The Arc Maryland Honors People With Leadership, Advocacy Awards

MARYLAND — The Arc Maryland, the largest statewide advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), has announced the award committee’s selections for The Arc Maryland Annual Statewide Leadership and Advocacy Awards. Honorees will be awarded in a virtual celebration on June 9 at 5:30 p.m.

“Again this year, we received a record number of nominations for awards and the selection committee had its work cut out for it. The level of commitment and service we have experienced during this past extraordinary year has been remarkable: our neighbors, employers, healthcare workers and so many others were truly there, with and for people with I/DD and their families. We cannot thank them enough for their contributions," Ande Kolp, executive director of the organization, said.

The Arc Maryland’s President’s Cup award winner this year is Beatrice Rodgers, a longtime resident of Prince George’s County who has provided five decades of advocacy at the local and state levels.

The Legacy Award will be presented to Sue Rattman. Sue spent the past 28 years working at The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.

Other honorees who will receive awards from The Arc Maryland include:

NaToya Mitchell (Baltimore) - Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award; presented for leadership to ensure dignity and further the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Tyler Aughenbaugh & Sebastien Dorris, Autumn Woods Co. (Carroll) - Employer of the Year Award for small local business; presented for exceptional commitment to competitive employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Bel Air, Maryland, (Harford) - Employer of the Year Award for large nation-wide business; presented for exceptional commitment to competitive employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Matthew Plantz (Howard) - Stanley S. Sidle/William Ohge, Jr. Memorial Citizenship Award; presented for outstanding leadership, inspiration, and contributions to the community.

Ilva M. Richardson (Frederick) and Therese Thiedeman (Calvert) - Professionals of the Year Award; presented for outstanding professional service benefiting the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Lori Miller (Baltimore) - The Arc Outstanding Employee of the Year: Administration/Program Management Award; presented for outstanding professional work to support fully inclusive lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Dorothy B. Plantz (Howard) - The Lorraine Sheehan/Bernard A. Gould Award for Governmental Affairs Service; presented for outstanding work to support fully inclusive lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Sara Wagner – Primary Education (Anne Arundel) and Merrideth Wile – Secondary Education (Washington) - School Inclusion Awards; presented for providing quality educational opportunities and creating supportive, inclusive learning environments for students of all abilities.

Rob Malone (Prince George’s) and Troy Van Scoyoc (Washington) – Catalyst Awards; presented for honor and appreciation from the Association to individuals with exceptional leadership as innovators “a catalyst” of change, making significant contributions on behalf of people intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Senator Douglas J.J. Peters (Prince George’s) and Delegates Michael Griffith (Cecil and Harford) and Michele Guyton (Baltimore County) – Legislators of the Year Award; presented for dedication to protecting and furthering the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through legislative service and action.

Each chapter of The Arc in Maryland selected one honoree to receive recognition for The Outstanding Employee of the Year: Gilbert John Zucchi Direct Support Professional Award. These awards are presented to those engaged in direct supports to people with I/DD who exemplify the qualities of Gil Zucchi.

Awardees for 2021 are:

Ephrem Sahle, The Arc Baltimore

Hank Cortesini, The Arc Carroll County

Arthur Ellis, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

Eric S. Green, The Arc of Frederick County

The Full DSP Staff, The Arc Howard County

Ed Stewart, The Arc Montgomery County

Ginger Robinson, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region

Mathew Poku, The Arc Prince George’s County

John Gough III, The Arc Southern Maryland

Bonnie L. Bowman, The Arc Washington County

Chapter Volunteers of the Year are also selected by each chapter of The Arc to be honored for outstanding service and dedication to The Arc’s mission: to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. These volunteers are being honored at a Breakfast Celebration on June 9th.

Awardees for 2021 are:

Thomas Sand, The Arc Baltimore

Sherri-Le Bream, The Arc Carroll County

Josh Miller, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

Rose Froelich, The Arc of Frederick County

Matthew Hart, The Arc Howard County

Donna DePamphilis, The Arc Maryland

Stephanie D. Katz, The Arc Montgomery County

Lt. Hugh John Dougherty, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region

Sloane Gabrielle Butler, The Arc Prince George’s County

Leonardtown High School National Honor Society, The Arc Southern Maryland

Bob Bodell, The Arc Washington County