AWARDS DINNER

2026 NOMINEES ARE

Leaders from across Portage County gathered in September of 2025 to recognize and celebrate some of Portage County's best and brightest.  

Awards were given to nominees in the following areas: Community Hero, Community Improvement, Community Service, Employee of the Year, Health Initiative, and Youth Initiative. 

The evening included entertainment, food, and networking.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

2025 Winners:

• Great Achievement Award  - Mark Frisone

• Community Hero - Lajoyce Harris

• Community Improvement - Ravenna Pocket Park

• Community Service - Cocoon Makers

• Employee of the Year - Tracy Jobst

• Health - Portage County DD Smart Home

• Youth -  Captains Council (Streetsboro)
  
  2024 Winners

• Community Hero Award - Rebecca Schneider

• Community Improvement Award - Crafted Artisan Meadery | Suffield

• Community Service Award - Rake & Run | City of Aurora, AHS Interact Club, Rotary Club of Aurora 

• Employee of the Year Award - Zack Burns | Windham Jr Sr High  School

• Health Initiative Award - Grief Recovery Method | Kent City Health Department

• Youth Initiative Award - Youth to Youth Hygiene Product Project | Ravenna High School 

• Great Achievement Award - Jonathan Floyd

2023 Winners

• Community Hero Award - Deseree Liddell

• Community Improvement Award - Ravenna High School | Honors Civics Program

• Community Service Award - The Socially Responsible Sweatshop

• Employee of the Year Award - Tim Whittlesey | Atwater Township

• Health Initiative Award - Food for Life Market | University Hospitals Portage Medical Center

• Youth Initiative Award - Za'Nya Henderson | Windham High School 

2022 Winners

• Community Hero Award - Edie Benner

• Community Improvement Award - Mila's Hope and Rowyn's Dreams Playground

• Community Service Award - Open Arms Adoptions

• Economic Development Award - Buckeye Quality Meats

• Health Initiative Award - CIT Coordinator & Mental Health Outreach, Mental Health & Recovery Board and Coleman Health Services

• Youth Initiative Award - Mission: Hope & Housing, Theodore Roosevelt High School DECA Project

2021 Winners

• Community Improvement Award - Restoration 44 Coffee Shop

• Community Service Award - Portage CARES Community Food and Supplies Drive

• Economic Improvement Award - Independence of Portage County New Operations Center

• Health Initiative Award - Children's Advantage Family Center

• Pandemic Initiative Award - Portage County Health District

• Youth Initiative Award - Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program

• Community Hero Award - Jane Palmstrom

2019 Winners

• Best Economic Development Initiative - Ravenna7

• Best Community Service Initiative - Raven Packs

• Best Cultural Arts Initiative - THRIVE

• Best Healthy Communities Initiative - HOPE Program

• Best Student Initiative - Streetsboro Community Connect

• Community Hero - Leon Jankowski

2018 Winners

• Best Economic Development Project - Chestnut Commerce Center, Ravenna Facility Renovation

• Best Community Service Project - Passages, Fatherhood Celebration

• Best Arts and Culture Event - Portage County Randolph Fair

• Best Health Initiative - Drug Prevention Campaign, Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition

• Most Engaging High School - Crestwood High School, Junior-Senior Seminar

• Community Hero - Direct Support Professionals, Independence, Inc.

2017 Winners

• Best Economic Development Project - Sirna & Sons, Ravenna Facility Expansion

• Best Community Service Project - Duma Meats, Kansas Wildfire Relief Effort

• Best Arts and Culture Event - Ravenna Art On Main

• Best Health Initiative - NEOMED Free Clinic

• Most Engaging High School - Kent Roosevelt High School, Summer English-As-Second-Language Program

• Community Hero - Scott Snyder, Hero's Rock

2016 Winners

• Best Economic Development Project - Pyrotek (Metaullics Division), Aurora Manufacturing Facility

• Best Community Service Project - Kent Brunch Bunch Charity Auction

• Best Arts and Culture Event - Ohio Chautauqua, Brimfield Historical Society

• Best Health Initiative - Project DAWN, Portage County Health District / Mental Health & Recovery Board

• Most Engaging High School - Field High School Little Free Library

• Community Hero - Paul Ferder, Kent Mold & Manufacturing

2015 Winners

• Best Economic Development Project - NEOMED Education and Wellness Center

• Best Community Service Project - Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC)

• Best Arts and Culture Event - Kent Heritage Festival

• Best Health Initiative - Portage County Safety Council

• Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Service Learning Project

• Community Hero - Patti Harjung, Brimfield Police Department

2014 Winners

• Best Economic Development Project - Catacel Corporation

• Best Community Service Project - Root House

• Best Arts and Culture Event - Mantua Art on the Hill

• Best Health Initiative - Ravenna City Schools Personal Improvement Program

• Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Independent Learning Experience

• Community Hero - Kathleen Schuman, City of Streetsboro