The annual meeting of Hetlinger Developmental Services, Inc. will be held on Thursday, January 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hetlinger facility. Directors will be elected and the annual report of the corporation will be presented at the meeting.
There are four positions on the board to be filled. The following board members are completing terms on the board: Jill Brown, Susan Cockrell, Marla Darby, and Ty Wheeler. Marla Darby and Ty Wheeler are seeking re-election, however Jill Brown and Susan Cockrell have chosen not to run for re-election at this time. Other nominees include Trenna Hanlin and Shirley Langley.
Trudy Hutchinson
Executive Director
Candidates were asked to write a brief biography of themselves including their occupation and qualifications for serving as a board member. They were also asked to state why they are interested in serving on the board of Hetlinger Developmental Services, Inc.
MARLA DARBY
Biography - As an undergraduate at ESU, I worked at Hetlinger for 4 years until
I graduated. That was the time in my life when I knew that working with
persons with special needs was my calling. I received my degree in special
education, and I have been a special education teacher since that time
in 1975. While in the classroom, I worked primarily with secondary students
and focused on transition into adult life. Therefore I am familiar with
and have a strong belief in self-advocacy and person-centered planning
for persons who have disabilities. I have worked with the Flint Hills
Special Education Cooperative (FHSEC) for 25 years; the first 14 years
as a teacher for students who received special education services, and
for the last 11 years I have served as the Instructional Materials Center
(IMC) Director. Since the IMC is housed on the ESU campus, I also work
with the Teachers College there and have adjunct taught for the university
for the past 15 years. At the present time I also work with assistive
technology needs for students in the FHSEC.
Interest in serving on board - Adults with disabilities are people first. They should be an integral part of the community and have opportunities to work, play, and contribute to the culture and life of the community. Hetlinger Developmental Services offers their clients the services that they need to enrich their lives and to enable them to be an important part of our community. I am a person who has the background knowledge to help make decisions that will positively impact the lives of the individuals who receive services from Hetlinger.
TRENNA HANLIN
Biography -
I graduated from Olpe High School in 1995 and continued my education
at Emporia State University. In August 1999, I received my bachelor's
degree in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in Early
Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education. Since my degree I have
taught in public schools for 5 years and have taught at ESU Center for
Early Childhood Education for a little more than a year. I currently
started teaching preschool three afternoons a week at Olpe Elementary.
My husband, Kevin and I have one child. Garland is 3 and we enjoy watching him grow and develop. I spent his first two years with him as a stay at home mom. Kevin is employed for the City of Emporia as Zoning Enforcement Officer.
As for the qualifications for serving on the board, I feel like my background in education will help assist me in being an active board member. I am also a lifelong resident of Lyon County and will be committed to our county.
Interest in serving on board - When approached by Carrie Boettcher about serving on the board, I felt like this was a good opportunity for me to become involved with something in the community. Having had Carrie's daughter in my room, I felt like she knew I was a qualified person to serve with her and work with the rest of the board members.
SHIRLEY LANGLEY
Biography - I was born in Emporia, Kansas and attended school and Emporia State
University in Emporia. While I was a college student, I worked at Hetlinger's
when it was a day school for disabled children before they were allowed
to enroll in public schools. I moved to Texas with my husband while
he was in service during the middle of my college career. When we moved
back, I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in special education
at Emporia State. Since then, I have been employed as a special education
teacher for the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative working in
the Emporia School System. My husband Mike and I have 2 children and
7 grandchildren who all live in Silver Lake, Kansas.
Interest in serving on board - I am retiring from teaching this spring and would be happy to continue to be involved with children and adults with disabilities.
TY WHEELER
Biography -
Ty Wheeler is an attorney for Kansas Legal Services. Mr. Wheeler was
elected to the board in 2005 and has served as president since May 2006.
It was that time of the year again, the decorations were hung, the presents were wrapped, and everyone was ready for vacation. But not before the Consumer's annual Christmas celebration.
Thursday, December 20th Consumers enjoyed a pizza party, cake, ornament decorating, and the big man himself, Santa Claus.
Santa was greeted with smiles, laughter, lots of noise, an occasional hug and handshake, and even a stolen kiss. Our very own Lynn Owens was Santa's designated helper this year due to his impressive white beard he grew over several months to mimic Santa himself.
We would all like to thank Santa for taking time out of his very busy schedule to spend
the afternoon with us. Another big thank you to everyone who made the day special.
Board Meeting Schedule
January 17
February 21
March 20
April 17
Board
President - Ty Wheeler
Vice President - Jackie Scott
Secretary - Karen Pendlay
Treasurer - Eunice Kuhlmann-Grieder
Directors
Carrie Boettcher
Jill Brown
Susan Cockrell
Marla Darby
Leonard Dieker
Carolyn Koch
Tami Mollach
Kim York