Stories from Sunday, November 1, 2020

Beth Emmendorfer, EdD comes from a family of strong women. Her grandmother and mother instilled in her many key life principles, including the importance of an education in breaking barriers. So, it was no surprise when Beth enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University and earned a degree in elementary and special education...

In partnership with Southeast Missouri State University, the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau created a Golden Z club, for college students who have a heart for improving the lives of women and girls. Zonta members mentor, assist, and serve alongside these young women. ...

Sam Baumbach The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships are awarded to women undertaking business studies who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, NY, and the Zonta International Parliamentarian from 1990-1995. She was a professional secretary, parliamentarian and entrepreneur. The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau has chosen Sam Baumbach as the Jane M. Klausman award recipient...

Crisis Aid Crisis Aid is committed to helping the helpless with relief efforts locally and globally and equipping those who are beyond the crisis to take responsibility by providing programs which train, inspire and move them to independent, self-sustained living. ...

Dr. Gretchen Price, a hospitalist and thought leader behind the St. Francis COVID Care Unit, thinks and acts in a forward leaning posture. Always. She designed a team to be prepared for deliberate action instead of merely reacting to the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic. ...

Andrea Roseman was born and raised in the Bootheel. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Chris, and has two children, Grant and Merideth. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and for the past 13 years she has been homeschooling her children...

Gwen Maloney has been a nurse for 37 years practicing and serving communities in Cape Girardeau and abroad. Maloney’s professional credentials include RN, BSN and Certified Neurological RN. Gwen has served as the CEO of Samaritan Regional Health Clinic here in Cape Girardeau for the past nine years. ...

Angela Scherer Bommarito knows what life can throw at a gal and how, with the strength of her God, can overcome it all. Angela was diagnosed with skin cancer in July 2017 and as a result, within a year, she was diagnosed with lymphedema. Lymphedema is swelling due to a blockage in the lymphatic system which is a big part of the human immune system. Only a few treatment options or surgery exist to manage lymphedema; however, insurance payments for these services remain sparse...

Lisa Nice graduated from Notre Dame High School and went on to Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, where she majored in communication disorders. She met her husband Jeremy in Warrensburg and then returned to Cape Girardeau to earn her MA from SEMO. Lisa worked as a speech language pathologist at Saint Francis Healthcare...

LaKenya Taylor A.K.A. The Money Clues Lady, is a wife, mother, mentor and friend to many. She has served the community and region repeatedly with her gifts and service. One gift arose when LaKenya noticed a local need, and Pad It was birthed to provide feminine hygiene products to women and girls in need of them. ...

Mia Pohlman is the writer and editor of special publications at Rustmedia, where she edits three regional magazines: the women’s magazine Flourish, the health and active living magazine mind + body, and the magazine for the 50+ plus crowd The Best Years (TBY). ...

Caroline Harding-Ritter attended Cape Central High School, followed by the University of Missouri, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, as well as a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. After graduating, Caroline packed her bags and moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she worked at Restoration Hardware as a design consultant. The experience allowed her to pursue her passion for a living and create the perfect space for clients...

Dr. Alyssa Ruopp Baker is proof positive that if you put your mind to something you can make a difference. A graduate of Notre Dame High School, Alyssa lives in Cape Girardeau with her husband, Corey and their daughter, Beatrix, who was born in the spring of 2019...

Riley Ferguson may have been born and raised right here in Cape Girardeau, but her heart for service has taken her far beyond our borders. She first lived and served in a children’s home in Africa with 40 orphaned and vulnerable toddlers when she was only 15 years old. After graduation from Cape Central High School in 2013, Riley spent a gap semester of six months living in Eswatini, Africa (Swaziland) working through the organization HeartforAfrica.org...

Sixteen years ago, Megan Steimle’s world was rocked when she was diagnosed with an Arachnoid brain cyst. After undergoing surgery to remove the cyst, she received radiation. Then her body went into rejection, sending spinal fluid to the brain. Two more surgeries in the following six months were required to remove the buildup of fluids. Megan has since been in remission. A strong woman of faith; she credits prayer for helping her through this difficult time...

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Missouri Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Missouri has partnered with Zonta to help fund our SMART Girls Program. SMART Girls is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls in three age groups. ...

Heather Nelson is the only head coach that has guided the Southeast Missouri State University’s women’s soccer program since its inception in 1999. In over 20 years, under her steady guidance, the Redhawks have posted 16 winning seasons and compiled a 229-178-59 record. ...

Ashton Balsmann is a Vice President and Mortgage Coordinator for Wood & Huston Bank. In addition, she is a young mother to Maxi Drew (2) and infant twins Beau & Baylor (9 mos) and wife to Dane Balsmann. Despite her busy home life, Ashton has carved out time to co-chair the American Cancer Society Gala the last several years and is a past president and current Treasurer for the Southeast Health Ambassadors supporting the HeartStrong Fund...

Erin Boyer was born and raised in Cape Girardeau. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree. For the last 13 years she has been senior client associate with Wells Fargo. Now a resident of Jackson, Erin, her husband, Trey, and their three sons: Frankie (10), Colton (8), and Jaxson (5) face more than their share of challenges. ...

Krista Baker, a Cape Girardeau native and graduate of Cape Central High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from University of Kentucky. Over the years she has served in many roles as a nurse; including time spent as a circulating nurse in surgery, as a traveling nurse and as a clinical instructor. She has worked at both Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center as well as doing some work across state lines...

If you got to know Shelly Gerard and spent any time with her, you would never guess that she is a self- proclaimed “true homebody.” Instead you would see a woman who values, understands and purposefully shares her time, resources and connections so freely over a multi-county area...

Jennifer Partridge has been a licensed speech-language pathologist since 2016. She began her career at the SEMO Autism Center where for three years she participated in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations and therapy. In addition, Jennifer rose to the challenges of obtaining extra training and mentorship, including a Level 1 training in PECS and PROMPT therapy interventions. ...