Service Above Self Awards
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Sun Prairie Rotary initiated the Sun Prairie's Service Above Self Awards in 2001. Criteria utilizes Rotary’s motto of "Service Above Self" and "The Four Way Test". Rotary’s motto, "Service above Self" exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide. Rotarian’s nominate individuals in the community who exemplify the principles.
2025 winners
We are pleased to announce this year’s adult winners:
Pam Blattner
Nominated By: Rich Holsinger
Pam is very active in the community. She helps people almost every day. She is the AVP, Senior Branch Manager, and Financial Literacy Instructor for Bank of Sun Prairie. She is a very important driver in the Bank’s efforts to Improve Financial Literacy, advocate for diversity and help local business grow.
She is an important part of the bank's Financial Fitness Center. One example is her role in an innovative project within Sun Prairie West High School that is educating a new generation on personal finance, home ownership, and business development. Exploring how these educational services aim to uplift individuals and small businesses, with a strong focus on equity and inclusion that supports small businesses. Pam is active with the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce, communicating, sharing and learning about new and different ways to help others.
Pam has been on the Board of the Sun Prairie Neighborhood Negators for about 4 years. She is now the chair and works closely with the Navigators to fund the Emergency Needs Fund so people in need in our community can get some help immediately until they can be referred to an organization that can help them longer term. She also serves as a board member for Sun Prairie Business and Education Partnership - BEP and advocates for those throughout Wisconsin with limb anomalies or have been impacted by limb loss through an event Limbitless Wisconsin. Pam was the voted the Best Businesswomen of Sun Prairie.
She is an important part of the bank's Financial Fitness Center. One example is her role in an innovative project within Sun Prairie West High School that is educating a new generation on personal finance, home ownership, and business development. Exploring how these educational services aim to uplift individuals and small businesses, with a strong focus on equity and inclusion that supports small businesses. Pam is active with the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce, communicating, sharing and learning about new and different ways to help others.
Pam has been on the Board of the Sun Prairie Neighborhood Negators for about 4 years. She is now the chair and works closely with the Navigators to fund the Emergency Needs Fund so people in need in our community can get some help immediately until they can be referred to an organization that can help them longer term. She also serves as a board member for Sun Prairie Business and Education Partnership - BEP and advocates for those throughout Wisconsin with limb anomalies or have been impacted by limb loss through an event Limbitless Wisconsin. Pam was the voted the Best Businesswomen of Sun Prairie.
Bob & Karen Downing
Nominated By: Laura Jennings
Bob volunteers to provide rides to medical appointments for Sun Prairie resident senior adults. He provides multiple rides per week, and often in one day. His wife, Karen, backs him up when multiple rides are needed. He can be counted on to help in a pinch and puts in many hours and miles across Dane County to help so many people who don't have the family or funds to get to multiple medical appointments. Additionally, he volunteers as a driver for the Lions Club to transport corneas for transplant and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. His other interests include donating to the Educational Foundation and Early Childhood causes. After retiring as an Educator in Sun Prairie schools, Bob has spent 20+ years serving the community. Bob and Karen exemplify the meaning of Service Above Self!
Jane Nehmer
Nominated By: Connie Vacho, et. Al (4 people from SFTSM nominated her)
Jane goes above and beyond in all she does. The love and support she shows our community by supporting Shelter from the Storm Ministries with her skills is top-notch. She organizes our finances professionally and keeps everything in line. Her expertise helps us aid more homeless children and their mothers. Jane is an amazing, selfless pillar of the Sun Prairie Community. She volunteers countless hours to help people in need. She is a gift to our community.
Stu Kleinschmidt
Nominated By: Terry Weisensel & Diana Konkel
Stu has been helping people in the Sun Prairie community for almost 50 years. He taught and coached at Sun Prairie Middle schools for 34 years. While there, he took his students on yearly trips to Washington, D.C. Stu is also active at his church, Our Savior’s Lutheran. In retirement, he volunteers at Cards Closet and Sunshine Supper and he fills other days doing handyman projects for family and friends. As a grandparent, he attends almost all of his 3 grandkids' school and sporting events. For the last several Rotary Golf outings he has brought a team to participate in it.
We are pleased to announce this year’s Student winners:
Vahnyah Valah Vanessa Vickerman-Kelley
Nominated By: Terry Weisensel & Rich Holsinger
Vahnyah goes above and beyond to help others. As a sophomore at Sun Prairie East H.S., she maintains a 4.0 GPA, plays tenor sax in the Jazz Band, and is a member of Wind Ensemble, FFA, Interact and the Tennis Team. Despite her busy schedule she helped at the Rotary Kentucky Derby Party on the same day she had worked at a volunteer plant sale in the morning. She also helped out Rotary last year at the Taylor Swift Concert.
Pragnya Vella
Nominated by: Mary D’Amico
Pragnya Vella has been an invaluable supporter of the Sun Prairie Business Improvement District (BID) and a remarkable community leader. As the senior high school representative on the BID Board and President of Sun Prairie West High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), she has contributed far beyond what is expected of a student leader. She coordinated high school volunteers for BID events, led an Instagram marketing training to help local businesses grow their digital presence, and co-presented with the BID to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, sharing her perspective on youth engagement with businesses in Downtown Sun Prairie.
Beyond her work with the BID, Pragnya has also represented Wisconsin at the national level for FBLA, competed on the high school tennis team, and has consistently been involved in a wide variety of community service projects throughout Sun Prairie. Her poise, leadership, and commitment to service have had a lasting impact on our downtown district and the broader community. Pragnya is a shining example of what it means to serve others with dedication, humility, and heart, and she is a truly deserving candidate for the Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award.