{"id":129263,"date":"2020-03-13T04:31:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T09:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=129263"},"modified":"2020-05-09T06:00:31","modified_gmt":"2020-05-09T11:00:31","slug":"yw-honors-women-of-achievement-scholarship-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2020\/03\/13\/yw-honors-women-of-achievement-scholarship-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"YWCA honors Women of Achievement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DAVE MOSIER\/<\/strong>independent editor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A viral pandemic that closed Disneyland and canceled March Madness couldn\u2019t compete with the YWCA of Van Wert County\u2019s desire to honor deserving local women during the YW\u2019s Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Civic Dedication award winner Louise Hartwig (left) receives a purse and plaque from YWCA of Van Wert County President\/CEO Kimberly Laudick. photos by Dave Mosier\/Van Wert independent<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Women were honored in eight categories during the event: Professional leadership, advocacy, women\u2019s empowerment, racial justice, volunteerism, youth development, civic dedication, and overcoming adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to announcing award winners, the large crowd that attended listened to guest speaker Captain Ashley Mohr, a graduate of Van Wert High School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capt. Mohr talked about her career — especially her experiences at West Point — while also noting the unique challenges faced by women who pursue careers in the military, as well as other male-dominated fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

She also talked about the leadership lessons she learned during her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLeadership is about sharing responsibilities, empowering others, and providing them with the tools to succeed,\u201d Capt. Mohr said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the medical officer\u2019s inspiring speech, it was time to hand out awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jourdan Tomlinson received the Professional Leadership award, with nominator Dr. Adam Houg writing about how Tomlinson, a nurse, excelled after taking on the newly-created position of care coordinator for their family medical practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis was exceptionally daunting for her, and for us, as there was no model for this job position or role in our practice — or in the country, for that matter,\u201d Houg wrote. \u201cIt was a job that, until that point, had not existed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Houg wrote how Tomlinson not only met all the benchmarks insurance companies had established for the position, but gained her national recognition and opportunities to speak at state and national conferences. Her success also caught the attention of researchers from Stanford University\u2019s School of Medicine, who flew from California to Van Wert for two days to interview Tomlinson and other staff members so they could use her experience to teach others how to replicate that success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Houg noted that their practice continually outperforms other medical practices in quality metrics and cost savings because of Tomlinson\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Advocacy award for 2020 went to Charity Storey. Nominator Jackie Hernandez talked about Storey\u2019s tireless work as an advocate \u201cfor those who are often silenced or ignored within our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she worked at the YWCA, Storey provided support for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. She helped women access social services and find shelter from abusive spouses and others, while also having an impact on how the community viewed the issues important to her, such as racial justice and equality. Storey was instrumental in organizing Stand Against Racism events in Van Wert County schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her current position with Positive Resources Connection in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Storey continues to advocate for under-served and marginalized communities in that community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Capt. Ashley Mohr talks about what she has learned during her career in the U.S. Army<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Recipient of the Women\u2019s Empowerment award was Candy Lammers, who has worked in the male-dominated construction field for the past 18 years, and recently started her own construction company: CSL Contracting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lammers\u2019 two daughters, Elizabeth and Gracie, who nominated her for the award, wrote about how they watched their mother start at the bottom of a male-dominated field and work her way up the ladder to her current status as a small business owner. Even when Lammers had down days, they noted she always got back up and eventually made her dream of owning a construction company come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Lammers speaks to other women about her experiences in the construction field, and her ability to overcome the challenges she faced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a woman in a non-traditional field, sometimes you\u2019re going to work next to people who may not always like you, and that\u2019s okay,\u201d Lammers has said. \u201cYou still have to do your job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also provides advice for other women who want to realize their own dreams, whatever they may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDare to try something you don\u2019t think you can do,\u201d Lammers says. \u201cBe passionate about what you are doing \u2026 and give back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winner of the Racial Justice award was Tanga \u201cTonya\u201d Mitchell. Her nominator, Michele Bird, noted that Mitchell has shaped the way she and others view racial justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe open, honest conversations we have had over the years have impacted the way I see racial differences daily,\u201d Bird wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bird provided some examples of how Mitchell, who works for the Marsh Foundation and volunteers at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio, has been treated by others, who are often rude and view her as a threat because she is Black. She also gave her opinion that Mitchell\u2019s willingness to talk openly about her experiences, and to place herself in situations that are organized and run by white leaders, has helped educate others about racial justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy her willingness to speak up, and through her example, she is teaching all of us how to treat others,\u201d Bird said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Volunteerism award went to Becky Butler. Her nominator, Ben Laudick, noted that Butler volunteers for local organizations, such as the Van Wert Booster Club, Early Childhood Center, and Lifehouse church \u201cbecause she has a beautiful heart and it shines through in everything she does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scholarship winners include (from the left) Laney Jones of Crestview, Victoria Snyder of Lincolnview, and Rachel Verville of Van Wert.