Local women win state awards

SANDUSKY — Two local women belonging to area Kiwanis Clubs recently received statewide recognition for going above and beyond in their communities: • Tish Keegan, who represents the Sandusky club, won the President of the Year Award. She topped all other candidates across 220 clubs in Ohio. Keegan, of Wakeman, serves as the club's president and also as its membership chair. She is married to her husband, Troy, and they have three children and two grandchildren. She's worked for Lamar Advertising in Cleveland for 20 years and serves with the region's American Red Cross on its board of directors. • Beth Rice, who represents Fremont's club, received the Lieutenant Governor of the Year Award. She topped all other candidates across 24 divisions in Ohio. Rice owns two businesses: Nails by Beth @ Hair Artistry and BDR Travels in Fremont. Married to her husband, Dan, who also serves with the club, they have one child, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Bio blast Kiwanis represents a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world "one child and one community at a time," an organizational statement read. The organization's mission: "Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide so that, one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive," according to the organizational statement. Many Kiwanis Clubs partner on reading initiatives. For instance, Sandusky's club offers Dolly Party's Imagination Library of Ohio, which mails children one age-appropriate book each month until the child's 5th birthday. Nationwide, as of 2023, more than 2 million kids — including those in Sandusky and Erie County — are registered for the program, gifting nearly 190 million books across the country. Speaking up Jason Miller, who serves as governor for the Ohio Kiwanis District, called these distinctions "tremendous honors." He read comments aloud about each during a ceremony occurring earlier this month in Toledo honoring both women: • On Keegan: She "has not only led their clubs to new heights but continues to mentor their members, make service a priority but also have fun. This first-ever recipient is someone that exceeds all of these expectations and still keeps coming back for more. I am so impressed with (her) leadership and (her) willingness to make (her) club a priority. When I have interacted with this president, I am continually in awe of her sincere demeanor and her passion for all things Kiwanis. I am so excited to present the 2023-24 club President of the Year Award to the club president from the Sandusky Kiwanis Club: Tish Keegan." • On Rice: "This lieutenant governor has proven to be a dedicated leader, going above and beyond wherever asked to help serve our district and (her) division. Whether assisting a club, attending events or making division membership a priority, I have been continually impressed by her commitment. She heard the call that membership was a priority and rushed to appointing a divisional membership chair. This effort has proven beneficial as her division is showing some of the best net growth in membership out of any division in Ohio. She remains humble often apologizing for asking too many questions or inviting me to attend too many things. This humility serves her well as she is well respected and will continue to do great things for Ohio Kiwanis. Please help me congratulate Division 12 lieutenant governor Beth Rice."