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The Johnson County Library Foundation has named five outstanding individuals as recipients of the 2014 Pinnacle Awards: Tyrone Aiken, John Douglass, Fred Merrill Jr., Dr. Joe Gilhaus, and Mason Wilde.
The annual awards in Literacy and Education, Business and Entrepreneurship, Arts and Advocacy and Public Engagement illustrate community service priorities for the Library and the Foundation. This year’s event also includes a Special Achievement category. Pinnacle Awards honorees are selected because they demonstrate excellence in their professions or philanthropic pursuits:
Excellence in the Arts TYRONE AIKEN is the Executive Director of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the official second home of the NYC-based Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Aiken has fostered artistic development in the Kansas City metro area as an executive, choreographer, performer and visionary since 1991. He has choreographed for the Lyric Opera, Coterie Theater, Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Ballet among many others. Aiken has taught dance classes, seminars and workshops at universities and conservatories worldwide, and in schools and community centers across the KC Metro-area.
Excellence in Advocacy & Public Engagement JOHN DOUGLASS, recently retired Chief of Police for Overland Park, built his systematic understanding of the entire Overland Park police department by holding a post in every office at some point in his career. As Chief of Police, Douglass implemented progressive policing strategies that guided officers to build trust with the public in their everyday duty. Recipient of the Clarence M. Kelly Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Administration, Chief Douglass’ many contributions to the public safety and well-being of all citizens have been recognized by organizations across the region and the United States.
Excellence in Business & Entrepreneurship FRED MERRILL, JR., has created a regional destination of national significance in Johnson County. There are few business stories that have received more attention in the last five years than the creation and launch of Prairiefire, a mixed-use development with dining, shopping, education and entertainment opportunities that cannot be found anywhere else in Kansas City. Merrill’s vision and passion for Prairiefire and the Merrill Companies are reflected in the breadth of his civic engagement. He chairs the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce - Economic Development Council, and he has been closely involved in the success of important organizations including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Harvesters.
Excellence in Literacy & Education DR. JOE GILHAUS has served as principal of Shawnee Mission South High School since 2001. During his tenure South has been recognized as one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools by the Washington Post, received the Intel Schools of Distinction Award, and is repeatedly included on “Best Of” lists published by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. Gilhaus has worked diligently to connect the school’s Foundation to meeting real student needs through scholarship programs. Dr. Gilhaus’ signature program is Fathers Connection, a volunteer group of dads who work on school beautification projects, community service and fundraising.
Special Achievement Award Louisburg (KS) High School Senior MASON WILDE is honored with a Pinnacle Special Achievement Award. Wilde is an aspiring engineer who astounded a nation with his mechanical ingenuity and keen problem-solving aptitude. Working with Johnson County Library MakerSpace software and their 3D printer, Wilde designed and printed an attachable, articulated prosthetic for a young boy who had been born without fingers on his right hand. 9 year-old Matthew Shields is now able to pick up a pen, play two-handed catch and high-five his brother for the first time. The story of Wilde and Shields appeared in print and broadcast media across the country, including People Magazine and CNN. Wilde has since started the non-profit Dextella (Latin for “right hand”) to continue helping people across the world through such emerging technology.
The Johnson County Library Foundation will present the Awards at the 2014 Pinnacle Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 16. A reception at 6:00 p.m. is followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. in the Regnier Center at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210
Individual tickets may be purchased for $75 each. Sponsorship opportunities are available at $750, $1,500, $3,000 and $5,000 levels. For details about sponsor premiums or to purchase tickets, call Susan Mong (913) 826-4720, or visit http://www.jocolibraryfoundation.org/pinnacle-sponsorship-levels.
About the Johnson County Library Foundation
Established in 1996, the Johnson County Library Foundation mission is to build an endowment for the Library's collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. Funds have been provided for 6by6 Ready to Read Early Literacy, Homework Help, Tutor.com, MakerSpace programming, civic engagement programming, Changing Lives through Literature, Court Assisted Reading Encouragement (CARE) and the purchase of library materials.
