(Batesville, IN) – Four Southeastern Indiana YMCA staff were recognized at the June meeting of its Board of Directors, for going above and beyond the call to serve others and advance the mission of the Y.
The YMCA S.O.A.R. Award (Service and Outstanding Achievement Recognition) was presented to Ava Kraus, Caity Yeager, Nick Becker and Amber Rossman.
The S.O.A.R. Award honors staff leaders who illustrate outstanding efforts to contribute to the success of the Southeastern Indiana YMCA community through their service and achievements.
Ava Kraus, Child Watch Staff – “Ava always has a smile on her face,” shared Tameeka Sizemore, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Membership Director, who nominated Ava. “She’s so good with all the parents and children. They love coming to see her. She’s always willing and ready to step up and fill in whenever needed. We’re so excited to have her on our team and look forward to seeing what the future has in store.”
Caity Yeager, Welcome Center Specialist – “Caity is the one that greets you with a happy ‘hello’ when you walk through the door during the day,” said Sizemore. “She joined the Y last October with all hands on deck. She immediately connected with our members and knows them by name. She’ll even compliment you on your new haircut and notice your sporty new glasses. Caity worked on our Annual Campaign for the first time and she was so nervous getting started. But she’s doing an amazing job. She’s a rock star and we’re so glad to have her with us!”
Nick Becker, Facilities Manager – “Nick has been an awesome addition to the Y,” shared Tara Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Southeastern Indiana YMCA. “He is our doer of everything. His background was in construction management, but after just a week on the job he was a pro with managing our facility. He takes care of so many things behind the scenes that we as members and staff have no idea about. He’s done an amazing job overseeing the renovations of the new Makerspace in our Rec Room and the Pool Retreat, on top of all of his other daily duties. Congratulation and thank you Nick!”
Amber Rossman, Youth Experience Director – “Amber joined us last December and has been integral in the development of many new youth programs as well as enhancing existing ones,” said Britton. “She leads our before and afterschool program, summer day camp, sports and youth experience programming, and starting this fall – Y Pack, which is the afterschool latch key program at Batesville Primary School that our Y will be facilitating. This summer she launched Camp Alon at the Girl Scout House. We’re in week five of camp and we have our largest enrollment ever. Parents have commented on their kids coming home and falling asleep from all the fun they had outside all day. We want to thank Amber for her hard work, long hours and dedication. In addition to staff who nominated Amber, one of our Board Members who also nominated Amber stated, ‘Thank you for your efforts in planning and implementing so many wonderful programs for the youth in our community,’” shared Britton.
“I am very proud of the numerous accomplishments and initiatives that our team has made to strengthen our community,” added Britton.
(Southeastern Indiana YMCA press release)
