Below are the nominations for the 2008 Ryan Awards. Each post represents a category wherein the nominees are announced. If you would like to voice your opinions on who should receive these awards, feel free to do so in the Comment section provided within each post. All ballots will be considered though, ultimately, I will make the decisions. It is the only perk to having my name on this thing.
The Ryan Awards were created in response to the cries of the people, to address the void of adequate honoring of the people who are often times under-paid and over-worked in a field with immense stress and social good-doing.
More prestigious than the Pulitzer Prize, as well as far easier to obtain, the Ryan Award is awarded some-what annually to a wide range of people for a wide range of accomplishments. Most of the winners have been in the Kerr family with of course a mentioning to the Four Families of Langston, Martin, Mouser and Baron. Other winners of the Ryan Award have been the New York Giants, for their stunning defeat of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII as well as my own parents for their 25th Wedding Anniversary and my beloved Colorado Rockies for winning the National League Championship Series through sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks. Quite the accomplishment.
Contrary to the Pulitzer, the Ryan Awards is far more fair in the fact that it is consistent. All people are eligible for Ryan Award nomination except management folk and the Boston-area sports teams; both banned for life for differing reasons.
All of the nominations come from real events and all of the nominees are real people, with real thoughts, real feelings, and I'm not sure where I was going with that, but the point is that it is legitimate and it is official.
While there is no monetary award, the winners get three things far more valuable: respect, pride from being a champion and a nifty certificate. Again, value is subject to your definition but in the dictionary of the Ryan Awards that's exactly what it means.
That said, feel free to cast your proverbial ballots for your self or fellow nominees and the official 2008 Ryan Awards will be awarded in December 2008 at a site yet to be determined and an alcohol content yet to be seen. Start preparing your acceptance speeches!
-Ryan.
2008 Ryan Awards: Musical Performance of the Year
Musical Performance of the Year
In a world where the rumbling of traffic, the gentle hum of computers and the threats from Stormin' to freak out if some thing isn't working are ever-present, there are the few who rise up to challenge these forces... with melody. This award goes to some of our more musically-inclined folk who, through various performances, manage to switch things up from the ol' mundane day-to-day grind that is experienced. The nominees for Musical Performance of the Year are:Ian "The Great One" Mouser
"Calley Into Fertilizer"
In this rarely heard ballad, The Great One sang a touching piece about turning Calley into fertilizer for his rose garden. It sounded beautiful, really. Sort of like the Dave Matthews Band where you forget the some-what raunchy stuff that is being said because the music moves you that much.
Ian "The Great One" Mouser & Boone Langston
"The Duet"
It was cold February morning when The Great One and resident vocalist, Boone Langston, got together on an ad hoc performance to cheer up the depressed crowds following the OIT delayed presentation that had unhappy people on campus far earlier than normal.
Ian "The Great One" Mouser & J.D. (client)
"Free style on the Chapel Path"
As summer was beginning to fade, The Great One was rocking out with one of his clients, JD, on the bongo.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Burn of the Year
Burn of the Year
Words and actions. They can be simple, complex, sweet or violent, welcomed or intrusive. But when they are hilarious, that is when they become a burn and get nominated for a Ryan Award. The 2008 Burn of the Year nominees are:Bobby Martin, BRS Case Manager
"(Looking like Lt. Dan) is better than being Forrest Gump" -- spoken to a hater who was hating on his homeless army-man look who called him Lt. Dan.
Greg Baron, Skills Trainer
"Who would ever claim that ugly dog?!?! (impersonating) Oh yeah, that's my ugly ass dog"
Bobby Martin, BRS Case Manager
"If I wasn't able to ignore you people, I wouldn't be working here."
