Above and Beyond Members

Above and Beyond Members of ESA for 2010-2011
To be Given Recognition at the 2011 KSC Convention in Great Bend

Mary Wisennand – Alpha Phi – Elkhart

Twenty-five years ago our outstanding member received a gift of life; a new heart. And for 25 years she has been giving back many times over. She has talked with dozens of transplant patients, giving them encouragement and hope. She is an inspiration and a walking miracle. She keeps busy working at the Elkhart Tri-State News Office. She serves on the Morton County Economic Development Board of Directors, Morton County Health System Board of Directors, 21st Century After School Advisory Board, High Plains Health Foundation Board, and is a member of the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce as well as the Lions Club, and of course ESA. Her biggest accomplishment is her family, daughter and son-in-law: Tammie and Brian Elson and grandsons; Austin and Lance. She is a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Chapter of ESA, always ready to serve and help where needed. We are proud that Mary Wisennand is our Outstanding Member.

Janice Kay Curtis – Delta Eta – Elkhart

Janice Kay is not just an outstanding member; she is a friend, a confidant and above all an outstanding person. Janice Kay grew up in the Elkhart area, married Jim and had three beautiful children: Todd, Troy, and Kelli. She now gets to share them with two beautiful grandchildren; Sophia and Will. She also has a son-in-law, Johnny and a daughter-in-law, Wendy. She is a person who loves life and enjoys life. She loves to garden and take care of her trees. She has been known to sing at special occasions. She is very well known to have a great sense of humor and can always make you laugh. Janice Kay taught the fifth grade Social Studies for many years and has touched many lives throughout those years. She is someone who will always volunteer when needed unless KU basketball is on TV; then you might have a hard time getting her away from the TV. She is an avid fan and loves basketball in general. Janice Kay has held several positions in Delta Eta and she is always there with helpful information and is one of our go to people. We love Janice Kay and believe that she is very deserving of the title, “Outstanding Member.”

Leah Hood – Eta Beta – Liberal

Leah is a 50-year-member of ESA and Eta Beta . Eta Beta had only a chapter for four years when Leah joined. Leah has been an enthusiastic, active and faithful member ever since her initiation. She has served as our chapter president three times and has held every position in the chapter. She has also been active in our District and attends most of our District meetings. Leah is always ready to serve and help with any project that Eta Beta works on. Leah’s family and friends are always her first priority but ESA comes in a close second. Leah has worked with young people for much of her life from being a youth leader at her church and through her involvement with the church. She also worked as a school secretary for many years.

She and her husband owned their own business until they retired and Leah kept their books. Paul and Leah have been married for 60 years and have two daughters and one son. They also have two grandchildren and one great grandchild. They adore them all.

Leah has always been very involved in our community and belongs to several organizations and does volunteer work for them all. Leah is just a wonderful lady to have in our chapter because she is always there to help out Eta Beta, ESA, and her chapter sisters. We are proud to recognize our only 50-year member, Leah Hood as outstanding.

Karen Lindberg - Zeta Gamma -

Each year chapters of ESA honor members who go above and beyond in their efforts to provide support to those in need. This year Zeta Gamma is proud to announce that Karen Lindberg was selected as the outstanding sister for 2011. Karen has been a member of Zeta Gamma for 21 years. During that time she has held numerous offices and spent countless hours in service to others. She is an exemplary member who is quick to step in where ever she is needed. ESA supports valuable organizations such as; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Heartspring, a worldwide center for communication handicaps, and a multitude of local projects such as, Camp Hope, the Food Bank, Humane Shelter, and many more. Karen is a wonderful asset to Zeta Gamma and all that this organization stands for.

Kay Steckmans – Alpha Iota – Medicine Lodge

Kay is a willing worker and a great ESA sister. She isn’t able to go to all District and State functions because of her job and family, but is always there to help in other ways. She is on several chapter committees and is our recording secretary for the second year. She has been a big asset to Alpha Iota Chapter.

Jenny Lu Hey – Theta Pi – Jetmore

Jenny Lu Hey, our outstanding sister for this year, is a charter member of Theta Pi Chapter. She is serving as an officer on both the chapter and district level. She has a way of making you feel the importance of being a sister and a friend. Her smile and pleasant personality makes all of our projects fun. We are very proud of you, Jenny Lu.

Barbara Smith - Zeta Phi - Junction City

Barbara has a heart of gold. She will do anything for anyone in a time of need. She has held every chapter office at least once and is active in District functions. In addition to working full time Barbara is also involved in several other veteran and motorcycle related organizations. She is also a supporter of the local animal shelter. Barb just recently volunteered to take over the remaining term of Chapter Treasurer when it was vacated. She has been very active at the state level for many years and is a valued asset to ESA.

