services for private music lessons and worked as a life guard and swimming teacher to save money for college. Graduating as an honor student from high school, she accepted a scholarship at the University of Houston where she graduated in three years with a double major and a secondary teaching certificate. She became a teacher in the troubled Houston inner-city where she wrote and was granted a $10 million federal grant to improve the literacy of students. Later she completed her doctoral work in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. At the age of 35, Pat was diagnosed with cancer. With a failing marriage and an 8-year-old son, she faced months of chemotherapy and maintained a challenging career while unsure about her mortality. With the help of her family and friends, a stubborn determination to survive and meeting the love of her life, she overcame her cancer and has remained cancer-free for more than 20 years. She has dedicated herself to public service with an emphasis on assisting disadvantaged youth. Under her direction, the Boys & Girls Club has grown substantially in both members and budget. in Ogden for post mastectomy care. Trying to find clothing suitable for herself, Debbie’s initial experience in Ogden was horrible. One particular incident led to a determination to prevent the same thing happening to anyone else going through the Debra Carter experience. Today she assists people from as far north as Alaska and as far south as Peru. She has dedicated her life to helping others cope with cancer. She has traveled miles to see cancer patients and to do fittings for them. Sandra Fitzgerald has excelled in the traditionally maledominated world of military engineering by attaining the status of Squadron Director and Chief Landing Gear Engineer for all USAF managed aircraft. As a 28-year Northern Utah resident, Sandra Fitzgerald Sandy has more than two decades of community involvement and selfless support through her volunteerism and charity. She is also involved in fundraising and community projects to further the cause of children’s education, which includes spending her off-duty time tutoring and reading to elementary aged children. For her dedication, Sandra has received many recognitions and awards. Some of these include the 2005 Ogden Air Logistic Center Engineering and Technical Management Award; 2003 Federal Managers’ Association Management Achievement for First Line Supervisory, and many more. It has been written of Sandy that “her dynamic spirit and ever-present positive attitude fuel the fire of motivation in her co-workers and subordinates.” Finally, due to Sandy’s stellar professionalism, leadership, and integrity, she was selected as Squadron Director—the civilian equivalent to a military commander, a position of highest regard, trust, and responsibility in military organizations. Amy Hedges is a teacher at Valley Elementary. Amy exhibits the skills that any teacher or parent would value when it comes to helping those in need. Amy works hard to meet individual learning needs and styles of all her students. As a result, Amy has reAmy Hedges ceived many awards including the Standard-Examiner “Apple for the Teacher” award. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She is also active in her church where she donates much of her time. While attending college, she was faced with many challenges. As a result, her compassion for those in need is shown in her classroom. Despite her personal challenges, she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Carolyn Hogge is the mother of six children. While they were still young, she and her husband realized that if they wanted to help their children attain a college education, she would need to get a job. Carolyn wanted to become a teacher since she was very young. Through creative scheduling, Carolyn Hogge SPIRIT AWARDS cont. on page 8 P.O. Box 745 Eden UT 84310 Office 801.745.6700 Fax 801.745.9499 KenTurnerRE.com Ken Turner Real Estate Presents... Follow the Elk Ridge Signs to an Open House Friday & Saturday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Debra Carter has been the owner of Debra Lynn’s Post Mastectomy Specialties in Ogden, Utah for ten years. She is a certified Breast Prosthesis Fitter and assists patients who have had a mastectomy to find clothing to help give them the beauty and dignity they deserve. In 1994, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. With six children, she faced a tough uphill battle. Following a mastectomy and subsequent treatments, she was disappointed in what was not available Eight Lots .5 acre and above in size Prices starting at $189,000 Level ground sitting high w/Panoramic Views Gated Community Underground Utilities One 10.8 acre superlot priced at $549,000 Beautiful Entry Monument and Landscaping Architectural Control Domestic Elk Adjacent Property Walking Trail Estates at Elk Ridge Gated Community Ken Turner 801.710.8800 turner@KenTurnerRE.com See this and other fine properties at www.KenTurnerRE.com Exclusive & Vacation Properties New Construction Developments 1031 Exchanges Investments |