Leader’s Circle of Indiana County History
For almost half a century, the Leader’s Circle of Indiana County has been annually recognizing outstanding individuals that have had an impact on our community through their civic and volunteer activities. Initially, two awards were presented – the ATHENA Award and the Civic Leader of the Year Award. In 1984, the Civic Leader award was changed to recognize both a male and female civic leader. In 2017, the ATHENA Young Professional Award was added. The first Civic Leader award was presented in 1979 to the late Roger Reschini, and the first Athena Award was presented in 1987 to Ellen Ruddock. The first ATHENA Young Professional Award was presented to Haley Pazder in 2017.
The LCIC committee consists of community leaders, including past award recipients, who volunteer their time to recognize the good works of the people of Indiana County. Each year nominations are solicited and reviewed, and finalists are announced. Judging of nominations is done by judges who live outside of Indiana County. Awards are then presented at a dinner event in the fall.
Past ATHENA Award Recipients
- 2021 – Connie Bence
- 2019 – Jennifer Myers
- 2018 – Dr. Carolyn Princes
- 2017 – Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes
- 2016 – Holly Rougeaux
- 2015 – Kelly Pidgeon
- 2014 – Kelly Polando and Rod Ruddock
- 2013 – Carol Hanna
- 2012 – Michelle Fryling
- 2011 – Kay Smith
- 2010 – Gladys Knox
- 2009 – Laurel Diznoff
- 2007 – Dr. Edwina Vold
- 2006 – Denise Clawson
- 2005 – Carol Fry
- 2004 – Kathy King
- 2003 – Megan White
- 2002 – Chuck Spadafora
- 2001 – Dr. Stella Boron
- 2000 – JoAnne Peterson
- 1999 – Janet Daugherty
- 1998 – Valeri Lazor
- 1997 – Betty Wood
- 1996 Claire Hogan
- 1995 – Tris Nelson
- 1994 – Lenore Patton
- 1993 – Dr. M. Dorcas Clark
- 1992 – Naketa Dobbins
- 1991 – Dr. Hilda Richards
- 1990 – Dr. Ruth Riesenman
- 1989 – Ann Pentz
- 1988 – Janet Moreau
- 1987 – Ellen Ruddock
Past Civic Leader Award Recipients
- 2021 – Jennifer Rairigh, Wayne Obitz
- 2019 – Joyce Sharman, Josh Rosenberger
- 2018 – Laurie Kuzneski, Dr. Robert King
- 2017 – Meghan Foulk, Bernie Lockard
- 2016 – Kathy King, Dr. Ralph May
- 2015 – Sherry Renosky, Dr. Hal Wingard
- 2014 – Vera Bonnet, Bill Stancombe
- 2013 – Connie Bence, Charles “Skip” McGreevy
- 2012 – Loretta Rittle, Jonathan Mack
- 2011 – Jennifer Myers, Walter Lewis
- 2010 – Hastie Kinter, William Simmons
- 2009 – Kathleen Mack, Fred Yun
- 2008 – Kris Mellinger, Bill Otto
- 2007 – Susan (Shank) Gawel, Carl Kologie
- 2006 – Becky Farren, Joanne Torrance, Terry Appolonia, Steve Wolf
- 2005 – Michelle Fryling, Glenn Brant
- 2004 – Mary Beth Akbay, Donna Griffith, Tom Harley, Don Huey
- 2003 – Kay Smith, Harry McFarland
- 2002 – Nancy Sherry, Ed Bratton
- 2001 – Sadie Smith, Robert Marcus
- 2000 – Ellen Ruddock, Mike P. Donnelly
- 1999 – Cindy Briggs, Dana Henry
- 1998 – Dr. Ann Wilmoth, George Crock
- 1997 – Virginia Randolph, Charles Spadafora
- 1996 – Claire Hogan, Thomas Zaucha
- 1995 – Edith Magistrella, Keith Bloom
- 1994 – Donna Zorich, Eugene Jones
- 1993 – Susan Querry, James Shertzer
- 1992 – Naketa Dobbins, Virgil Vaughn
- 1991 – Frances Harvey, William Neal
- 1990 – Rose Reschini, Donald Fritz
- 1989 – Elaine Anne Kimmel, Andrew Kuzneski
- 1988 – Dr. M. Dorcas Clark, Jay Rubin
- 1987 – Marge Scheeren, Ned Glessner
- 1986 – Elaine Carbone, Carson Greene
- 1985 – Lucilla Donnelly, Frederick Moreau
- 1984 – Marian Mihalcik, Gerald Pike
- 1983 – James Strittmatter
- 1982 – Donald Myers
- 1981 – Susan Delaney
- 1980 – Blaine Grube
- 1979 – Roger Reschini
Past ATHENA Young Professional Award Recipients
- 2021 – Ashley Treese
- 2019 – Madison Sabo
- 2018 – Sarah Hillegas
- 2017 – Haley Pazder