Y.W.C.A. Tribute

 

I  truly enjoyed meeting and photographing all of the nominees for this years

Y.W.C.A. Tribute To Women.  Although only one lady was selected from each category

for the final award all of the women nominated and involved are quite talented

and have had many accomplishments in their lives.

 

Congratulations to all of the Award Recpients!

I hope that as you read the Award Recipient's information you are as inspired as I was.

Thank you ladies for all of your dedication and efforts to make our community a much better place for all of us to live and work in.  Victoria

 

after reading the recipient's information their is a slide show from the event at the bottom of this page

 

 

The Arts

Whisper Romeo

Founder/Director, Creative Expressions of Art

 
 At the age of 18, Whisper Romeo had a dream to give children the opportunity to express themselves creatively through art. As a therapeutic support staff member for Youth Advocacy, Whisper knew children were suffering from behavioral challenges, autism and mental health issues. She knew there was a need in Crawford County for an outlet to heal, express and be creative . She began to pilot a progam on a volunteer basis, based on expression through art. After many months of volunteer work, struggles and adversity, Whisper received funds for a small amount of children to participate in her program. Unsatisfied that not all children could participate, Whisper traveled Crawford County giving multiple presentations  in order to make her program financially accessible for all families. In 2007, she achieved her dream. Creative Expressions of Art Therapy After-School Program is currently available to every child who needs a chance to express their individuality. Whisper is also a member of the Meadville Council of The Arts and the National Art Therapy Association.
 

 

Business and Industry

Barbara Courtney

Retail Learning and Development, National City Bank

 
 
A 1987 graduate of Westminister College, Barbara Courtney has showed perseverance and through personal tradgedy. Barbara is currently a trainer for the Retail Development and Learning Department of National City Bank of Pennsylvania. A role-model for her peers, Barbara is continually a display professionalism and is a very innovative problem solver. As a woman with a heart for others, Barbara took on the position of executive director at the Greenville Regional After-School program. She gently led children in her after-school care and even her volunteers into leadership roles. One of Barbara’s biggest accomplishments has stemmed from a tragic loss of a child. After sharing her story at various women’s conferences, Barbara has truly served as an inspiration to women who have shared her feelings of loss.
 

 
Hilda Rusek, chairperson of community service,
P.A. Association of School Retirees
 
 
A retired public school teacher after 30 years of service, Hilda Rusek, continues to touch the lives of the community through her devotion to children and her love of reading. Hilda is an active member of her church and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees in which she serves as the community service chairperson. Hilda dedicates her time to searching for recently published childrens’ books in order to donate them to local elementary schools. In the past, Hilda has hosted her own book sale from her own private collection in an effort to raise money to benefit the local elementary schools. Hilda’s desire is to keep the children’s school libraries up-to-date and to supplement the reading curriculum. She is also known as a weekly “Grandma Reader” at a local elementary school in which she reads aloud to several classes of first and second grade students. As a positive leader and role model in the community, Hilda not only empowers others to succeed but also instills the love of reading into the hearts of children.
 
 
 
 
Education
Cathy Kelihar, itinerant autism support teacher,
West End Elementary School
 
 A wife and mother of two daughters, Cathy Kelihar decided to reach for her dream of becoming an educator. At 46 years of age, Cathy enrolled at Edinboro University and obtained her Master’s degree in Education, traditionally a five-year program, in only three years. At 50, Cathy had accomplished her dream and is currently an itinerant autism support teacher, a newly created position, at West End Elementary School.  Cathy has made this position her own, individualizing her duties in as many ways as her students need. She takes pride in her students’ everyday accomplishments and is satisfied in knowing that her greatest accomplishment occurs with each student as they eventually leave her care and are able to navigate the world around them on their own. It is because of Cathy’s unsurpassed dedication and commitment to each and every student that they will be equipped with the social skills needed to take on the outside world.
 
 

Health Care and Human Service

Shelly Smith

Director of Nursing

Rolling Fields

 

 
A woman who truly places others before herself, Shelly Smith has helped to ease the aches and pains of countless friends and families in the multiple number of neighborhoods in which she has called home. Shelly graduated from Meadville Area High School in 1984 and received a bachelors of science degree in nursing from the college of Villa Maria in 1988. Soon after she married her high school sweetheart, Dan Smith, she enlisted as a reservist army nurse member of the 382nd MASH unit from Erie. In 1990, the newlyweds moved to Arizona due to the call of active duty.  In Arizona, Shelly attended to patients at the Sierra Vista Hospital and also the Samaritan Medical Center, where she served for 13 years. In 1999, Shelly moved back to Meadville and in 2004 was welcomed to Rolling Fields as the director of nursing. At Rolling Fields, Shelly has used her education and talents in helping to build a better world for the elders at the home. She is an active member of multiple committees and finds ways in which to bridge generations with her many talents. Shelly has also served on the board of the Miracle Children’s Network. She currently resides in Meadville, with her husband of twenty years, Dan and her three children, Josh, Abby and Faith.
 
