phone call from ANCOR with news that Molly had been selected as DSP of the Year for South Dakota. “It was pretty exciting. The woman calling told me the information, and then said we had to keep it under our hat for awhile,” Joe said. “We were able to tell a few key people, but overall we weren’t able to share the news until some time had passed and it was closer to the conference.” “I didn’t really have any idea about this at first,” Molly said. “They (the SESDAC, Inc. administrators) had to ask me questions during the application process, so I knew I was nominated, and then after some time I was told I had won the award. It was pretty cool.” DSPs across the country provide daily support services for the many Americans with disabilities. DSPs are integral in helping people with disabilities participate in their communities and lead full and independent lives. Joe said Molly’s name repeatedly surfaced as discussions were held among SESDAC, Inc. staff during the process of selecting a nominee. “In everything we do, we look back at our mission statement, and make sure that what we do is enhancing our mission,” he said. SESDAC, Inc. is a community-based service agency begun in 1973 in Vermillion that is committed to providing services and support to help individuals realize independence and happiness. SESDAC, Inc. strives to provide comprehensive services that allow people of varying needs and ability to live in a community setting. This is achieved through the use of person-centered planning and service allocation which ensures that the right resources and services are available for the right people at the right time. “As a group, we did talk about the nominee process a few different times, and Molly’s name kept coming up,” Joe said. “We felt that she embodies what it means to build community resources to create a person-centered life. When she supports people, it’s about the people and the relationship that she forms with them. It’s not just a job. “There are multiple people who can see that, who have thoughts on that and offered different perspectives on that – these are people ranging from our business manager and our maintenance director, to our nursing director and our director of services,” he said. “It wasn’t just our supervisor saying ‘yes, she does a great job.’ There are a lot of people who notice what she does and she does it well.” “My guess would be that the reason that the state committee chose Molly is that there are up to 10 categories that you need to address in your nomination,” said Rennae O’Connor, SESDAC, Inc.’s services director. “My guess is that many nominations were strong in some categories and not as strong in others. What we found, as we worked through each category and how to address it in the nomination, is there are lots and lots of things to say about Molly in every one of those categories.” Molly is a native of Elk Point, and a graduate of Elk Point-Jefferson High School. She began working at SESDAC, Inc. in November 2010 while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. “I started working here my sophomore year,” she said. “I had heard about SESDAC from one of my classmates who had worked here, and I also needed a job. I read a little bit about SESDAC, and sent in my application.” Molly was hired, and soon her life began to be filled with HAMMITT Considering A Career Change? NOW HIRING Apply online at www.firstnational.com Shelly Noecker, Eric Larson, Anita Hladky “I have been commuting from Hartington, NE and working for First National since 1999. The monthly incentives have definitely offset my costs for commuting! Everyone here is wonderful to work with and I have made many great friends through the years. The bank offers a great benefit package including health, dental and vision insurance along with an unbeatable 401K package.” Barb Becker “I have appreciated the training resources that have been available to me through First National Bank. They have helped me achieve my career goals.” Eric Larson Samantha Quirk, Connie Smith, Barb Becker “There are many reasons why I enjoy working at First National Bank. Most importantly it gives me the opportunity to assist and help our customers who live across the United States. The communication and training is amazing and I take a lot of pride in being part of the First National Family.” Samantha Quirk Steve Spiers, Holly Weverstad equal opportunity employer Yankton, SD continued on page 22 HERVOICE JULY/AUGUST 2014 v 21