Achievement Award: Cindy Malichky, Class of 1978 Cindy Malichky began her job as secretary to the Board President the same day she graduated from Mid-Prairie; she’s been there ever since, adapting to many changes in technology, from typewriters to computer software programing. “When Malichky started high school, she wanted to see how well she could do if she tried as hard as she could. She has continued with that mindset into her current career. She loves her job and enjoys helping the staff. She believes all staff have an impact on students and wants to help them be the best they can be,” says the article about her in the association newsletter.

Vocational Award: Jeremy Statler, Class of 1990 After graduating the University of Iowa, Jeremy Statler sought work with a general contractor in Louisiana and gained construction experience. When his father, George Statler, invited him back to join him at his own business, Statler Construction, Jeremy made the move and helped George build the business into the success it is today. “Living and working in a small town has motivated Jeremy to strive for excellence on a regular basis, as he wants to ensure his reputation is of the highest caliber. At Statler Construction, they do everything possible to make sure customers are as happy with the business at the completion of a project as they were at the start.”

Community Impact Award: Meg Peterseim Nagel, Class of 1987 Third-generation funeral director Meg Peterseim Nagel got her vocational start at a young age; her father taught her to embalm when she was in high school, part of learning the family business at Peterseim Funeral Home. “Nagel’s career is her way of making a positive impact in the Mid-Prairie community,” the article about her in the Alumni newsletter reads. “She wants to support grieving families the best that she can. When she’s helping them make final arrangements and say goodbye to their loved ones, she tries to remember how she felt when she lost her own father and what she needed at that time. Nagel’s hope is to ease someone’s burden, even a little, as they go through on of their most difficult life experiences.”

Fine Arts Award: Collette Conway McClellen, Class of 1997 A performer in bands and choirs herself, Collette Conway McClellen is in her 21st year of teaching music at Mid-Prairie High School. For the award-winning director, “being able to sing and perform is extremely important to her. She believes it makes her a better director, as she gets to remember what it’s like to be in an ensemble.” “When identifying her motivation to strive for excellence, McClellen immediately points to her students. She loves to see them excited for an upcoming performance, working hard while practicing for a contest and sharing their ideas about how to improve. While she strives for her best on a daily basis, her success has taken a lot of hard work and dedicated time.”

Athletic Award: Dave Schlabaugh, Class of 1980 Basketball coach Dave Schlabaugh has taken teams at Cornell College (Mt. Vernon), Williamsburg High School, Mid-Prairie High School, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Morningside College to winning seasons, tournament qualifiers, and conference championships. His coaching has earned him Coach of the Year awards multiple times. The current head men’s basketball coach at Cornell, he also directs a summer basketball camp and works with USA Basketball. “He has spoken at the USA Basketball Coaches Academy on three occasions in three different states. Dave has been a coach and speaker at the USA Basketball Gold Camp in Omaha, as well as a coach at a USA Basketball Camp in Houston. He enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding clinicians at these events and bring new ideas back to Cornell.”