Out & About: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region celebrates dreams come true

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 12:01 a.m. | Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 12:01 a.m.

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Seen at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region’s Celebration of Mentoring, held Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin, were Executive Director Stephanie Babich Mihleder (second from left) with mentoring honorees Tom Potosky, McKay Ehrman and Shirley Vargosko.

(From left) Carolyn Tlumack, Annie Welty and Big Sister Janet Boger at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region’s Celebration of Mentoring, held Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region board president Chuck Shoff (center) with event chairs Robie Shoff and Mary Beth Atwood at the organization’s Celebration of Mentoring, held Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin.

(From left) Event guests Ana Salas and Katie Beisler, both of Pittsburgh, and Big Sister Elysa Schwartz check out the basket raffle at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region’s Celebration of Mentoring, held Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region held its annual Celebration of Mentoring on Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin.

The program offered this invitation: “Let’s celebrate the lives being changed, the dreams coming true and those who are making it happen” — which, of course, refers to the relationships the organization fosters between children and their caring volunteer mentors.

Volunteer honorees this year included McKay Ehrman, Shirley Vargosko, Tom Potosky and Jeanette Hernandez.

Receiving M. Dennis Taylor Continuing Education Awards, named for a former Big Brothers board member who died in 2013 from cancer, were Mercedes Holets and Elizabeth Kestler. Awards come with a $500 post-secondary education scholarship.

For some guests, it was a first chance to meet new executive director Stephanie Babich Mihleder. Mihleder said she was happy with her work situation when she first heard of the job opening, but as she learned more about the organization, “I was hooked. How could I not want to spend my life working on this mission that has proven life-changing results?”

BBBSLR staff members include Laurie Sarady, Brittany Rosneck, Tara Schleihauf and Ali Iezzi. Board officers are Chuck Shoff, Mary Beth Atwood and Mike Venditti.