The Bradford Family YMCA will hold its 2017 Bradford Community Awards breakfast on at 7:30 a.m. May 2 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The “George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Award” will be presented to Ron Orris and Kessel Construction Inc. Tim Asinger, company president, will accept the award on behalf of Kessel Construction Inc. The annual award recognizes one or more individuals, businesses, or organizations in Bradford and the surrounding area for continual commitment to the improvement of the community by his/her actions, words, and deeds that exemplify the Y mission of building “spirit, mind, and body for all.”
Currently the executive director of the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, Orris began his career in retail with the James R. Evans Clothing store in Bradford. He went on to work for 13 years for Walmart as a store manager, and subsequently served 5 years as the executive director of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce. He is presently the chairman of the board of the Bradford Water Authority, and past chairman and current secretary of Futures Rehabilitation. He serves on the boards of the Friendship Table, the Bradford Hospital Foundation, and Beacon Light Behavioral Health System. He also serves on the executive advisory board of UPB and is a co-chair of UPB’s institutional advancement committee. He serves as chairman of the endowment boards for the SPCA and the YWCA. He is the elected city controller of the City of Bradford, a position he has held for 19 years. He has also previously served as mayor and city councilman of the City of Bradford. Ron and his wife Terri are the proud parents of Ronda, Mark and Lisa, and they have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Kessel Construction has been an integral part of the Bradford community since William Oscar Kessel founded the company in 1934 to service the then-prominent oil industry. Since 1949 Kessel has been a Butler builder and currently maintains their highest status of Falcon Club, Career Builder designation. Having won numerous honors and recognitions from various trade and community organizations, Kessel is the premier “Design Build” contractor in the region.
Tim Asinger, Kessel’s President, has been a part of Kessel Construction for over 15 years. He began by opening the Erie office for his father-in-law, Dick Kessel. Tim and his wife Kristin, along with their two sons, Maxwell and Patrick, moved to the Bradford area in 2008 to assist with succession plans for the business. Tim and Kristin Asinger are actively involved in the cultural life of the area, especially with local theater groups. Tim Asinger enjoys giving back to the community and has served on numerous boards in the area. Asinger was recently selected by his Butler Builder peers to join the National Advisory Board for Butler Manufacturing Company based in Kansas City, Mo.
Five area youth will be presented with the “Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth Award.” The annual award recognizes one graduating senior from each private and public high school in McKean County. The students selected are individuals who have demonstrated throughout their high school careers a continual commitment to helping others through volunteer efforts to local community groups and organizations, church and school.
The 2017 honorees are: Kristen Laemmer from Bradford Area High School, Erin Elizabeth Paulson from Kane Area High School, Janelle Housler from Otto-Eldred High School, Morgan Causer from Port Allegany High School, and Brittany Szarowicz from Smethport Area Jr.-Sr. High School.
Kristen Laemmer boasts an impressive record of community service and academic involvement. She has been the Key Club president since 2014, a member of the marching band, the National Art Honor Society and was named homecoming queen in 2016. As Key Club president, Kristen has been chairman of the blood drive, organized the homecoming dance, attended a Key Club convention, coordinated fundraising for the Thirst Project, and decorated socks for young trauma patients. She volunteers her time to numerous organizations including: the SPCA, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the YMCA. She is an active member of St. Bernard’s Church. Kristen plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to major in biology and minor in psychology.
Erin Elizabeth Paulson is an accomplished student who demonstrates a willingness to contribute her time and energy in meaningful ways both at school and in her community. At Kane Area High School, she is a member of the golf and track teams, she participates in SADD, the Student Council, the CNA program and Special Olympics. Erin has participated in the annual Kare for Kane Community Clean-Up Day, the Kane Community Vacation Bible School, and is an active member of the Tabor Lutheran Church, where she is an acolyte, a member of the Church Council, the handbell choir, and the altar guild. Erin plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in nursing.
Janelle Housler is known as an outstanding citizen, an excellent student, and a compassionate person. She is the president of Peer Helpers, the vice-president of the National Honor Society, and a three-season cheerleader. Janelle is a gifted musician, vocalist, and dancer. She performs in jazz band, concert band, and show choir and has participated in 14 years of ballet. Janelle was chosen to attend the Pennsylvania State School Board Conference in Hershey. Last year, she was elected high school representative “Miss 0-E”, was crowned “Miss McKean County” at the county fair, and competed at the Pennsylvania State Fair for the title of State Queen. Janelle has over 300 hours of community service with organizations including: the county fair program, Camp JJ, Socktober, the Red Cross, the Otto Township Park Restoration Project and the United Methodist Church. She plans to attend Penn State Behrend to pursue a degree in nursing.
Morgan Causer is regarded as someone who is consistently involved in activities that benefit her school and community. She is the president and one of the founders of the school’s Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. She is a member of the school chorus, Chamber Singers, show choir, marching band – vice president, concert band, National Honor Society, Entrepreneurship Club, Varsity Club, prom committee, and varsity cheerleading – captain. Her community activities include: Girl Scouts, Pee-Wee Cheer – coach assistant, Port Allegany Community Pool – lifeguard and swim coach, Toys for Tots, Port Allegany Community Services volunteer, and library auction dinner volunteer. Morgan will attend Slippery Rock University, majoring in elementary education.
Brittany Szarowicz is a compassionate young woman who excels in the classroom, her church, and the community. She has attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference, been a People to People Student Ambassador program participant, done volunteer trash pick-up and participated in community soccer and softball. As an active member of her church, Brittany has been a nursery worker, helps with Vacation Bible School, is a youth group student leader and song leader. Brittany is a member of the National Honor Society and is currently ranked third in her class. She participates in the marching band, is percussion section leader, and has been a member of the cross country, soccer, basketball, and track teams. Brittany plans to pursue a degree in business administration/business management.
Reservations may be made through April 25 by contacting Christie Thornton at 716-373-2400 x144 or ChristieT@YourYMCA.org. Corporate/Patron tables are $300 each, patron tickets are $40 each; and reservations are $20 each.
