LYMAN — The Disability:IN Uinta County annual awards luncheon for the Bridger Valley was held Wednesday, Oct. 25, at noon at the Lyman Heritage Barn.

A delicious meal of spaghetti, salad, homemade rolls and cupcakes was catered and served to the guests by Ready Done Meals.

An orange chair, Wanda Rogers’ favorite color, was placed near the podium at the front of the room, with a placard on the chair that read, “Wanda’s Chair – This place is set aside to remember our founder. She will always have a place here.” Rogers, longtime executive director and co-developer, died in May.

Disability:IN board member Chris Adams opened the ceremony. Adams  introduced Ben Carr, Mountain View High School principal, who gave the opening address.

“Welcome to the 25th annual award ceremony,” Carr said. “It is incredible that we have had a quarter of  a century partnership with Disability:IN. I want to thank the mentors, the employers and the students who have participated in the success of this program in the Valley. Let’s take a moment to remember Wanda Rogers who gave 25 years to this program. We are here today because of her.”

Savannah Taylor with the U.S. Forest Service (2022 award winner) presented the 2023 Mentor of the Year Award.

Taylor read the award, “We would like to identify two exceptional mentors for the 2023 award that are always going above and beyond. Please help me in recognizing Linda Newton and Colette Bugas as recipients of the 2023 Mentor of the Year Award. Linda and Colette connect with their students and make sure that they feel welcome, heard and cared for. Linda and Colette have been collaborating with Disability:IN for 25 years and have attended every event. They are always ready to help their students get what they need to be successful in life? Wanda spoke highly of Linda and Colette and valued them immensely. Your life is better if you are blessed to have Linda and Colette to be a part of it.”

The award for employer of the year was presented by the 2022 award winner David Benton with First Bank. Benton recognized the Town of Mountain View as the 2023 Employer of the Year.

The 2023 Student Employee of the Year Award was given by 2022 award winner Seamus Hamilton to Abby Wells. The nomination letter for Wells was written by teachers with the summer work program at Uinta County School District No. 4.

The last award to be given was the Wanda Rogers Spirit Award which is given for recognition to businesses or individuals who demonstrate exemplary effort to promote the vision, mission and spirit of Disability:IN Uinta County.

Gina Jones said, “This year’s recipient is presented to Kayne Pyatt. Kayne supports the purpose of Disability:IN Uinta County by advocating for our mission through her work at the Uinta County Herald. There is a lot that can be said about Kayne, but what we feel is the most important is she is the epitome of community. Kayne is a true pillar of Evanston, and we are pleased to present her with this distinguished honor.”