Kristi Conine – Alpha Omega – Scott City

Alpha Omega, Scott City says, “Our outstanding sister is Kristi Conine. She joined Alpha Omega in 2009. Kristi is a First Pearl recipient and is well on her way to her First Degree Pallas Athene. Kristi always says, “I will” and she DOES. She organizes banquets, socials, and educational that always comes out perfectly. Kristi spends many hours organizing the food baskets that the sorority gives on Thanksgiving and Christmas and keeps track of the local grocery store points accumulated by the Chapter for the Community Breadbasket. Need something done? Kristi will do it.

Sandra Messenger - Zeta Phi - Junction City

Sandra is a vital member of our chapter. She travels from Abilene for Chapter meetings, socials, and ways & means projects. She is presently serving as Chapter Vice President and social / rush chair. Sandra is District J’s secretary and will be installed as Treasurer on March 13. Since retiring, she stays active by quilting, wheat weaving, and serving as a docent for the Seelye Mansion. Sandra has great ideas and always has a great attitude.

Patsy Jenks – Alpha Zeta - Garden City

Patsy Jenks has been a member of ESA since 1994. She has held a number of positions on the local, district and state level. She has been District G Chair and is currently now serving her Chapter, Alpha Zeta, as President. Her Alpha Zeta sisters are excited that Patsy will be serving as the State Membership Director for the year 2011-2012.

Patsy is a courageous woman and has a very strong faith in God. Even when she is feeling down, she always has a smile for others. At each of our chapter meetings she utilizes her leadership abilities by always having words of encouragement for each and every member to make each one of us feel so special. Patsy has spent her years in ESA dedicated to serving others, working to the best of her ability for our philanthropic organizations and caring for her friends, family and ESA Sisters. For all of these reasons, Patsy is definitely an outstanding member of Alpha Zeta.

Anita Gottsponer – Alpha Zeta – Garden City

Anita Gottsponer has been a member of ESA for 5 years. She has been the Chapter Treasurer for the last 2 years as well as participating on the District and State level. Anita is dedicated to promote growth in ESA and is always willing to serve wherever she is needed with a smile. She works hard in all of our ESA endeavors and inspires her Alpha Zeta Sisters to want to achieve more! Anita looks for new and innovative ways to promote ESA and keep our members enthusiastic about being part of this great organization. In January she and three of her Chapter sisters worked and helped to make the Heartland Heroes event for wounded soldiers in Garden City a success. If we need something done, we always know we can call Anita and it gets taken care. It has been wonderful and inspiring to watch Anita’s leadership in ESA grow and develop! We are excited to see how she can make a difference in both to our ESA philanthropies and to our bonds as sisters. Anita is definitely an outstanding member of Alpha Zeta!

Sharon Capansky – Alpha Iota – Medicine lodge

Sharon is a member that is always involved whether it is a chapter project or a state meeting. Our chapter counts on her to do whatever is necessary to keep everything on track. She has served on all levels, local, district, and state. Sharon enjoys going to the state meetings and learning new things to do for ESA. Sharon is our chapter’s lighthouse, quietly, and steadily showing the way.

Bernie Hedinger - Gamma Lambda - Manhattan

Bernie pledged with Gamma Lambda in 1998. Since then she has been a valuable member, serving on numerous committees. She is always there to help with our many projects. Her cheerful smile brightens our day. She has volunteered to co-chair the contact committee (along with her daughter-in-law, Sari) for most of her years in Gamma Lambda. Her winning smile can be heard over the phone as she keeps us all informed of up-coming events and the latest news.

Ginger Garwick - Gamma Lambda - Manhattan

Ginger has been a member of Gamma Lambda for 27 years. For at least 20 of those years she has volunteered to serve as Jonquil Girl. She never misses a chance to send flowers, a card, or prayer request whenever needed. She also volunteers to serve on several committees each year and she is always there to help with philanthropic projects. Her up-beat personality is part of the "glue" that holds our group together.

Delores Currier - Delta Delta - Ulysses

Our outstanding member has been active at the chapter, district, and state levels of Epsilon Sigma Alpha for 34 years. She is the keeper of much of our chapter’s history and has served as our awards and philanthropic chair for many years.

Our community has benefited from her willingness to volunteer her time and efforts. She serves on numerous boards and/or committees and holds an office in more than one organization. She is committed to doing what is right and serving to the best of her ability. She is truly outstanding! Delores Currier

Sandie White - Zeta Epsilon - Overland Park

Enthusiastic, friendly, loyal, compassionate, energetic, funny, dependable … all these describe Sandie White, our outstanding member. Sandie will do anything, be anywhere, and take on whatever she is asked to do, and when she sees the need, she steps up willing without being asked. She has been involved in every chapter project and picked up the slack for anyone who has been ill, out of town, or had another commitment. Sandie does this with a smile and enthusiasm that sets the tone in our chapter for what ESA is all about. We are so blessed to call her our sister and friend.