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Morale Supporter of the Year
Morale Support of the Year
We all have those events in life where we do not really want to go by ourselves and so we drag someone along - be it as company in case the people there suck or as a reason to leave ("yeah, sorry, I have to take her/him home now"). It happens. This award goes to honor those who attend mostly Kerr events out of support of another. The nominees for Morale Supporter of the Year are:"Hot" Amaya Bengoechea, Stormin's friend
Amaya made her morale support debut at the first Ryan Awards ceremony... hosted in conjunction with Breanna's going-away party at the Applebees by Gateway. Reportedly, she was just in town for the weekend to hang out with Stormin', who attended at the prospect (and eventual success) of winning a Ryan Award. Amaya agreed to go to the first ever Ryan Awards, in a very crowded Applebee's restaurant, on a Friday night, when she could have been having a far better time at many other places speaks volumes to her devotion as a morale supporter.
"Chill" Chris, Heather's ex-boyfriend
Making his morale support debut at Sarah's Christmas party, Chris then attended Theresa (T-Cab) and Cadie's comedy show (or lack there of) fundraiser... and maybe another. While the Christmas party was a ton of fun, he was often ditched by Heather and seen watching the band play by himself or other things that really looked like it was boring. And the comedy show... well, it is still probably one of the worst experiences of my life and I'm still pissed that I didn't get the Shari's gift certificate prize.... really?!?! There were only 3 tickets in the fish bowl, 2 of them were mine, and I still didn't win?!?! I think Cadie rigged it. There, I said it. Wait, what was I talking about? Oh yeah, so Chris went through a lot of pretty dull Kerr things in support of Heather.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Expression of the Year
Expression of the Year
While there are literally infinite reasons to make an expression, there are roughly 52 muscles in the human face that allows those expressions to be seen. This award is in honor of those 52 muscles and the people who utilized them the best. The nominees for Expression of the Year are:
Calley Ekberg, former Proctor Case Manager
Upon seeing Greg display his hip gyration dance move. Indescribable but Calley's brow shrunk and her nose shriveled, sending her glasses flee up her nose until they were trapped between the two shifting forces (brow and nose... duh).
Sarah Munk, ICTS Skills Trainer
On the morning of the delayed February OIT presentation, I asked Sarah how she was doing because it was very early by Skills Trainer standards (8:30am). In what usually had been soft eyes and a nice smile looking at me from beyond glasses, was now just a window to anger, frustration with just a dash of fatigue. Never before, in my life, has an expression spoke so much clearer than words ever could.
Heather Brey, former Foster Care Asst. Manager
When Breanna had brought by her little baby, Kaia (youngest Ryan Award winner of all time) to visit the Temple folk, Breanna asked Heather to watch her while Breanna met with Sarah and others. Never before had I seen a baby so disinterested in their babysitter and a babysitter so upset by it. I jammed some hard guitar riffs though and Kaia livened up; she'll be a rocker some day. Oh yeah, so Heather had a pretty memorable facial expression of lost hope and worry that she broke Breanna's baby, when really, Kaia just wanted to rock out and Heather was preventing her from doing so... funny, Heather holding someone back from having fun...
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Pixie Award
Pixie Award
There are some days where our minds just fail to work - usually, it is a Monday. Within these days, there are also moments where our minds fail to the point of amusement and Ryan Award nomination. Named in homage to the great band that brought to us the great (and applicable) song: Where Is My Mind? The nominees for the 2008 Pixie Award are (and it's no longer a lay-up for Stormin'):
Carrie Pipkin, former Access Coordinator
It was a Monday and Carrie was standing puzzled in front of the mailboxes. When asked what was wrong, she said she couldn't find someone's box. I told her that they were some what alphabetical and that didn't help either. I asked her what the name was and she replied: "Owen Wilson." I replied that he didn't have a mailbox here because Owen Wilson is a famed Hollywood actor... Owen Gibson is the Day Treatment manager to which she sought. It was a lot funnier in person.
