Women of Achievement Awards presented

ZANESVILLE – Women of Achievement Awards were recently presented in seven categories by Ohio University Zanesville, Zane State College and the Muskingum Family Y. 

The usual dinner has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Videos will be posted on social media outlets to honor winners. 

Ruth Ann Allen is the recipient of the Muskingum Family Y Lifetime Service Award. She has distinguished herself by inspiring countless students and adults to pursue musical interests. She served as a teacher in the Franklin and Zanesville City school districts, a private voice instructor and a church musician, director and soloist. Allen served on the Ohio Music Teachers Association and Zanesville Concert Association boards and is a past president of the Thursday Music Club. She is a 55-year soloist for Zanesville’s Messiah presentation and a 40-year actor and music director for the Renner Theater. 

Monica Batteiger is the Josephine Phillips Health Care Award recipient. She is recognized as a tireless crusader in the battle against addiction. Her compassion frequently extends beyond addicts to family and friends desperate for healing. As co-founder of Drug Free Muskingum, Batteiger has organized a variety of educational events, including Steps of Faith prayer walk, Celebration of Life, Unlock the Stigma, Recovering Our Community and Compassion Roll Call. She is the founder of Genesis Healthcare’s warm handoff program, which ensures that hospitalized patients continue treatment support at home.

Tami Fitzgerald is the recipient of the Winifred K. Vogt Education Award. She has impacted education at the local, state and national levels. She taught science at West Muskingum High School for 34 years and also server as leader of the Professional Development Team and Resident Educator Program, coach for the Test of Engineering Aptitude, Math and Science and advisor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Ski Club. Fitzgerald taught master’s level courses as an adjunct professor at Muskingum University. She served as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education, where she implemented a leadership program, created a STEM Mentoring Café at the Smithsonian and consulted for the STEM Master Teacher Corp pilot program. She is currently the Director of Outreach and Engagement at the National Board for Professional Teaching. 

Lacey Geyer is the recipient of the Ethel Granger Schultz Young Adult Award. She experienced a defining moment in her personal and professional life when her father Bob Higgins lost his battle with cancer. During her grief, Lacey made the decision to leave her job at Cerner Corporation and become the third-generation owner of Higgins Lumber in Roseville. Geyer immersed herself in learning about every aspect of the building material industry, Higgins Lumber brand, employees, customers and suppliers. As she sought to honor and continue her family’s legacy, she faced an uphill battle in an atmosphere of uncertainty and a male-dominated industry. Under her leadership, Higgins Lumber achieved its most profitable year in its 60-year history. In 2020, Lacey was a finalist in five categories and voted Best New CEO at the BizX Conference sponsored by ActionCOACH. Higgins Lumber continues to make its mark on the village of Roseville by supporting projects, fundraising and school events. 

Jamie Trout is the recipient of the Mary Townsend Professions Award. Well recognized as a relationship builder, she has forged partnerships between Eastside Community Ministries and other local agencies to connect clients in search of food, clothing or emergency assistance. Under Trout’s leadership as executive director, Eastside Community Ministries distributes more than 60,000 pounds of food and 100,000 clothing items each year. As Operation Feed co-chair and a Muskingum County Hunger Network board member, she helps coordinate local food pantries, monthly produce markets and the SOUPer Bowl event. Thousands of young people benefit from programs like Tools for Schools, Lace Up for Kids and Eastside Community Ministries’ youth program. 

Sarah Wickerham is the recipient of the Mary Vashti Jones Funk Business Award. She was one of State Farm’s youngest agents when she opened her own business in 2010. Since then, she has doubled the size of her agency and earned prestigious recognition from State Farm Insurance including Chairman’s Circle, Legion of Honor and Ambassador Club status. Through corporate funding, Wickerham provided multiple computers to Tri-Valley Schools and hosted an Impact Teen Drivers seminar at the high school. She serves on the Salvation Army Advisory and Genesis Spirit of Women boards. She helps local youth develop leadership skills through iBelieve Foundation’s iConnect program at Muskingum University. She also invests time and resources with Eastside Community Ministry, Muskingum County Humane Society, Zanesville Civic League, Zanesville Esquires Club, Forever Dads, TJ 5K, Recovery Nation and local sports, theater and arts programs. 

Tara Wilson is the recipient of the Aldine Roach Flegal Special Recognition Award. She serves as the office manager for Linn Engineering, a position she has held for 33 years. While Tim and Cindy Linn appreciate Tara’s efficiency, compassion and dedication in her professional role, they admire her service to the community above all. As part of a United Methodist Women’s (UMW) district mission team, Tara became a national task force advocate against human trafficking. She is a member of the Mid-East Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, educating others while lobbying for stronger laws and victim rights. Her association with UMW also led her to serve on the board of Lifewell Youth Ministry for 15 years. Tara was a charter member of Angelkeepers Ohio Child Conservation League and fulfilled several leadership roles at the local, district and state level. She is vice president of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and treasurer of the Muskingum Valley Garden Society.