Betty Fiel - Iota Kappa - Wichita

Betty is very dedicated to ESA. She knows more about this organization than most people. You ask her a question and she has the answer. Betty has been an ESA member for 35 years. In Iota Kappa she has held every office several times. Betty is always ready to do whatever needs to be done. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

Melissa Small - Beta Rho - Independence

Melissa and her husband, Duane operate greenhouses and graciously donate flowers and plants to many philanthropic projects. Melissa has chaired many local committees and will be Generalissimo of the weeklong Ncenollah Celebration which requires yearlong meetings. When Melissa is called upon, she willingly and without hesitation will do what is asked. She has held officer positions, committee chair positions of Beta Rho and keeps us rolling. Our local community thinks of her as a philanthropist. We and others are lucky to have her. Melissa is a mother of three boys. Faith, family, and friends keep her busy.

B.J. Weixelman - Gamma Omicron - Manhattan

B.J. became a member of the Gamma Omicron Chapter in Manhattan in October of 1966. Since then she has held many offices and has been president of our chapter twice. She has also held most offices on the Zone/District level. When I (Brenda Schaffer) became a member I immediately noticed how warm and kind B.J. is. She is always willing to lend a helping hand. B.J. has been on the calling tree for numerous years and has participated in our chapter's nut sales project over the past several years. Each and every year B.J. gets on the phone and calls several different people and always sells over 200 pounds of nuts. We all know this takes several hours of work, but B.J. always does it. We are proud to have her as one of our sisters!

Anna Kitchen - Eta Theta - Cheney

Anna Kitchen has been a member of Eta Theta for 28 years. Anna has held many offices in our Chapter and been on many committees on the state level. Anna is the “MacGyver” when it comes to decorating. The “Queen” of gossamer & spray glitter. Her talents have been used at many state conventions and also at the I.C. level. Anna always has a smile, a quick “we can do that” attitude and a willingness to go above and beyond of whatever anyone asks of her. We are truly blessed to have her in our chapter.

Ludi Egging - Epsilon Pi - Pratt

Ludi is a new member to ESA and boy does she light up our lives. Always cheerful and ready to pitch in with our chapter projects. She has earned her First Pearl 1+1 in her first year of membership. She willingly has taken an elective office for next year and has assumed chairmanships to help our Philanthropic projects. We need a dozen more just like Ludi to energize our chapter and pump some life into us. We love our Ludi and are so blessed to have her in our chapter as she just operates "Above and Beyond" all the time. She's a real leader.

Laura Williamson - Epsilon Pi - Pratt

Laura Williamson joined Epsilon Pi this year but she is a long time member of ESA. Laura has been a wonderful addition to our chapter. She is very willing to take on leadership roles in the chapter, district and state to help with the work of ESA. She has taken on the duties in District E to be the Chairman and will do this job again next year. Her level of enthusiasm for ESA is truely outstanding and we are very please to place her in the Above and Beyond category and recognize her as one of our outstanding leaders in ESA.

Jackie Fraenza - Epsilon Eta - Topeka

Jackie Fraenza is a 36 year member of ESA. She is currently a member of Epsilon Eta chapter of Topeka. Jackie is very involved in the local community and has helped many of her chapter sisters find out about this great community. Jackie has had several wonderful ideas for socials including Topeka Civic Theatre and Potwin Pottery. Jackie's daughter, Desi, has also joined our chapter. This year Jackie is our educational director and will receive her Gold Link award. Perhaps Jackie's greatest contribution has been her affiliation with the Topeka Rescue Mission which has officially been designated as a chapter philanthropic project.

Debbie Craig - Beta Beta - Andover

Debbie gave it her all when serving as our Chapter President. She used her energy to give our Chapter a power boost and got us involved in projects. She also worked on these projects. She was very organized and her concern and care for people in need is very real.

Peggy Harrison - Beta Beta - Andover

No matter what the project or event, Peggy is there to help. She is willing to do her part for all activities and help others when there is a need. She has become a willing member to work at the State level. Her smile is very contagious.

Debbie Marlow - Eta Rho - Derby

Eta Rho chose Debbie as our Outstanding Member this year. She is a two year member that embraces ESA’s ideals and has earned her 1st pearl and 1st degree Pallas Athene. Eta Rho can always count on Debbie to help with all philanthropic and ways and means projects. She is always there to give a hug or words of encouragement when needed. Debbie’s creativity, spontaneity and bubbly personality are an asset to our sorority.

Helen Stitt - Chi Epsilon - Wichita

Helen is an ESA member extraordinaire. She keeps up and knows simply everything about the by-laws to projects and meetings at every level. Helen is the kind of strong diplomatic leader we can follow with assurance and know she is there to learn from. Helen is a great leader, teacher, sister and friend whom you can count on.

