Junior League of Akron announces 2016 award recipients

The Junior League of Akron has announced the recipients of its 2016 annual awards.

The Junior League of Akron Sustainer Inspiration Award is presented to a woman who embodies The Junior League of Akron’s mission of empowering women for positive change in the community.

It is given to a sustaining member whose League and community service have inspired other members and whose experience has served as a springboard for greater positive impact on the Akron community.

This year’s recipient of the Sustainer Inspiration Award is Barbara Sigler Dietirich of Silver Lake. Barbara joined the Junior League of Akron in 1958 and was an active member until 1976. While in the League, she served the League in many capacities including, art editor of the Loudspeaker, golf co-chair, education committee, chairman of Designer Symposium, provision committee, placement advisor, seedlings treasurer, ways and means committee and many others. She is still involved actively involved in many Akron-area organizations such as the Women’s Board of Children’s Hospital, Twigs #39, the World Series of Golf, the Northern Ohio Golf Association Foundation Board, Blossom Board of the Cleveland Orchestra, Akron Friends of Blossom, the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Women’s Auxiliary, the Silver Lake Historical Society and the Junior League of Akron Seedlings.

 The President’s Award is a highly prestigious award given to a member who has not only shown outstanding commitment to the League and to the community, but has also demonstrated a willingness to assume responsibility and take on leadership roles.

This member should be a positive influence on others, as both an exemplary volunteer, role model for members and a leader in the league.

The winner of the President’s Award is Julie Miller of Stow. Julie currently teaches English at Maple Heights High School. She joined the League in 2009 and has served in a variety of roles such as Vice President of Community Outreach, Early Bird Bustle co-chair, ShowHouse Gala co-chair, Fund Development committee and Community Outreach committee. Julie also planned the Junior League of Akron’s first Touch-a-Truck event for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve and added the League’s newest focus project, Blessings in a Backpack.

The Rookie of the Year Award is an honor bestowed to a member in her first year of active membership who has been an inspiration and mentor to the rest of the New Member class. She has been involved in other JLA projects and has demonstrated the willingness to take on other projects or tasks, and is considered consistently dependable.

The recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award is Erin Thompson of Akron. Erin currently works for FirstEnergy as an analyst in the Strategy and Long Term Planning division. She joined the Junior League of Akron in 2014. Erin is currently serving as Treasurer and has been involved as a member of the Membership council, where she has helped to plan recruitment events and socials for the League.

The Unsung Hero Award is awarded to a member whose participation has had a great incremental impact on the Junior League of Akron and who has gone above and beyond to get things done.

The Unsung Hero Award recipient is Jessica Duncan of Akron. Jessica is a Payroll Specialist for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Jessica joined the League in 2012 and currently serves as Vice President of Fund Development. She has also served on the Fund Development committee, Community Outreach committee, Membership committee and was Fundraising Co-Chair for the 2015 Early Bird Bustle.

The Junior League of Akron is a nonprofit organization formed in 1926 that provides opportunities for women to gain valuable volunteer expertise as well as professional skills while working on vital community projects. The Junior League of Akron empowers women for positive change in our community. To learn more information about The Junior League of Akron, call (330) 836-4905 or visit www.juniorleagueakron.org.