Service Above Self Awards

Nominated by: Jim Mastrangelo

 

Sandy has been a resident of Sun Prairie for over 20 years. Sandy has contributed immensely to the Sun Prairie community through his appreciation for the environment, his passion for theater, and his dedication to youth development. These are illustrated by his involvement in the following programs:

 

Discovery club: Sandy wrote the original grant request in 1998 to provide funds for the Patrick March Middle School program. Sandy has mentored hundreds of middle schoolers over the past twenty years through this unique program. Sun Prairie Rotary has been a major financial and volunteer donor to the Patrick Marsh conservancy over the years.

 

Sun Prairie Civic Theater: Sandy has been an active participant of the SPCT since 2001. Not only has he directed and acted in many productions, Sandy also served on the board for nine years and was president for a two year term.

 

Youth ministry: Sandy organized several youth ministry groups connected to the United Methodist Church in Sun Prairie. These include the following:

 

Sandy has touched many of our Sun Prairie neighbors through Service Above Self efforts. In recognition of his efforts, I would like to nominate Sandy for the Sun Prairie Service Above Self Award.

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Lorie DeLong-Candelmo

Nominated by: Ann Oberle and Heather Jones

 

On behalf of myself and Heather Jones, I am pleased to nominate Lorie DeLong-Candelmo for a Rotary Service Above Self Award. I first met Lorie when she was head chaperone for the Sound of Sun Prairie and I was a new parent chaperone. As head chaperone, she organized and motivated the parent volunteers and traveled to nearly every marching band performance, slept on countless gym floors, and trudged gallons and gallons of water, all for the kids.

 

As I got to know Lorie better, I learned that not only was she one of the best raffle ticket sales persons around, she was a community leader involved in far more than just marching band in Sun Prairie.

 

She is a very active member of the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church where she chaired strategic planning, staff parish, the building fund of two building committees, trustee, and church council; she served on the board of directors for Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation for 8 years, and chaired the Grants committee.

 

Her other activities include:

 

Lorie is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Transportation Hose, Americas AC, Brake, TOC/EOC Continental ContiTech-Fluid Technologies; and has been a very active member of the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce. She was the 2016 Recipient of the Sun Prairie Community Business Leader Award.

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Paul Esser (Mayor)

Nominated by: Bill Wambach

 

Paul and his wife, Carol, came to Sun Prairie in June of 1970 to stay one year while Paul finished school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Carol taught Home Economics at Sun Prairie High School. As Paul finished school in the spring of 1971, they considered moving back to the Chicago suburbs but concluded that their life goals were to own a home and have a family and they could do that right there in Sun Prairie without needing to move.

 

Paul and Carol joined the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church and got involved there. Paul joined the JC’s service club and, in 1974, Mayor Bob Schaben appointed him to the Cable TV Commission, his first entry into city government. He began working for the Wisconsin Cheesemen in 1977 and over the years, Paul had undertaken many civic activities on the company’s behalf.

 

Paul joined the Sun Prairie YMCA board in 1977 and became active in the local YMCA and the Dane County Metro YMCA Board. He became a CPA in 1973 and got active in several professional accounting groups. Also, at this time, Paul begun teaching Accounting at MATC on a part-time basis which he continued to do for several years.

 

Paul was among the first group of volunteers when Sun Prairie started the volunteer emergency medical service.

 

He was also involved as a leader in both Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts when his sons were members of those programs.

 

In 1987, Paul was elected mayor and was reelected in 1989; he ran again and was elected in 2015 and reelected in 2017.

 

In 1996, he was part of a group that attempted to restart the Kiwanis Club in Sun Prairie.

 

Paul has also served in several capacities at his church. Currently, he is co-chair of the church’s Leadership Committee and chair of the Reconciling Committee—which advocates for members of the LGBTQ community within the Methodist Church.

 

Paul and Carol have been active in forming a PFLAG chapter in Sun Prairie for the LGBTQ community and they encourage Proud Theater—a theater program for LGBTQ youth and their allies.

 

Sun Prairie has provided Paul with many opportunities to serve the community and he has benefited greatly from those opportunities.