Rachael Livermore - Alpha Zeta - Garden City

Alpha Zeta’s outstanding member, Rachel Livermore, is often described as being beautiful on the inside as well as the out. She is always available to help but is definitely not someone who wants to attract attention. She does things in her quiet, sweet way to help others. She is there to lend support to others in the chapter whatever their need may be. She is involved at all levels of ESA in our state by serving as a chapter officer, attending district functions, and serving on the state council. The chapter would like to thank her for just being her and would like for everyone else to know how wonderful she is.

Linda Morris - Alpha Delta - Winfield

Members of Alpha Delta think that Linda is a true asset to ESA. She has invested 28 years in her membership pledging into ESA in 1982. This past year she served in the capacity of Educational Director. Linda has achieved her Fourth Degree Pallas Athene and her First Pearl. She has pledged two members into ESA. She is a striver and a hard worker. She is very loyal and dedicated member. Linda likes perfection and works hard for her chapter. She is a caring lady and possesses a great sense of humor.

Linda Herburger - Alpha Delta - Winfield

Linda served as chapter president of Alpha Delta last year having pledged her membership in 1994. She has achieved her Second Degree Pallas Athene, and pledge one new member to ESA. She is a caring, fun-loving sister with a great sense of humor. She has given ESA 16 years of loyalty and dedication. Linda is a dependable member and does everything her chapter asks of her.

Terri Clark - Chi Epsilon - Wichita

Terri is the sister that works on every project, attends every function and is always there for her sisters in the chapter, district and state. She is a positive ray in the lives of everyone she contacts and deals with everything in a straight forward loving manner. Terri is simply outstanding-the ideal sister.

Dorothy Hawk - Iota Mu - Wichita

Dorothy joined ESA in November 1948 in Harper, Kansas. Her chapter was Beta Mu. Dorothy moved to Wichita in 1950 and joined Iota Mu in 1954. She has been president of her chapter five times and has held all offices. Dorothy held offices in District D and was president in 1974-75. At the present time she is chapter treasure and Educational chairman. She has been a great asset to her chapter with her knowledge and wisdom. Dorothy has one son and three grandchildren.

Ann Merrett - Eta Phi - Wichita

Ann has served ESA and Eta Phi for eleven years. She was Chapter President for two years and is serving her 2nd term as District D Chairman this coming year of 2011-2012. Ann has worked hard for the past eight years on the chapter’s school projects to collect and provide all school supplies to the entire 5th grade class at Isely Elementary School. She has won 1st place for the chapter scrapbook at State Convention for two years. Ann has worked hard on three levels of ESA as well as had fun and gained a sense of belonging.

Julie Hungate - Delta Epsilon - Wichita

Julie is funny and sassy! She exudes the meaning of being a true ESA sister. This member communicates her love of ESA in so many ways by sharing her graciousness, poise and friendliness with everyone whose life she touches. Her graciousness shines through as she participates in all ESA activities. The poise she expresses as she attends not only ESA chapter functions, district meetings, state board meetings and conventions but also activities in her church and community demonstrate her leadership qualities. Finally her family, friends and especially her ESA sisters feel the joy of her friendliness every time she walks into a room. She has led her chapter well as president for the past two years and has pledged several new members including the two that have become active Delta Epsilon members during the past year. Julie Hungate truly exemplifies the qualities all ESA sisters strive for.

Sue Peckham - Beta Epsilon - Frankfort

Beta Epsilon would like to honor Sue Peckham as a 2011 Above & Beyond member. This year Sue will celebrate 45 years of service in ESA. She has been a dedicated member providing loyalty and service to her chpater by always being willing to say, "yes". Her committment to ESA is proven by attaining her 5th Degree. She has gone above and beyond with her support to many local and state projects, St Jude Hosptial and the generous donation to the ESA Foundation in memory of her husband. She is a special Beta Epsilon member and we are proud to honor her as our 2011 Outstanding ESA member.

The Outstanding member program gives the chapter a way to honor and recognize ESA members who have gone above and beyond for ESA. Members give of themselves in multiple ways to advance the success of ESA and their chapter. It is no longer required to count points or wait until the end of the year to recognize our outstanding members. If a chapter has a member that has gone "Above and Beyond" in any way to promote ESA over the years the State Council wants to recognize these individuals. It is not necessary to limit the time considerations to a single year if the member has done something over the long term. A chapter can nominate up to two members in a year's time. The members nominated throughout the year will be honored and featured on this page. They will be recognized at State Convention in the spring.

Feature your outstanding members today! Fill out and submit this form along with a photograph to the Outstanding Sister Chairman. A copy can be emailed to the Webmaster for the site entry. (Click the button)

We now have an on-line form for your convenience. (click the button)

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