Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Congratulations to the 2011 Star Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2011 Star Award Winners!
Please join me in congratulating the 2011 recipients of the Down Syndrome Indiana Star Award!
The first award goes to Diane Knollman. Diane serves as a Special Education teacher in the Carmel School district and is the mother of Patrick, her 20 year old son with Down syndrome. The entire Knollman Family has been active with Special Olympics, Best Buddies and Down syndrome Indiana. Diane has been a developmental therapist, a tutor, a teacher, a mentor and a friend to many parents and students with a disability.

The next award goes to: Patricia Finkley – Patricia was chosen to receive the award for outstanding volunteer effort. She exemplifies commitment and servant leadership. Her dedication to the community around her is inspiring. For the past 5 years, Patricia has served Down Syndrome Indiana in an excellent manner and has helped wherever and whenever needed. Truly deserving of this award, the 2nd star award for 2011 goes to Patricia Finkley.

The third and final award of 2011 goes to Andi Montgomery – If there is any doubt that an airport can be a positive addition to the community, just look at what Indianapolis Executive Airport and Montgomery Aviation have done in the past five years for Down Syndrome Indiana. They have raised over $56,000 to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome! This summer, they will continue their support with the 6th annual Fly-in on August 4th of 2012.

This year’s award is significant not only because of who the winners are but because the award itself was handmade by individuals with a disability, The Arc Artisans. A huge thank you to the Arc Artisans for making the arts more accessible to people with disabilities by engaging the power of the arts to use the abilities and accomplishments of these emerging artists to offer beauty and wonder to others in our community and beyond.