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What: WISE Women of Blair County Tribute Awards Dinner

When: 6 p.m. April 23

Where: The Casino at Lakemont Park

Tickets: $45 per person, call 515-0095

The name may have changed, but the goal of recognizing women in the community who have made a difference through their work and volunteering is the same.

Seven women will be honored April 23 at The Casino at Lakemont Park with WISE Women of Blair County Tribute awards. WISE, which stands for Women Involved in Scholarship and Empowerment, was created after the YWCA disbanded.

The Tribute is the continuation of the YWCA'S Tribute to Women Awards, which for 16 years recognized women whose contributions to the community embodied the Y's goals -- economic empowerment of women and the elimination of racism, Donna Gority, convener of the Tribute selection commitee, said.

"It is our intent to continue to do the Tribute," she added. "I think it is a very prestigious award and recognition in the community that we're identifying women considered outstanding in their field of endeavor."

This year, former recipients of the YWCA awards chose winners from 48 nominees, JoEllen Steinbrunner, secretary of the board of directors, said.

Lifetime Achievement

Kathleen A. O'Rourke has gone from working full time for the Altoona Area School District to devoting her time as a volunteer to a number of groups.

"I couldn't do what I'm doing in the community and have a full-time job," she said.

But she didn't expect the WISE award and says part of her winning the award is luck.

"I was very surprised and very pleased because I know there are so many people who are so worthy of this award," she said. "I've always tried to help people in different ways, both in my job and in the community."

O'Rourke, 67, of St. Boniface said she believes in using the talents that you have and gifts you've been given to help other people.

In 2001, she retired as the department chair of counseling from Altoona Area School District where she worked for 38 years in various roles. She has a doctorate of education in counseling.

She focuses on working in the Altoona area.

"That was where I earned my money, so that's where I'm volunteering," she said.

She works with the AASD Founda-tion and is working on a pilot project called SOAR to identify promising students in junior high and mentor them. The program also may include raising funds for the students' college education.

"We see too many good students not being able to go on to college," she said.

She credits peer support and mentors in the educational community as being important to her work.

Other groups she works with include Contact Altoona, AASD Foundation, Hastings Public Library Board, Hastings Area Industrial Development Association, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Hastings.

Arts & Letters

Renee Staines has made her mark as owner and artistic director of her studio, Altoona Dance Theatre, and her involvement in the community.

Nominated by her mother, Linda Brantlinger, the 26-year-old Staines of Altoona is passionate about dance.

Her studio, which she opened in 2003, offers classes for children age 2 through adults. She also teaches physically and mentally challenged students, including children with multiple sclerosis, attention deficit disorder, autism and Down syndrome.

"It is something I started in college. It's always been a passion of mine. My uncle has Down syndrome, and I grew up working with that," she said.

Cece Haines, who has known Staines since she was a little girl, describes her as "a young woman who possesses the rare qualities of kindness, generosity and a loving spirit."

"I teach every aspect of the arts - how to dance and all the terminology, the history, how to perform," Staines said. "It is not only dancing, but it provides self discipline, great poise and dedication. It really helps you in all aspects of life."

She said she appreciates the award.

"I was completely shocked. I had no clue," she said.

Staines is a 2000 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School, a 2003 graduate of Penn State University and a member of the Professional Dance Teacher's Associa-tion.

She and her husband, Brian, have a 7-month-old son Noah.

Education

Kelly Detwiler's life revolves around music.

At Altoona Area High School, she is the director of orchestras and instructor of advanced placement music theory and harmony at the high school and junior high.

"Music is an outlet for a lot of the students. They get a chance to express themselves in ways they can't in other classrooms," Detwil-er, 41, of Altoona said.

A role model for her students, Detwiler said she is honored to get the education award. And it came as a "big surprise." Her mother, Barbara Lovell, nominated her.

She said she enjoys working with students.

"It's quite a team effort ... to have those students involved in a group ... particularly those students who may not have the perfect home life. (With music) they have something they love and feel proud of. And it builds their self confidence," she said.

Detwiler, who has been teaching at AASD for 18 years, said when she started there were not many women teaching in high school instrumental programs.

"I struggled to establish myself and the respect of others, but it pushed me to work harder and to become a lead-er in many organizations and activities," she said.

She and her husband, Larry Detwiler, band director for AAHS, have two children, Courtney, 11, and Mackenzie, 8

She is a 1985 graduate of Altoona Area High School and a 1990 graduate of Penn State University.

Business/

Professional

Kathleen Sweeney, 50, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, has combined her love of being a doctor with a drive to educate others.

She is the director of the osteopathic internship and family practice residency and associate director of the family medicine residency at the Altoona Family Physicians at the Altoona Regional Hospital at Altoona campus.