Autumn Bowlby (Worman), Asst. Program Mgr (Case Manager)
Stormin'-former-Worman earned her nomination through an interaction we had when discussing Self-Addressed Stamp Envelopes (SASE) for returning surveys from clients and their families. When I explained the process, culminating with the accordion-like folding of the SASE so that it would fit inside of the initial envelope, Stormin paused and asked if it would just be able to slide right in, because they were the same size. We then discussed the laws of matter, spacial realism and how two items of equal size cannot occupy the same equal space -- it cannot be done. Or at least not in this universe or slice of universe that scientists claim to know, even though, we have probably only seen less than a fraction of a percent of the universe that we know about and ergo, really, know nothing about.
Greg Baron, Skills Trainer
It is not uncommon for a Skills Trainer (on the course of the job) to challenge rivals in the children and within their selves; but they usually win those challenges. That was not the case with Grigori who managed to get into a fight with shrubbery... and lose. In an attempt to show one of the kids that community service was good and that shrubbery could be a nuisance to society, ol' Grigori decided to fight said shrubbery. Not taking kindly to the unjustified and unnecessary attack, the shrubbery fought back and managed to cause potentially serious damage to Grig's eye, forcing him to miss work and lose what little bit of established masculinity that he had stored up in the office. Moral of the story: If it's green, watch the head- it will go for the kill.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Quote of the Year
Quote of the Year
For every awards organization, there is one award that always stands out as supreme: be it the Oscar for Best Actor, Country Album of the Year, or so forth. The Ryan Awards are no different and in this award organization, the Quote of the Year is definitely one of the greats. Owned particularly by Boone Langston, historically his often misinterpretted phrases get him nominations... and victories. The nominees for Quote of the Year are:
Boone Langston, MIS Technical Support
"Skills trainers should not have vehicle priority. If I am unable to do my job (when using the vehicles) then others cannot do theirs. If a skills trainer is unable to do their job, some kid doesn't get to go to the mall that day."
Greg Baron, Skills Trainer
"Please, Donna, it's not the first time (the flea-dog Calley found) has been called 'shit face'"
Bobby Martin, BRS Case Manager
"If I wasn't able to ignore you people, I wouldn't be working here."
Calley Ekberg, former Proctor Case Manager
"(Posting salaries in job ads) is a good way to weed out the people who'll do a good job."
Boone Langston, MIS Technical Support
"Anyone who wears a trench coat to work without wearing a full suit... they need to re-examine their wardrobe."
Boone Langston, MIS Technical Support
"(At the Goodwill Outlet) their signs said: Warning! Sharp objects may be mixed in with our goods. I was worried I would get AIDS from a used needle. You just have to look out for stuff like that, ya know?"
Deon Logan, ICTS Skills Trainer
"Man, I looked at this kid and gave him that look. You know, the one that only black people can give, and I scared him with my blackness." (paraphrase)
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Weakest Immune System
Weakest Immune System
In nature, if a being is unable to defend itself - be it to threats external or internal - that being is quickly picked off so that the stronger, better-abled beings are able to prosper. However, we do not live in a natural world, so when a person is unable to defend them self from illness, they get nominated for a Ryan Award. The 2008 Weakest Immune System nominees are:Calley Ekberg, former Proctor Case Manager
While the numbers are not available, Calley was sick a lot. In attempts to compute the figures ending up shorting out my calculator and, sadly, NASA hung up on me when I contacted them to use their super computers. Not only was Calley sick often but she also was absent when sick quite often; even on her 5th-to-last day at Kerr.
Bobby Martin, BRS Case Manager
Be it his age, the image that he must maintain to fit amongst the beardsmen and the "normies" alike or Bobby just likes the lifestyle, Bean Town has done a number on his T-cells... as well as his liver. Constantly complaining about not feeling well, Bobby has earned his nomination.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Dominant Presence Award
Dominant Presence Award
There are over 6 billion people in this world and probably 5.95 billion you have never heard of. This award is for the 0.05 billion people that have made their presence known. The nominees for the 2008 Dominant Presence Award are:
Annie Maloney, former Skills Trainer
Some described Annie as initially abrasive but it could have just been the Gonzaga on her. Regardless, you were able to sense when Annie was present.
