Annual Awards Ceremony and Breakfast

By Cheryl Heppner

Editor: HLAA does a great job of recognizing people who have made an extra effort to support the organization, and they recognize them at the Awards Breakfast at the Convention. Here's Cheryl's report on this event.

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One of my favorite events at every HLAA conference is the annual award ceremony and breakfast. There is nothing more inspiring than learning more about the accomplishments of extraordinary people and having a chance to thank them for their work.

On my way to Reno Ballroom for the event, I hooked up with Rosaline Crawford of the National Association of the Deaf, who is here to present on the legislative efforts of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology. I led her into the ballroom and discovered that all the tables were full, people were sitting on the floor waiting for additional tables to be delivered, others were standing in wait, still more were in line at the breakfast buffet, and others like us were still arriving. It was thrilling to see how many people had come to support the honorees.

Much earlier in the morning, I had taken Galaxy to the dog relief area outside the hotel and we'd found a deserted hallway where I could toss her soft little frisbee a few thousand times in the usual futile attempt to wear her out a bit. Jeannette Kanter, the host of the award ceremony, was also up early for some vigorous exercise, and to my delight she stopped for a long conversation. Last year she received a prestigious award and now I've fulfilled one of my wishes to get to know this remarkable woman better.

In addition to the special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr. Mark Ross the previous day, these are the 2008 award and recognition recipients:

National Access Award
James Cross, MD, Aetna Insurance National Head of Medical Policy and Program Administration
Presented by Brenda Battat
For providing and improving access in a significant way for people with hearing loss

Keystone Award
Kathy M. Borzell, Tampa, FL
Presented by Brenda Battat
For outstanding achievement and/or contribution to the establishment, advancement, and continued success of HLAA

Spirit of HLAA
Hollace Goodman, NY
Janet Haines, MI
Mildred Koop, WA
Barbara Tucker, CA
Presented by Anne Pope
For selfless dedication to the development of HLAA and its success

Advocacy
Albuquerque Chapter, NM - Steve Frazier
Whatcom County Chapter, WA - Bert Lederer and Charlene Mackenzie
Presented by Lise Hamlin
For outstanding accomplishment in educating others about crucial issues important to people with hearing loss

Family Involvement
Michael Kaplan, CA - Los Angeles County Chapter (husband of Alicia Fernandez)
Presented by Ahme Stone
For contribution to the growth and development of HLAA

Professional Advisor
Noreen Gibbens, Au.D. - Macomb County Chapter
Presented by Brenda Battat
For support of the HLAA self help movement

Best Chapter Website
Southwestern CT Chapter - Marcia Zola, Editor
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach

Chapter Newsletter - Honorable Mention
Central Virginia Chapter - Poppy Lesti, Editor
Saint Louis Chapter, MO - Nancy Dietrich, Editor
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach

Outreach Award
Southeastern Colorado Chapter
Augusta, Georgia Chapter
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach

Walk Recognition Awards
Atlanta, GA - Cathy Fletcher
Augusta, GA - Dave Welter
Chicago, IL - Kim Mettache, Ann Flannery, Kathy Cortopassi, John Jun
Downstate NY - Anne Pople
Houston, TX - Lois Johnson
Long Beach, CA - Barbara Tucker
Longmont, CO - Debbie Mohney
National Capital - Virginia Crocker
New England - Beth Wilson
Newton Square, PA - Dawn Maniskas, Donna Schumacher
North Texas - Kim Brownen, Joan O'Connor
Permian Basin, TX - Eugene McCumber
Rochester, NY - Pete Fackler
SE Michigan - Janet Haines
West Michigan - Marilyn Knol
Presented by Ronnie Adler

Rocky Stone Endowment Fund Grant Recipients
Dan Farfaglia - Albany, NY
Ann Monson - Centennial, CO
Sarah Rose - Larkspur, CA
Presented by Ahme Stone

Founder's Day Recognition
California State Association - $3,000
Los Angeles Chapter - $1,000
Diablo Valley Chapter - $625
Houston Chapter - $592
San Francisco Chapter - $515
San Antonio Chapter - $500
Peninsula Chapter - $500
Lane County Chapter - $500
Sacramento Chapter - $500
Rochester Chapter - $500
Shasta County Chapter - $500
Oklahoma City Chapter - $500
New Jersey State Association - $500
Presented by Christopher Sutton

State Leaders

State Organizations
Janet Haines, MI (2005-
Marilyn Finn, CA (2006-
Sue Campbell, WA (2006-7)

Incoming State Organization Leaders
Arlene Romoff, NJ (November 2007)
Mary Clark, CA (February 200
Carolyn Caughell, MI (January 200
Lona Jennings, WA (December 2007)

Outgoing State Chapter Coordinators
Barbara Tucker, Southern California (2001-
Wayne Benson, PA (2005-7)
Barbara Bavido, FL (2006-7)
Gayle Capps, GA (2007)
Liz Kobylack, MI (2000-7)

Incoming State Chapter Coordinators
Diane Gross, Southern California (200
Kathleen Niemeyer, PA (2007)
Larry Kavanaugh, FL (2007)
Presented by Lise Hamlin

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(c)2008 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030; www.nvrc.org. 703-352-9055 V, 703-352-9056 TTY, 703-352-9058 Fax. You do not need permission to share this information, but please be sure to credit NVRC