The award recipients from Syracuse Wawasee Chamber banquet gathered afterwards for a photo. Pictured (L to R) are, front row: Cheryl Van Leaken, Educator of the Year; Holly Tuttle and Brandi Niles of Women of Today, Organization of the Year; Trevor Ritter, Volunteer of the Year; Leticia Howell of Wee Warrior Academy, New Business of the Year; Patty Richards of Pro Wake Surf Shop, Large Business of the Year; Tom Tuttle, Team Tuttle Mortgage, presenter; back row: Erick Leffler, Dynamic Spine Rehabilitation, presenter; Rich Haddad, K21 Health Foundation, presenter; Dr. Richard Brungardt, Lakeland Animal Clinic, presenter; Marlies West, Ambassador of the Year; Mark Richards, of Pro Wakes Surf Shop, Large Business of the Year; and Amy Rensberger, Key Bank, presenter. Not present for the photo was Brittany Bushong, of Rich Beauty Salon, Small Business of the Year. Photo by Denise Fedorow
The award recipients from Syracuse Wawasee Chamber banquet gathered afterwards for a photo. Pictured (L to R) are, front row: Cheryl Van Leaken, Educator of the Year; Holly Tuttle and Brandi Niles of Women of Today, Organization of the Year; Trevor Ritter, Volunteer of the Year; Leticia Howell of Wee Warrior Academy, New Business of the Year; Patty Richards of Pro Wake Surf Shop, Large Business of the Year; Tom Tuttle, Team Tuttle Mortgage, presenter; back row: Erick Leffler, Dynamic Spine Rehabilitation, presenter; Rich Haddad, K21 Health Foundation, presenter; Dr. Richard Brungardt, Lakeland Animal Clinic, presenter; Marlies West, Ambassador of the Year; Mark Richards, of Pro Wakes Surf Shop, Large Business of the Year; and Amy Rensberger, Key Bank, presenter. Not present for the photo was Brittany Bushong, of Rich Beauty Salon, Small Business of the Year. Photo by Denise Fedorow
SYRACUSE - The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber held its annual meeting and gave out several awards on March 23.

The event was held at the Pro Wakes Surf Shop for the second year and Kelly Jae’s Lakeside catered the event.

Chamber Executive Director Staci York, who assumed that position seven months ago, welcomed everyone after dinner and a social hour and informed them of upcoming chamber events before introducing award winners.

The Small Business Award was presented by Amy Rensberger, of KeyBank, who said Syracuse is blessed to have a number of small businesses but said this year’s recipient, “understands community matters and is constantly seeking ways to collaborate and help uplift others.”

Rensberger said she invites food trucks in her parking lot, raises donations for the food pantry as well as volunteering and teaching young people at Fairfield’s Cosmetology program. The Small Business of the Year is Rich Beauty Parlor.

Brittany Bushong, owner of the shop, accepted the award, along with several stylists, and said she opened her shop during COVID shutdown, deciding to invest in Syracuse and she appreciated the support and was honored to receive the award.

Tom Tuttle, of Team Tuttle Mortgage, presented the Large Business of the Year Award and said this year’s recipient has been “helping families create memories on the lake since 2012 … but their commitment to enhance the community extends far beyond the water.”

Tuttle said this business supports fundraisers and last year participated in the Huddle Up for Hochstetler’s fundraiser and helped raise $200,000 for a local family battling cancer.

“That’s just one example of this businesses commitment to make Syracuse a better place,” Tuttle said as he announced Pro Wakes Water Sports as the Large Business of the Year.

York presented the New Business of the Year Award, something she said the chamber gets most excited about. The New Business of the Year is taking care of one of Syracuse’s pressing needs as they opened their doors last year to provide safe and reliable child care at Wee Warriors Academy.

York told owner Leticia Howell, “I’ve heard so many phenomenal things from the families of the kids you take care of.”

The Organization of the Year Award was presented by Rich Haddad, CEO and president of the K21 Health Foundation, who said, “This year’s Organization of the Year has been serving Syracuse since 1982. From its humble start of 25 members, they’ve grown to a driving force caring for children and needs in the community, listening to the needs of the schools.”

He said last year, working with Wawasee High School, they turned the Warrior closet into a free fashionable boutique called “The Hanger.” They also pay fees for camp and support local reading programs.

The Organization of the Year is Women of Today. Holly Tuttle and Brandi Niles accepted the award. Niles thanked everyone’s support as they give back to the youth in the community.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented by “Doc” (Dr. Richard) Brungardt, of Lakeland Animal Clinic, who said this year’s Volunteer of the Year gives time and energy making the community a better place. He’s the leader of Cub Scouts Pack 2838 and inspires youth and makes a positive impact by organizing food drives, adopts a family at Christmas, raises funds for Riley’s Children’s Hospital while working full time and is a single dad willing to help anyone in need to rise above their circumstances.

Volunteer of the Year Trevor Ritter said he was “pretty honored to receive the award.”

York said a new award this year is Educator of the Year and said, “Few deserve more praise than educators — whether that be teachers, coaches or youth volunteers.”

Erick Leffler, of Dynamic Spine & Rehabilitation, presented the award to teacher Cheryl Van Leaken, who he said has “been inspiring children for 18 years,” advising student council, helping with the latch key program, Key Club and is a coach. In 2022 he said a hotline she and students created went viral. “When Life Gives You Lemons, Call a 5th Grader” had 28,000 callers getting positive messages, jokes and more.

Van Leaken said, “Thank you. I work with a lot of educators who deserve this award. If you have an opportunity to pour into youth, please do so!”

The last award given was the Ambassador of the Year for chamber ambassadors. A representative from the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana presented the award, who said this individual goes above and beyond; she’s been at every ribbon-cutting even when undergoing a health crisis. She’s a real champion for the chamber.”

Marlies West received a standing ovation and she choked up as she thanked everyone and said she couldn’t have gotten through things without all of them.

Chamber President Jeff Dyson had an announcement but before doing so shared his feelings about the community saying he’s lived other places but, “This is truly the best place to live in America — here in Syracuse.”

He announced that the chamber is helping businesses advertise through a new one-stop website, MyWawasee.com. The site will host all members and they’ll be able to post job openings and promotions as well as local events and announcements. Visitors and others will be able to go to one source to find out everything going on in the community. He told business owners if people click on their business and fill out the contact form, it goes straight to their business email. Dyson said a mobile app is coming soon.

York concluded the event by thanking everyone for coming.