Heather Brey, former Foster Care Asst. Manager
From the soft echoing of sobs to the closed-door rantings that, despite the door being closed, were still quite clearly ranting, albeit a bit muffled, Heather had quite the presence in the Temple moreso than anywhere else.
Sarah Carter, Foster Care Certifier Be it the bright blond hair that turns a sort of auburn color in the fall seasons, or her two horse-dogs (Great Danes: Lola & Sampson), or her mothering of our own 24-year old adolescent (Greg Baron), Sarah is one of the few people that has legitimate sway around the office. The longest tenured, full-time Kerr folk in Foster Care, Sarah has seen an entire regime change and has stuck around long enough to tell the tales. From her clutch performances at the now retired tradition of Tuesday Morning Snacks to her seamless ability to work with case managers, the State, foster parents and skills trainers alike, Sarah's presence is truly one of dominance. She is one of the biggest fish in this relatively small pond.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Missed Presence Award
Missed Presence Award
People come and go in our lives quite regularly; making an imprint when they do, like a foot step in the sand. Once that person leaves though -- for greed, advancement, boredom -- the void that they leave some times is missed more than when others leave.Breanna Newbill, former Behavioral Specialist
Since her absence around the beginning of 2008, the Foster Care population has definitely felt her absence in the comedy department. Believe it or not, there was once a time where Foster Care was pretty boring except for Breanna, Sarah and Ian. True story.
Calley Ekberg, former Proctor Case Manager
After greed got the best of her, Calley jumped ship and swam to DHS like it was a better paycheck... oh wait, it was. With her swam roughly 40% of the material we had to make fun of at the office.
Annie Maloney, former Skills Trainer
I do not recall Annie leaving. One day she was there, another day she wasn't and about a week later I was told that she had left a week prior. With the exception of her time at Gonzaga, Annie was pretty chill and had a good spot in Foster Care, though I only spoke with her on a handful of situations, if I recall.
Heather Brey, former Foster Care Asst. Manager
Brey Day. No one moreso than Heather Brey had tried so hard to win in our various antics and fall just short. Her spirit has definitely been missed, since she tried to secure the bronze medal in the Office Olympics by tackling Calley on the home-stretch... not doing enough, though, as Calley was still able to beat her to the finish and take the bronze. It was that fighting spirit that we miss the most.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Most Professional Award
Most Professional Award
It takes a certain level of class and dignity to be declared the most professional of any group. Be it in the demeanor upon which the person operates or the way they carry themselves or the way they present themselves through appearance, there are many routes to consider when awarding one person more professional than anyone else. The nominees for the 2008 Most Professional Award are:
Donna Ramsey, Proctor Case Manager
You cannot spell "Proctor" without "pro" and you cannot have Proctor Care without Donna Ramsey. D-Ram, as she is called by folks much younger (much, much younger) than her, is a consistent definition of "professional." From her soft-spoken demeanor on the phone to her answering said phone even when she knows it is someone she doesn't want to talk to, whining as she picks up the receiver... then-- boom -- "This is Donna", all professional-like.
Susan Sheets, Foster Parent Recruiter/Trainer (WA County)
Some may say that professionalism is in the way one dresses, or speaks, the manner in which they present themselves, and Susan Sheets is all three of those, plus professional in her decorations. When it came to painting the office, the sterile off-white scheme that the Facilities folk were rolling with was not what Susan deemed fitting for a professional modern office. So, on the weekend (mind you), Susan came into the office to paint. Painted the book shelf, the trim of the wall; the ugly metal file cabinet was turned to a more digestible black and even painted the exterior of her desk drawers to compliment the other painted work. Susan also applied some finish to the door frame giving it a youthful shine it had not seen in years... and also making the door frame quite sticky. Professionalism, you see, is some thing that rubs off on those around you, much like that wood finish on the door frame.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Trooper of the Year
Trooper of the Year
- There comes a time when things get bad or tough and you're forced to step up. Greg Baron has never encountered such a time or place because Sarah enables and takes care of him. But for those who have gone through the muck and found the strength to come out the other side of it all, this award is for them. The nominees for the 2008 Trooper of the Year award are:
Bobby Martin, Foster Care BRS
Our resident Old Man River is not just a handle applied to Bobby "Brown" Martin, but also descriptive: he is the oldest guy and looks like he could live by a river, under a bridge. Furthermore, exposure to the elements (or heavy drinking) could be the cause of his illnesses and injuries. But, despite his consistent illness and elder injuries, Bobby comes to the office with great regularity and plays in the activities of Support Group.
