August 13, 2014 –
Hattie Mitchell, Tribal Council Treasurer, has been selected as an honoree for Topeka’s Top “20 Under 40” Award.
Topeka: Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Topeka’s Top “20 Under 40” award honors members of the Topeka/Shawnee County Community for their commitment and contributions both professionally and personally. Each spring, members of the greater Topeka community are invited to submit nominations for the “20 Under 40” award and then nominees are sent an invitation to formally apply for the honor. After the application deadline close, a selection committee of more than 20 Topeka community leaders spend countless hours reviewing every submission. This year, the program received more than 200 nominations and over 100 applications, including two letters of recommendation per submission – a new requirement for applicants in 2014. The decision to select only 20 honorees out of such a large pool of worthy candidates each year continues to become an increasingly difficult task.
The following community members are this year’s honorees:
Vince Avila, Westar Energy, Inc.
John Bell, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation
David Callanan, Advisors Excel
Chris Fisher, WIBW-TV
Aarion Gray, USD 345 Seaman – Logan Elementary
Adrian Guerrero, State of Kansas – State Board of Nursing
Brian Haug, WIBW-TV
Gena Hendrickson, Hamilton and Wilson Orthodontics
Amanda Kiefer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka
Michelle McCormick, Office of the Kansas Attorney General
Candis Meerpohl, Kansas State Research and Extension-Shawnee County
Hattie Mitchell, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Nathan Morris, Meridian Roofing Solutions, LLC.
Allison Nichols, Kansas Special Olympics
Jenalea Randall, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS)
Buck Reuter, Westar Energy and the Topeka Police Reserves
Shanna Russell, Pine Ridge Prep- Topeka Public Schools
Nathan Schmidt, City of Topeka/KDOR
Christina Turner, Manchester School for Young Children
Andrew Wiechen, Architect One P.A.
“On behalf of the ‘20 Under 40’ Selection and Steering Committees and Jayhawk Area Council, thank you for the incredible response to the call for nominations for this year’s award. We are in awe of the talent and accomplishments of our young leaders in the Topeka community,” stated Nick Xidis, Vice President of Finance for the Jayhawk Area Council Board of Directors. “We are excited to recognize our Honorees through an event that provides financial support for the more than 6,000 youth involved in Scouting in the Jayhawk Area Council. This includes critical funds that help the Scouts of the Highland District participate in year-round programing and summer camp experiences. The Highland District serves Scouts who are the most at risk to not succeed due to economic and family situations. Through their scouting experience we aim instill the values of good conduct, respect for others, and honesty that are the foundation of tomorrow’s leaders.”
The 2014 Honorees will be recognized at a banquet on Thursday, November 13th, at the Ramada Downtown Convention Center. More information about purchasing tickets or providing sponsorship to the event is available online at http://www.jayhawkcouncil.org/20under40 or by calling 785-354-8541.
Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 Awards Banquet will be held November 13th at the Ramada Inn Downtown.
More information and ticket purchasing details will be available soon