SIYMCA staff receive S.O.A.R. Awards

Pictured from left to right are Southeastern Indiana YMCA Learning Center Education Coordinator McKenzie Callahan, S.O.A.R. Award recipients DeDe McQueen and Kathleen Bohman, and SIYMCA Executive Director Tara Britton. (Provided Photo)

(Batesville, IN) – Continuing a tradition of recognizing individuals who have furthered the Y’s mission of promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility the Southeastern Indiana YMCA recognized two of its staff members in May with the S.O.A.R. Award (Service and Outstanding Achievement Recognition).

“Dede McQueen and Kathleen Bohman have enhanced the quality of life for the YMCA community and effectively promoted the YMCA’s mission with colleagues, members, and externally within the local community,” said Tara Britton, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Chief Executive Officer.

Dede McQueen – “Formerly a gymnastics instructor at our Y from 2009–2017, we are so thankful that Dede is back with us,” said McKenzie Callahan, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Learning Center Education Coordinator. “Dede is an Interim Lead Teacher in the Dragon Fly Preschool Classroom. She is a leader, she is caring and she is passionate. She builds relationships with each kiddo in her classroom. The Dede difference is that her bonds are strong and they are genuine. I admire her for that. She is more than deserving of this award, and I am so glad that I can present this to her.”

Kathleen Bohman – “Kathleen has done amazing work with design, marketing, and elevating our brand through the last month, in particular. Through April and in 2023 overall, she has led the charge for our Y with summer camp and preschool registrations, two membership joiners fee specials, transitioning us to paperless program guides which have had major expense savings, 30th-anniversary marketing and focus, and the amazing graphics on the windows, just to name a few. I am grateful for her expertise and leadership, and to have her on our team,” said Britton.

“We congratulate and honor these staff for exemplary service to students, members, and co-workers and for showing initiative and innovation in their work towards modeling the Y’s core values,” added Britton.

(Southeastern Indiana YMCA press release)