"I'm very thankful for the honor ... and I'm also very proud to be part of the Altoona Hospital, because I think it's a great thing to help take care of the health care of your friends and neighbors," she said.

According to Dr. Don Beckman, who nominated Sweeney for the award, she trains young physicians to be excellent family doctors, many of whom stay in the Altoona area.

Sweeney of Hollidaysburg said she sees herself as an educator.

"We teach the residents the business aspects of medicine, but my real position combines all sorts of things - patient care and taking care of administrative work to stay approved," she said.

"I love my job and I love my position. I'd like to continue to develop and grow as a professional. Someday, eventually, if I retired, I'd still like to work in an outpatient setting in a free clinic. I really like what I do," she said.

A 1984 graduate of Phila-delphia College of Osteo-pathic Medicine, she has been with AFP since 1990. She is married to Thomas Reese and has two sons: Pat-rick Reese, 17; and Michael Reese, 10; and four step-children, Evan Reese, 41; Meri Reese, 38; Justin Reese, 38; and Alex Reese, 31.

Nonprofit/

Government

Diane L. Meling likes to be a force of change.

"I enjoy community service, and I enjoy making things happen. And I have an ability to make things happen. I like to have an impact, and that's why I first got involved in politics as a municipal township supervisor," she said.

"I was very pleasantly surprised, and I'm honored," she said of the award.

Meling, 59, of Altoona has served in government for a total of 22 years in the following roles: six years as a Logan Township supervisor, three years as Hollidaysburg Borough manager, 11 years as the borough's director of community development and now as a Blair County commissioner.

"Diane is an inspiration to women of all ages," said to Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor of Penn State Altoona.

As a Penn State Altoona returning adult student, she earned an associate degree in business administration in 1995 and a bachelor's degree in letters, arts and sciences in 1999. She accomplished her educational goals while simultaneously caring for a family and maintaining a full-time job.

Meling is the widow of the late Dr. Kjell Meling, former associate dean of Academic Affairs and Emeritus Professor of English at Penn State Altoona.

"I enjoyed the service I had at all levels (of government). I think the position of county commissioner is especially challenging because of the number of issues we have to deal with," she said.

"I'd like to serve for a few more years before I retire. I feel very strongly that you shouldn't make one political position a career."

A graduate of Altoona Area High School, she holds an associate degree and a bachelor's degree form Penn State.

She has two sons, Brad Clapper, 38, and Robert Clapper, 24, and two grandchildren.

Community Service Volunteer

Recognition of a lifetime of Girl Scouting has made Teresa M. Lang of Altoona a winner.

" I didn't think I was worthy of it (the award)," Lang, 78, said, but she does appreciate it.

Involved with the Girl Scouts since she was 12, Lang was in Scouting for six years before, at age 18, she became an assistant leader, then a leader when she turned 21.

She stayed a leader with a troop, which was started at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Altoona, until this year. She is now a co-leader.

"We do activities, take the girls places, do things, work on badges. Two weeks ago we went to Hershey," she said.

She said she has worked with Scouts in all levels - Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadet, Senior and Ambas-sador for more than 60 years. She is very active in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Catholic Commit-tee on Scouting and is one of its founding members.

Claudia Reed, a fellow Girl Scout leader, said, "She is one fine lady who always goes above and beyond the call of duty for any tasks she is given or actively volunteers for."

"She is most proud of earning the Girl Scout Thanks Badge, the highest volunteer badge and For God & Youth, the highest National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry award; of having three girls who are in scouting to this day; and of getting Girl Scouting started in St. Mary's in 1943," according to information released by WISE Women.

A 1949 graduate of Altoona High School, she and her husband, Walter, have four children: Terry Carnicella, 52; Anita Wavrek, 48; Monica Maus, 42; Walter Jr. 50; and two grandsons.

Rising Star

Sarah A. Averill, 19, of Altoona, is already making a difference in other people's lives.

Averill was nominated by Flo Shuss, who, like Averill, attends St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Altoona.

Shuss describes Averill as "a remarkable young lady who works quietly and with great purpose behind the scenes. She is modest, gracious and kind hearted."

"I think it's great. I really feel honored, and I'm really humbled by it," Averill said.

She has been an active member of the Girl Scouts for more than eight years, and she initiated a recycling program at her school.

She also volunteered for the Outdoor Odyssey program at school as a mentor for at-risk girls. She developed and maintains a relationship with a local student, encouraging her to stay on-track with her schooling and social values in order to achieve her goals.

"I really like working with students," she said, adding she enjoys "making my mark as a leader and leaving something behind."

A 2008 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School, Averill received a Distinguished Graduate Award from the Pennsyl-vania State Senate and is enrolled at the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Fall, Mass.

She is pursuing a certification as a professional photographer and plans to open a photography business.