The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees recognized Lisa Atkins as the 2012 Jaycee of the Year at their annual Inaugural Ball on Jan. 18. Atkins, a member since 2011, chaired several projects in 2012, including the chapter's first Mom 2 Mom Sale, Relay for Life, and Warm the Children.
“For the 24-hours of Relay [for Life], we as a chapter pulled together to make her dream come true,” said 74th President and current Chairwoman of the Board, Kristen Mishler. “However, for the rest of the year, she worked hard to make sure that other people's vision and dreams came true.”
The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees' Relay team was the first fielded by the chapter since 2009. Since 2007, Jaycee chapters from across the United States have raised over $1.2 million for Relay for Life.
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The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees recognized projects and members that created impact in the community, in the chapter, or provided for an opportunity for personal growth.
The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees' Community Development Project of the Year was awarded to Senior Dinner, chaired by Randy Hall. Each year, the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees prepare and serve a home cooked Thanksgiving dinner for patrons of the Recreation Park Senior Center in Ypsilanti. This year's meal gave over 60 attendees an opportunity to enjoy a home cooked holiday meal.
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Heather Dittmar was recognized with an Individual Development Project of the Year for Cake Decorating Basics. This one day course allowed members to learn basic cake decorating techniques.
Jennifer Vroom took home the Membership Development Project of the Year for the project, Ypsi's Play Date. Play Date was an ongoing social project for Jaycee members, providing an opportunity for Jaycees with families to come together to allow their children to socialize and develop new skills.
Management Development Project of the Year was awarded for the Business Tour of the Corner Brewery, chaired by Joe Auker. This business tour gave the Jaycees an opportunity to get a behind the scenes view of the Corner Brewery's production facility and their recent eco-friendly upgrades.
Project Chairperson of the Year was awarded to Kendra Middling. Middling joined the Jaycees in 2011, and chaired several of the chapter's larger projects, including: The Easter Egg Scramble and Marshmallow Drop, the 4th of July Parade, and Ypsi's Got Talent.
Kaylee Towler was recognized as the 2012 Board Member of the Year by the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees. Towler joined the Jaycees in 2010, and served as a Director in 2012. Towler began the year assigned to the Membership Development area of the chapter, but was later assigned to the Management Development area, following several personnel changes.
New Jaycee of the Year was awarded to Nosa Obaseki. Obaseki joined the chapter in March, and quickly became involved in several projects, including chairing the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Parade.
In her farewell address, Mishler thanked the award recipients and members of the 2012 Board of Directors for their hard work and dedication over the past year.
The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees is a local chapter of the United States Junior Chamber, which represents more than 18,200 young adults in over 680 chapters across the country. Jaycee chapters focus on empowering its members to create positive change in their communities and in themselves by developing leadership skills. For more information, visit www.ypsilantijaycees.com.