Donna Ramsey, Foster Care Proctor
When one of her families had a scheduling conflict and needed someone to watch the kids in the morning while the parents went to work, naturally, I volunteered the skills trainers but Donna said "no" and instead went, herself, at an ungodly hour like 7am to help out.
Erica Fayrie, Art Therapist
The last year has been a rough year for Erica on all sorts of fronts but still staying her happy, tiny self. - Bryna Hardy, ICTS Skills Trainer
- When fellow ICTS skills trainer (Theresa "T-Cab" Caballero) bailed on the Saturday child care event, we were screwed. Until Bryna Hardy came out of the ICTS bullpen and agreed to sacrifice her Saturday for a program she does not work for and for kids she did not know. In addition, due to a shortage of skills trainers (only 1), Bryna was given one of our tougher kids to watch and work with. Despite arriving to campus at 8am on a Saturday, working with a tough kid and working until 6pm... she was nothing but smiles and positive energy.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Newcomer of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
New faces: in no where moreso than Kerr are they quite common. There are no figures to support the claim but Kerr is quite the rotating door of new staff and the 2008 Ryan Awards aim to honor this constant fresh presence. The nominees for Newcomer of the Year are:Suzanne Sherman, Skills Trainer
Reportedly, the youngest player on this team and the 2nd export from Idaho (Stormin' is an Idaho native)
Cordelia Apple, Skills Trainer
Most recent addition to the club who also has ties to my native New Mexico. However, she some how thinks that Santa Fe is better than Albuquerque. For those of you to which this is out of your element: if New Mexico was Oregon, Albuquerque would be Portland and Santa Fe would be Salem.... I rest my case.
Brittany Sills, HR Coordinator
Unfortunately, Brittany works in HR in near isolation and so not many people on campus have gotten to see how cool the HR folks are; with Brittany one of the fixtures.
Matt Warner, HR Recruitment
Upon Matt's arrival at Kerr, annoying calls about jobs now has a place to go. But you may be asking: "Ryan, doesn't the application say 'no phone calls please'?" And I answer: YES! It is annoying too and so thank God for Matt Warner.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Skills Trainer of the Year (M)
Skills Trainer of the Year (Male)
Be it going to the mall, going to the movies, to Bulwinkle's or forever screwing up your vision battling a bush, a fixture of the Foster Care department has always been its Skills Trainers. This award goes to honor the men that have defied all limitations and often times logic all in the course of "doing their job." From waking up at 10am to going to a movie and calling it "work", the Skills Trainers are exceptional and without them, the world would be a duller place. The nominees for the Skills Trainer of the Year award are:
Greg Baron, BRS (I think?)
From being one of the most consistent Skills Trainers in the Temple to being near non-existent... just like any evidence of puberty.
Ian "The Great One" Mouser, BRS (I think?)
Really, why are we even bothering with this? It says it right in the name: "The Great One." Sure, Greg has some funny remarks - usually about ugly animals - but The Great One is how Greg wants to be... when he grows up, of course.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Skills Trainer of the Year (F)
Skills Trainer of the Year (Female)
Avoiding the temptation of sneaking Greg's name into the list of candidates, the Skills Trainer of the Year award is granted to the great female skills trainers that we have here at Kerr. While on a campus that is roughly 82% women, it is surely the skills trainers that really are the ones that should be spoken about. Their commitment to the kids, the community and are more subject to the antics of the Temple than any other position on campus. Except for Foster Care case managers. The candidates for the 2008 Skills Trainer of the Year (Female) are:
Annie Maloney, former Skills Trainer
Annie made a name for herself amongst the skills trainers in regards to working with some of the more challenging kids, while others (Greg and the Great One) copped out with the "easy ones."