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Laudick noted that, although Butler is a devoted wife to her husband, Jim, a loving mother to her two daughters, Nikki and Cyndi, and a proud grandmother to five grandmother, she still finds time to spend many hours volunteering in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe is simply outstanding and a true example of selfless giving of time and energy for the good of others,\u201d Laudick added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recipient of the Youth Development award was Natoshia \u201cTosh\u201d Wilhelm, a teacher at Van Wert High School. Rachel Verville, one of several Verville family members that nominated Wilhelm and a student in Wilhelm\u2019s AP English Literature class, said Wilhelm is \u201cone of the most influential women I have ever met. Mrs. Wilhelm is one of those rare teachers for whom education is a mission, rather than just a job — her dedication to the youth in our community is astounding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to teaching junior English and AP Literature, Wilhelm is also the National Honor Society advisor, a small group leader for sixth-grade girls at LifeHouse church and the Van Wert Middle School cross country coach. That\u2019s in addition to being the mother of two children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verville, who earned a YWCA scholarship later in the evening, also wrote of how Wilhelm is one of her greatest supporters and a role model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe is the kind of person I hope to become someday,\u201d Verville added. \u201cI am confident I speak on behalf of many girls in Van Wert when I say that Natoshia Wilhelm is a life-changer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civic Dedication award winner was Louise Hartwig. Nominator Julie Burenga talked about Hartwig\u2019s leadership when the fledgling local Master Gardeners group decided to create a children\u2019s garden at Smiley Park in 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLouise Hartwig made it her baby,\u201d Burenga said, noting that, 15 years later, the garden has won many awards and brings many visitors to the community, as well as being featured in numerous travel and gardening publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLouise had a vision for what a quality children\u2019s garden could add to Van Wert, and, through her talent and tenacity, she played a large part in making the Smiley Park Children\u2019s Garden a success,\u201d Burenga said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hartwig\u2019s daughter, Kylie, who noted her mother is \u201ca highly creative person who has a seemingly never-ending supply of great ideas, and the energy to make them happen\u201d, also had this to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome people live their lives out loud, and my mother is a good example of that. She showed me that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself, and you believe in others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final award of the evening, the Overcoming Adversity award, went to Ellen Rager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rager, the patient-community coordinator at Van Wert Health, was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at a relatively young age, and has undergone a bilateral mastectomy and extensive chemotherapy treatments in a battle to overcome the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Paula Stabler, who nominated her for the award, Rager \u201covercame breast cancer and became an even stronger woman of faith in the process. Ellen took this trial that was hard, emotional, stressful, and challenging, and turned it into a positive experience. Since Ellen\u2019s diagnosis, she has also helped other women going through similar situations by giving them advice she wished she had known.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Ellen\u2019s own words: \u201cEveryone responds differently to a cancer diagnosis. There isn\u2019t a right way or a wrong way to respond. For me, I am so grateful for what my diagnosis has taught me. I learned what it means to live in both grief and joy at once, and that there are ways to be nurtured by both. I learned to lean into the community as a whole, and how to accept help from others. \u2026 in the words of Emily Dickinson, \u2018forever is composed of nows\u2019. I\u2019m ready for a spectacular second act filled with living in the moment of \u2018now\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the Women of Achievement awards, the YWCA also presented three senior girls with scholarships. Rachel Verville, a senior at VWHS, earned a $750 scholarship; Crestview senior Laney Jones earned a $500 scholarship; and Lincolnview senior Victoria Snyder earned a $300 scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2020 Women of Achievement winners and nominees, the event speaker, and scholarship winners all posed following Thursday night’s dinner. Shown are (front row, from the left) scholarship winner Rachel Verville, speaker Captain Ashley Mohr, award winner Louise Hartwig, award nominees Miriam Owens and Kirsten Barnhart, award winner Tonya Mitchell; (back row) scholarship winners Victoria Snyder and Laney Jones, award winners Natoshia Wilhelm, Becky Butler (holding a photo of posthumous nominee Alice Schaulfelberger), Jourdon Tomlinson, Candy Lammers, and Charity Storey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DAVE MOSIER\/independent editor A viral pandemic that closed Disneyland and canceled March Madness couldn\u2019t compete with the YWCA of Van Wert County\u2019s desire to honor deserving local women during the YW\u2019s Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner on Thursday. Women were honored in eight categories during the event: Professional leadership, advocacy, women\u2019s empowerment, racial justice, volunteerism, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-09 10:23:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129263"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129263\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}