Zanella, Amherst Communications, and Voss chosen for Spirit Awards

Starting in 2004, the Jensen Community Center and the Jensen Community Spirit have selected and celebrated members of the community who exhibit exemplary community spirit. Every year, we receive many worthy nominees, and this year we received more than usual in all categories. Thank you to all who nominated.

We are happy to announce the 2025 Person of the Year, Business of the Year, and Junior Person of the Year. Thank you to all of you for making the Tomorrow River area such a wonderful place to live.

Award recipients will receive a plaque at our annual Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, October 17, at the Jensen Center.

Without further ado, we’re pleased to announce:

2025 Person of the Year: Connie Zanella

Nominated by Variety Productions (Janet Glodowski), VurChelle Baumann, Jolynn Wucherer, Aimee Lusic, Andrea Eichmann, Sarah Beversdorf, and Brooke Mahoney,

From Janet Glodowski:

We are nominating Connie Zanella as Person of the Year because she is beyond deserving of this award. I first met Connie, as she was and still is the concessions coordinator for football and other sports for Amherst High School. She is so organized and is so easy to work with to provide this service for the community. Also, her kids have long graduated and she still continues to help in this capacity.

I then continued to get to know Connie as she volunteered her time for the Amherst High School musicals. She would help with costuming and all back-stage endeavors. And she does all of this while owning and managing four area Subway restaurants with her husband, Dean.

When I approached Connie to help with all Variety Productions musicals/shows and more, she didn’t even hesitate before saying, “Yes.” She is always willing to pitch in to help the community or a cause and always does top notch everything! She is the back-stage manager, costumer extraordinaire, food organizer, awesome sandwich maker, and so much more. She has helped with numerous Variety Productions musicals, Opera House Christmas Concerts, Steps of Summer, and the most recent new adventure that I asked her to join, Tunes on the Terrace. With Connie, we are always successful.

And she has raised her daughter, Gracie, to do all the same volunteering as I stated for her! They are the Dynamic Duo and have had a huge impact on the community. With her organizational skills and willingness to help, Variety Productions has been beyond successful and has donated thousands of dollars to area organizations.

[Editor’s note: Highlights from the additional nominations for Zanella follow.]

From VurChelle Baumann: I have had the pleasure of working with Connie for several music department events including musical productions, Holiday Fest, and hosting Solo and Ensemble. Whenever Connie was on the team, I knew we were in very capable hands.

From Jolynn Wucherer: If you have ever been to the school’s concession stand, you know that it is not your average quick snack! Connie strives to make sure we have delicious meals and a variety of snacks and treats for as many events as possible. The amount of time and energy that she puts into this is not always seen by the average bystander or customer. She orders the food, picks up the food, organizes the food, helps find volunteers, organizes volunteers, trains volunteers, and does all the behind-the-scenes necessities that take a lot of time out of her already busy day. Connie also helps with the Varsity program by supplying Gatorade and food when they need it often at a moment’s notice!

From Aimee Lusic: Connie believes in hard work and being involved in her community. She would certainly be the first person I would call if I needed help getting something started or running smoothly. Connie encourages others involved to continue to help in more ways and is a great role model for our younger members of the community to see how one can give back. Connie does this, and more, with a smile and a sense of purpose that is unquestionably inspiring.

From Andrea Eichmann and Sarah Beversdorf: Connie Zanella quietly makes a huge impact on the Amherst community by generously and selflessly contributing her time and talent.

From Brooke Mahoney: Connie is a true pillar of the Amherst community, dedicating countless hours to supporting and uplifting local youth. Connie’s unwavering positivity, generosity, and dedication make her a shining example of community spirit.

Above all things, Connie is humble and does all these things because she truly cares rather than the accolades that would accompany them. The world needs more people like Connie — I know my life is better with her in it.

2025 Business of the Year: Amherst Communications

Nominated by Kerry Steinert (for Amherst Communications employees)

Amherst Communications has been an integral part of the Amherst community for more than 120 years. As a locally owned and family-run company, they consistently demonstrate a deep commitment not only to delivering exceptional broadband service but also to fostering a workplace culture rooted in care, respect, and community spirit. They go above and beyond for their employees — offering benefits like Volunteer Time Off so staff can give back during work hours and supporting those who serve on local fire departments.