Sarah Munk, ICTS Skills Trainer
Without doubt, one of the nicest people at Kerr and arguably in the world. Working most of the time out in the community and in the family lending support to not just a child's treatment goals but to the family as well. If I understand ICTS correctly...
Cassandra Southerland, Skills Trainer
Picked up a lot of where Annie had left off in addition to some great work she was doing with the kids as well. While probably the least vocal of the group, Cassandra has always been a team player when it comes to Support Group and other things that immediately escape my mind.
Theresa "T-Cab" Caballero, ICTS Skills Trainer
T-Cab. In addition to a flashy name, she also has a 2007 Ryan Award and that speaks volumes of her right there. While she went on a hiatus this summer, one may think that would count against her and eliminate her from competition... Nay, I say to you. She was not on vacation or wondering around willy-nilly but rather, oh you know, just helping orphans in the Ecuadorian jungle. That's all. No big deal. Good luck competing with that local skills trainers!
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Main Sequence Star Award
Main Sequence Star Award
In a field where everyone has a heart of gold and dreams of platinum, this award is meant to distinguish the new people who come aboard and the promise and hope they hold for the future that gleamers in the eyes and smiles similar to a newborn star. The 2008 Bright New Star Award nominees are:
- Suzanne Sherman, Skills Trainer
- Reportedly the youngest member of the Foster Care team, Suzanne has only room to grow and excel, whereas other older members (Bobby, Donna) are on the decline. It's nature. It happens. Coming to Kerr from the likes of Eastern Oregon, Suzanne has a certain level of energy and passion that makes her a Skills Trainer to look out for once she gets completely free to take on case loads.
- Cordelia Apple, Skills Trainer
- The newest and coolest named Skills Trainer, Cordelia Apple, a name just about as impossible to mispronounce as it is to forget, comes to Kerr from a short stay in my native grounds of New Mexico. Despite fundamental differences in opinion on the state, Cordelia has injected the Skills Trainer core with a certain flare that prior has not been seen. It will be a good day for everyone when she is off busy-work duty and out in the community where the kids need her.
- Brittany Sill, HR Coordinator
Many may not know Brittany due to her near-seclusion in the HR Department but odds are Brittany knows you. Through her work with personnel files, employee reports and processing of paperwork, she probably knows you pretty well. Maybe more so than you know yourself... Coming from college, she has specialized in her field and has the hardware (albeit paper) to prove it. - Bryna Hardy, ICTS Skills Trainer
- While many are exposed to my antics - particularly through email - very few ever receive them well or play along... until Bryna Hardy joined us here at Kerr. Over the course of the last 10 months, I have received probably a hundred emails (at least) about the training system not doing some thing it should - in all logic - be able to do. And for every one of those emails I responded with a similar reference to Terminator 2: Judgement Day and the pending war with the machines if they got too smart... to do the things people wanted them to do. Of those hundred responses, only Bryna has ever received it positively and played along with the scenario. That has "Bright New Star" material written all over it.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Farewell Award
The Farewell Award
This award is bestowed upon a person who is able to make a sizable impact on the people around them in their time here. An impact, that unlike a crater, disolves quickly upon their absence leaving a void in the lives that they touched. The 2008 Farewell Award nominees are:
Calley Ekberg, former Proctor Case Manager
After 2 years at Kerr, Calley left her post as the anchor of Proctor Care to pursue the greater paycheck at DHS as a Certifier. Greed... the top killer of social services.
Elizabeth Bourke, former HR Representative
In a few months at Kerr, Elizabeth energized the HR department with clever emails and an irrational fear of speaker phone.