 
Heather Clancy-Young, CEO/president,
Meadville Area Federal Credit Union 
 
A leader in her profession and her community, Heather Clancy-Young has positively affected the company in which she is employed and the community in which she lives with her commitment to excellence and a heart for charity. Heather currently serves as the CEO/President of the Meadville Federal Credit Union. Under her leadership, the Meadville Federal Credit Union has more than doubled in assets and in members.  Heather also serves on many community boards such as the Advocacy and Resources for Citizens (ARC) of Crawford County, the Seton Catholic School Board, and the board of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Crawford County. She is also very active in raising necessary funds for local charities such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Crawford County, March of Dimes and many more. In 1999, Heather received the Meadville Medical Center Auxiliary Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Due to her contributions to the Special Olympics of Crawford County, she received the Appreciation Award in 2003 and the Helping Hand Award in 2008. In 2006, she was chosen by the ARC of Crawford County as the Professional of the Year.
 
 

 
Student (higher education)
Kelli Sheik, graduate class of 2010, Edinboro University
 
As a junior at Edinboro University, Kelly Sheik has taken on the task of not only earning a dual bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Sociology, but creating awareness of animal rights through her lifestyle choices and academic coursework. Her advocacy for animals was highlighted in 2006, when Kelly adopted Deakon, a ten-year-old male cat, from a local humane society. Kelly cared for Deakon for months before finding he had a severe case of diabetes. Kelly, a part-time employee at Vantage Health Care in Meadville and Walt’s Tavern in Conneaut Lake, has since then scheduled her classes, work hours and everyday life around administering insulin to Deakon on a daily consistent schedule. Kelly went further in her individual advocacy for animals by creating and conducting a survey of public opinion on product testing on animals. After surveying over 100 people in Crawford County, Kelly feels she is on her way to creating the type of awareness that is needed to protect the rights of animals in Crawford County.
 
 
 
Audrey Slote, graduate class of 2009,
Meadville Area High School
 
An exceptional class member of 2009 at Meadville Area High School, Audrey Slote has succeeded in many areas of study. She is currently academically ranked third in her graduating class and was a National Merit Finalist for her academic achievements. Although extremely gifted academically, Audrey thrives creatively as a talented musician. She is an exceptional celloist and was chosen to play as a part of the Erie Junior Philharmonic. She has been involved in orchestra, jazz and concert band. Audrey recently received an award for Pennsylvania Creative Achievement of the Arts.
 
 

 
Kristy Tucci, graduate class of 2009,
Cambridge Springs High School
 
A talented vocalist, Kristy Tucci has continually used her exceptional voice in order to benefit friends, family and the community in which they live.  Kristy, a member of the Cambridge Springs High School graduating class of 2009, has a long-standing career as a participant and award winner at the annual Cambridge Springs beauty pageant. Kristy was crowned on separate occasions in 1997 and 2002 and during the 2007 pageant, Kristy’s pageant career was accented with the title of Miss. Cambridge Springs. During her one-year reign, Kristy had the opportunity to participate in various community events in an effort to raise money for specific causes. In 2008, Kristy offered her crowned vocal talents at a local benefit concert with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation and an additional non-profit organization known as AWAND (Adults With A Neuromuscular Disease).  She also is the founder of the Jr. Spa Spectacular, an annual youth talent competition for elementary school students in grades first through sixth in Cambridge Springs and surrounding communities. The program is the workings of Kristy’s senior project, a main component of the Cambridge Springs High School graduation curriculum. The project also adorned Kristy with the Gold Award, the highest honor awarded to select Girl Scouts in which only approximately five percent of all members achieve.
 
 
 
 
Rose Morian, graduate class of 2010,
home-schooled student
 
A young woman of exceptional maturity, Rose Morian possesses a faith deeper than that of a woman twice her age and the blessings of a life dedicated to God. Rose has been awarded on multiple occasions for her talents in caring for animals. Most recently, in 2007, she was awarded Reserve Junior Champion at the Crawford County Jersey Open Show and Honorable Mention Junior Champion at the Crawford County Holstein Open Show. She currently serves as President of County Line Farmers 4 – H and had formerly served a two-year term as Vice-President. Academically, Rose displays the same fervor for learning as she does has animals. A home-schooled student, Rose is a junior with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. In preparing for graduation in 2010, Rose has already completed multiple college –level courses at Liberty University. Rose has the skills and knowledge in order to fly a small plane and she also enjoys playing guitar and teaching piano.
 