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Emma Johansson (Student)

Nominated By: Kati Telford (School Counselor at Sun Prairie High School)

 

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Emma Johansson as a candidate for the Service Above Self Award. I have served as Emma’s school counselor for the past 3 years, and have seen her grow into a deliberate, motivated, and devoted individual.

 

Emma has had a well-rounded academic career at Sun Prairie High School. She has been an active member of Drama Club, countless plays and musicals, wind ensemble, choir, and the Treble Ahead a cappella group that she co-funded. Emma was also selected to be a member of the National Honor Society. She had been heavily involved in the Sound of Sun Prairie marching band for the past few years. Emma reads our morning announcements every day for the whole school to hear and has done countless theater productions for SPHS. She also continues to participate on the forensics team and placed 5^th in state two years ago in four minute speaking, and 2^nd place this last year with a Prose Interpretation. She has also been recognized for her musical talents where she received a notable performance award for musical theater solo, solo and ensemble this past year. Emma also received a Tommy Award for outstanding supporting actor as Little Salty in Urinetown.

 

While participating in all of the above endeavors, Emma also did a great deal of volunteer work. She has spent time volunteering for Swing mentor for the Penguin Project. The Penguin Project is a group that provides opportunities in theater for children with disabilities. She has done a lot of volunteer work through her church by being a worship leader and helping with her church’s event called “A Night to Remember”- a prom for special needs students. Emma also had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Colorado with Next Step Ministries. Her involvement with her youth group has had major impact on her as a person and she had stated that it has made her grow as a leader, listener and even a performer. Band has also taught her a lot about leadership and service as well, especially with working towards a common goal to make a beautiful sound as a group.

 

While excelling in her academic career, maintaining a 3.98 GPA, and civic activities, Emma also managed to maintain job placements. She worked as a cashier and hostess at Which Wich. She also has a part time paid internship with Next Step Ministries as a part of the worship band.

 

Emma has my highest recommendation for this Service Above Self Award. She is a well-rounded individual who is both an excellent student and a civic minded person. She has outstanding work ethic as well as the diligence and optimism needed to be an excellent addition to your university and the community at large.

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Natalie Rodgers (Student)

Nominated By: Don Karsh, School Counselor at Sun Prairie High School

 

I have been Natalie Rodgers’ school counselor at Sun Prairie High School since September of 2015. Natalie is one of the most compassionate, determined, and involved students I have encountered. Natalie continues to put forth leadership in activities that help others and improve her own life skills while maintaining a 3.86 GPA and taking some of our most challenging courses. Natalie’s growth mindset and awareness of herself has led her to continually improve her confidence and academic skills. Natalie is the founding co-president of Prairie Promises 4H Group, which is a leadership development group for students interested in the arts and co-founder and communications director of the school a cappella group called “Treble Ahead.” Natalie’s initiative and passion for the arts and success in helping others has been noticed by her peers and adults. In fact, Natalie was the only counselor asked to have an adult role at a 4H arts camp where she helped leaders with theater production. She was also awarded the position of Assistant Vocal Director at the Sun Prairie Civic Theater production of the Music Man and interned for their production of “Oklahoma.”

 

Leading these groups has proven to be difficult and a worthwhile road for Natalie. Natalie has had struggles with confidence. Natalie is admirably introspective and reflects on how to make herself better by using her strengths and taking risks. She immersed herself in Student Council, Forensics Team, school musicals, and drama club where she faced fears and gained confidence in speaking and performing. Natalie has also volunteered numerous hours of her time to help others. One experience that made a substantial impact on Natalie was her involvement in the Penguin Project, a theater program for children with special needs, as a production assistant. Initially, Natalie was scared about how she would be able to effectively help and communicate with students with significant special needs and be a good leader. This experience gave her immense empathy and understanding for the children she worked with and came back elated about the work she did and the success of her students. In turn, Natalie had significantly increased her confidence when it came to taking a leadership role in a completely new experience.

 

I believe Natalie is fully deserving of this award as she exudes the qualifications and shows it through her positivity, compassion for others, integrity, leadership, service, and academic excellence.