Heather Brey, former Foster Care Asst. Manager
After about a year as being the Asst. Manager of Foster Care, Heather moved on from Kerr to go back to school.
Annie Maloney, former Skills Trainer
After almost a year, Annie moved on from Skills Training to go work at another place that I have never heard of.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
2008 Ryan Awards: Most Valuable Personnel (MVP)
Most Valuable Personnel (MVP)
The MVP award is an award that is reserved for the personnel that is determined to be the most valuable to their position, to their team, to the department or the agency as a whole... as the title would suggest. The greater purpose of this award is not to select just one great personnel but rather showcase several great personnel as there are many who do exceptional jobs and excel at them. The nominees for the 2008 Most Valuable Personnel (MVP) Ryan Award are:Donna Ramsey, Proctor Case Manager
While always the sail of the Proctor ship, she became the lone crew in Calley's greedy departure with a case load of nearly 20 high-needs children and higher-needs parents. She responded not by crumbling or complaining but by helping a foster family by going to their house at 7am to watch the kids as the parents had to go to work; also by working on weekends for several weekends in August and September to stay afloat in paperwork; and ultimately skipping her sister's birthday party in order to prevent a staff shortage at Support Group. Granted, her wisdom and responsibility goes hand-in-hand with her far superior age, but let not that cheapen the value that Donna has in Foster Care; specifically Proctor.
Bobby Martin, BRS Case Manager
Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Erik the Red, Santa Claus: they all have the necessary traits of great leaders, generals, pioneers, icons... and beards. In any discussion about the most valuable personnel, such traits must be discussed, and in this discussion one man alone meets these criterion. His name? Bobby "Brown" Martin. Despite the "Brown" (which is purely for alliteration purposes), Bobby's beard has gotten him praise through Spirit Notes, lust from enviers and acceptance through radical revolutionary groups and the bridge-dwelling community alike. He is able to blend and rally all peoples from all walks of life with the majesty of his crumb-collector and those traits, in addition to his commanding role in the BRS program, make him a great contender for the 2008 Most Valuable Personnel (MVP) award.
Heather Brey, former Foster Care Asst. Manager
It takes a lot of patience and understanding to work at Kerr. It takes even more of both to have any role in running a program at Kerr. Heather took the reigns, by default, in Foster Care after her arrival and the subsequent departure of 90% of the staff, including the manager. With little to no direction and a handful of brand new staff, Heather was able to mold and settle the foundation of Foster Care; rebuilding the program after an unheard of collapse following the John era. Despite multiple emotional and vehicle break downs, the one thing that didn't break down was the persistence to make the program strong and self-sufficient yet again. Heather succeeded in the challenge and constructed a strong program... that may fall whim to the lack of infrastructure of the future. From an astounding amount of Ryan Award nominations to an Honorable Mention in the Office Olympics, Heather has yet to reach the top of the mountain despite the hard climbing but she still holds faith and courage in herself and her abilities and those elements are definitely MVP elements.
Boone Langston, MIS Technical Support
When any discussion is held about anyone of value in anything of value, the name Boone Langston must come up, like comments about the heat on a hot summer day. One of the longer-running Kerr folks, Boone has been in operation for over 2 years and is 1/2 of MIS Technical Support. On average, he serves as the go-to guy for over 400 employees when things go wrong technologically... which is fairly regularly. Without Boone, MIS would indeed stumble. Plus, he must be super busy with other important matters if it takes him over 3 months to put "Yor: the Hunter from the Future" onto DVD when he already has it on the camcorder, he just needs to put it onto a disc. That is all. 10-15 minutes is all it would take. A simple 10-15 minutes... over the span of over 90 days... 10-15 minutes is all it would take but Boone Langston shows his value not only to Kerr and to his home-life but also to furthering his education. It is for these reasons that Boone Langston is a worthy nominee for the MVP award... despite his delay on putting "Yor" on DVD.
If you would like to post your opinion on who should win this award, please do so in the Comment box.
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