Their leadership understands that being a strong local business means being a strong local partner. They lead by example, championing values of civic involvement, service, and long-term investment in the communities they serve. This is not a company that simply operates in the area — they actively shape, support, and strengthen it.

The company has a longstanding and wide-reaching impact on the Tomorrow River Area through generous sponsorships, donations, and support for youth, education, the arts, public safety, and social services. They’ve contributed to:

• Local scholarships for graduating high school seniors

• The Amherst and Rosholt Portage County Fairs

• TRACK (Tomorrow River Area Community Kitchen)

• Make-A-Wish Foundation and Relay for Life

• Tomorrow River School athletics and yearbooks

• Local sports broadcasting and radio announcing

• Celebrate Amherst and the Lions Club Golf Tournament

• The United Way and MREA Energy Fair

• Boy Scouts Wreath Fair and FFA Animal Auction

• Youth soccer, baseball, and the Amherst Falcons Wrestling Club

• The Boys and Girls Club and the Humane Societies of Portage & Waupaca Counties

• CAP Services/Family Crisis Center, Freddy’s Home Plate, Bread of Life Hope Center of Portage County

This is just a partial list, and yet it speaks volumes. Amherst Communications doesn’t just support one cause — they support many, consistently and generously, year after year. Their fingerprints are all over the events, organizations, and initiatives that make the Tomorrow River Area a more connected, compassionate, and vibrant place to live.

2025 Junior Person of the Year: Presley Voss

Nominated by Mike Klieforth

It is with immense pleasure and unwavering conviction that I recommend Presley Voss for the Junior Person of the Year award. Having witnessed Presley’s dedication and exceptional character firsthand, I can confidently state that she is, by far, the most involved and well-rounded student I have ever encountered. Her ability to balance an extraordinary array of commitments while excelling in each is truly remarkable and sets her apart as a deserving candidate for this prestigious honor.

Presley’s commitment to her education is paramount. She consistently maintains an impressive 3.8 GPA, a testament to her exceptional time management skills and unwavering dedication. Her academic prowess is further evidenced by her receipt of All-Conference academic awards for the past three years and Academic Achievement awards for the past two years. These accolades underscore her disciplined approach to studies, even amidst a demanding schedule.

Beyond her academic achievements, Presley’s involvement in extracurricular activities is nothing short of astounding. She is an active member of eight diverse clubs, including Spanish Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Honor Society, Student Council, HOSA, Educators Rising, Quiz Bowl, and Fishing Club.

Her musical talents shine through her participation in concert choir, chamber singers, treble choir, band, and drum line. Her dedication to music is further highlighted by her remarkable success in solo-ensemble, where she competed in 27 events over the past three years, advancing to state in an astonishing 25 of them. Furthermore, Presley has played the piano for 11 years and has independently taught herself to play the ukulele. Her commanding presence on stage has also been evident in her many major roles in school musicals, where her lead performance in Footloose left me in awe and solidified my decision to nominate her for this award.

Presley’s leadership and positive influence extend to the athletic arena as well. She is a dedicated participant in softball, including travelling teams, and basketball. On and off the playing surface, she embodies leadership, setting a powerful example for her teammates through her positive attitude, unwavering determination, and inspiring leadership.

Perhaps most impressively, even with her packed schedule, Presley consistently finds time to contribute meaningfully to her community. During the holiday season, she spreads cheer by singing Christmas carols at Cahoots. She also serves as a student director for the K-8 summer musicals, where she finds genuine joy in nurturing young performers and laying a strong foundation for future Amherst performances. Her musical contributions further extend to the community’s Young Adult workshop nights at the Landmark, where she shares her talents on the piano and as a vocalist. Remarkably, Presley also manages to hold a job, having worked in restaurants since the age of 14 and currently at Grit ’n’ Grace.

For all these reasons and more, Presley Voss is not just deserving but truly embodies the spirit and qualifications for the Junior Person of the Year award. Her exceptional academic record, unparalleled extracurricular engagement, athletic leadership, and profound commitment to community service make her an exemplary role model and an undeniable asset to the Amherst community.

I know I am probably forgetting something, but she is more than deserving of this award. I cannot believe how she can be so active in school and in the community and still go above and beyond in academics as well as being a great person. She is a role model to all!

Congratulations to this year’s recipients. A list of past award winners and the nomination form can be found here.