 
 
 
Ashley Jackson, graduate class of 2009,
Cochranton High School
 
A member of the 2009 Cochranton High School graduating class, Ashley Jackson is already on her way to becoming a greatly successful professional. Ranked  third academically in her graduating class, Ashley has received the Merit Award and a Dean’s Scholarship from Thiel College in Greenville in which she will be attending this fall. Due to her academic excellence, Thiel College and the Lake Erie School of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) have further accepted Ashley into an affiliation agreement in which she has the opportunity to receive her doctorate of Pharmacy in only five years. In 2009, Ashley was awarded The Presidential Award of Education Excellence and also the 2009 Most Outstanding 4-H club member. An active member of the 4-H program for four years, Ashley received multiple awards at the district-level for her showmanship of horses. Ashley has also been an active member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honors Society, the Physics Club and Academic Sports League.
 
 

Spirituality

Sandy Clancy

Director of Religious Education,

Meadville Area Catholic Youth Ministries (MACYM)

 
 
Over the past 27 years, Sandy Clancy has shared her love and faith in God on a daily basis.  She began her walk with God as a Sunday School teacher for St. Agatha’s religious education program through Seton Catholic School. Further in her journey, Sandy helped to develop the Meadville Area Catholic Youth Ministry (MACYM), in which she currently serves as the director of religious education. MAYCM is a formation of  7th to 12th grade students from St. Agatha’s, St. Brigid’s, St. Mary’s of Grace and St. Bernadette’s parishes. This program encompasses the importance of religious education, Christian fellowship and community service. Sandy is also a member of the Meadville Area Scholarship Board of Directors and a hair dresser for Crawford County Care Center. She has earned several degrees including a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Allegheny College as well as a bachelor’s degree in Religious and Lay Ministry from Mercyhurst College. Sandy has been presented with the Award for Mission Activity for School Age Children from The Diocese of Erie Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
 
Teagan Riggs, graduate class of 2008,
Clarion University
 
A college graduate of Clarion University and eight-time NCAA Division II All-American award winner in swimming, Teagan Riggs is a woman with unparalleled accomplishments in academics and athletics. Teagan is a 2003 high school graduate of Meadville Area High School, in which she was ranked at state levels in both swimming and in track and field.  In her undergraduate education at Clarion University,  Teagan was chosen as the PSAC Scholar Athlete Top 10 Pick, the NCAA National Champion in Diving for the three-meter event, the NCAA second-place runner-up in the one-meter event and the six-time College Swimming Coaches Association Academic All-American. Academically, Teagan accomplished even more.  From 2005 to 2008, Teagan’s cumulative grade point average was noted on the Dean’s List. In 2007, she was awarded first place at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Convention for her undergraduate research of Phagocytosis of Annexin 1-Coated Bacteria by HL60-Differentiated Macrophages. Due to her combined accomplishments in academics and athletics, Teagan was one out of twenty recipients nationally to receive the 2008 NCAA Post-graduate Scholarship.  Teagan graduated in 2008 from Clarion University with a bachelor’s degree of science, a dual-major concentration of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and an additional dual-minor of Chemistry and Psychology. Teagan is currently working as a clinical researcher specialist for Consultants in Cardiovascular Diseases, Inc. at Saint Vincent Health System in Erie, Pa. Teagan has been accepted to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and plans to attend in the fall of 2009.
 

 

Sports (9-12th grades)
Alyssa Gerhart, graduate class of 2009,
Meadville Area High School
 
A multi-talented athlete, Alyssa Gerhart has succeeded in every athletic venture she has decided to tackle. A graduating senior at Meadville Area High School, Alyssa has spent most of her high school days excelling in athletic events. As a basketball and softball player, she consistently earned her Varsity letter each year of high school. Alyssa was named “Rookie of the Year” For her outstanding freshman performance as first-string short stop. Her greatest passion, golf, has earned her many prestige titles locally such as; Region 1 Player of the Year, 2008 Girl Golfer of the Year by The Meadville Tribune and the Erie Times Player of the Week. For her expertise in golf, Alyssa was athletically-lettered for four years and was recognized as a three-time District 10 qualifier, a three-time all-district selection and was a PIAA West Region qualifier in the 2008 fall season. Alyssa plans to continue her academic and athletic career in golf at Clarion University in the fall of 2009.
 
 

Elizabeth M. Crumrine Award
Deborah A. Szitas, corporate compliance and HIPAA officer, Vantage Holding Company, LLC
 

Deborah graduated from Maplewood High School in 1979. She was very involved with the 4-H Chaparajos Horse and Pony Club until 1980. She attended Jamestown Business College where she received a two year associate’s degree in business in 1982. Deborah has been employed at Vantage Holding Company, LLC since 2006. Her current position is Corporate Compliance and HIPAA Officer. Prior to her employment with Vantage, she worked at Citizens Bank for two years as an assistant manager at National City Bank for twenty years and Sipco Technology for five years in Accounts Payables. A YWCA Board from August 2005 to April 2009, Deborah was very excited to see new programs established for children in the areas of exercise and continued education. She dedicated part of her time at the YWCA to delivering meals to those who could not physically leave their homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

 

 

you may also view the images from the event  by going back to the home page and clicking on

"session proofing"  the session ID  is:  0530

 

check out the video below from 2009 awards event

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