Lantern Center Volunteer Awards

On August 18, 2026, our community gathered to celebrate the volunteers who collectively contributed 4,950 hours in 2025 through one-on-one tutoring and other forms of service.

The Lantern Award is our highest volunteer honor, presented annually to individuals whose extraordinary dedication and service exemplify the spirit of the Lantern Center. Established in 2009, the award celebrates volunteers whose commitment shines brightly in our community. At our 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, we were proud to honor Tom Boxleiter and Dianne Gibson.

Champion Awards: Art Roche was recognized for his longtime service to the Lantern Center and the immigrant community. The Presentation Sisters were honored for 25 years of partnership and for helping make our move to the Presentation Motherhouse possible.

10-Year Service Awards: Sue Ward, Sharon Speckhard and Beth Whisler were recognized for a decade of volunteer service. Not pictured: Mary Hoelscher and Becky Taylor-Harris.

2026 Lantern Awards

Tom Boxleiter and Dianne Gibson were honored with the Lantern Award!

2026 Champion Awards

10-Year Service Awards

Champion Award winners pictured here: Art Roche, Sr. Marge Healy, PBVM Associates Connie & Terry McDermott, Sr. Marilou Irons, Sr. Rita Menart, Sr. Richelle Friedman, PBVM Executive Director Jean Lange and Sr. Carmen Hermandez
Sue Ward, Sharon Speckhard and Beth Whisler were honored with a decade of service. Not pictured: Mary Hoelscher and Becky Taylor-Harris.

Lantern Award Winners

2026 – Tom Boxleiter & Dianne Gibson

2025 – JoJean Decker, Charlotte Enright, OSF, Katie Fischer, Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA

2024 – Jim & Suzanne Heinle and Tim & Mary Moothart

2023 – Becky Taylor-Harris & Beth Whisler

2022 – Marci Blum, OSF and Barb Day

2021 – Online Celebration of all Tutors

2020 – Eileen Mesler and  Susan Ivis, OSF

2018 & 2019 – Sharon Speckhard, Mary Toohey, Catherine Bastin and Dr. Julie Phillips

 

2017  – Mary Hoelscher and Larry Kruse

2016 – Mary Martens, BVM

2015 – Sr. Carol Ann Berte, OSF, and Pam Miller

2014 – Dianne Roche

2013 – Tom LoGuidice

2012 – Meghan Toohey and Sr. Rene Laubenthal

2011 – Sr. Carla Popes, PBVM, and Frank Reinert

2010 – Sr. James Marie Gross, PBVM, and Don Ruden

2009 – Sandy Amberg and Sr. Francesca Presseler, PBVM

2024 Lantern Award winners Jim & Suzanne Heinle and Mary & Tim Moothart.
2025 Lantern Award winner Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA is currently working with a student from Myanmar.
10-year volunteer Katie Fischer accepts her award with her husband Jerry Enzler who is also a tutor!
2025 Lantern Award recipient Charlotte Enright, OSF is a long-time educator who loves dedicating her time to work with multilingual learners.
2013 Lantern Award winner and 10-year award winner Dianne Roche loves forming friendships with her students.
Long-time volunteer Mary Martens, BVM was honored with the Lantern Award in 2016.

         Honoring a Decade
             of Dedication

At our volunteer appreciation night in July 2025, we extended a heartfelt gratitude to these volunteers who have dedicated 10+ years of service to the Lantern Center.

For a decade, their steadfast commitment has brightened our community and helped countless students find confidence, belonging and hope. Their loyalty and compassion embody the very spirit of our mission—thank you for lighting the way, year after year.  

 

L-R: Mary Jean Gregory, Jim & Suzanne Heinle, Katie Fischer, Dianne Roche, Mary Martens, BVM, Mary & Tim Moothart.  Tom LoGuidice and Sue Simon are pictured below. Not pictured: Barbara Day.
Tom Lo Guidice was recognized as a 10-year volunteer in 2025. We honored him with the Lantern Award in 2013.
Sue Simon is congratulated by Sue Ellis and Megan Ruiz.
Former board member JoJean Decker received the Lantern Award in 2025.