Tami M. Hinish of Hollidaysburg is an event and conference planner with Penn State University and the co-founder/director of the Zack Hinish Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to making the lives of children — especially those with physical or cognitive disabilities — as complete and fulfilling as possible.

Hinish, whose young sons, Zack and Conner, both died of complications from the same neurological disorder, led the foundation’s efforts in 2011 to raise more than $200,000 in donations to upgrade the all-abilities playground at the C.W. Longer Elementary School, Hollidaysburg.

Hinish also started the foundation’s Conner’s Camera program that provides no-cost professional family photos to families with children who have disabilities.

Amy Van Kluenen, who nominated Hinish for the WISE Woman honor, also praised Hinish for her leadership of The Penguin Project offered by the Altoona Community Theatre. The project pairs children with disabilities, referred to as artists, with children of similar ages, referred to as mentors, who work together to produce a musical. The first was “Annie Jr.” presented in the fall 2023.

“Under Tami’s leadership, the program has gone from nine artists to around 20 artists in only three years,” Van Kluenen said.

Hinish, in responding to the WISE Women questionnaire, said the organization’s mission of empowering women and fostering inclusion is a daily practice for her.

“True inclusion begins when we look past a diagnosis or a label to see the individual for who they truly are,” she wrote. “As a mother of children with disabilities, my advocacy is born from a simple, fundamental belief: everyone deserves to be seen and loved for exactly who they are.”

Lisa Surkovich of Hollidaysburg is an assistant professor of literacy education at Penn State Altoona, where collegians have the opportunity to benefit from her four decades of boots-on-the-ground experience as a classroom teacher and reading specialist.

In 2015, she was recognized as Hollidaysburg Area School District’s Teacher of the Year and in 2021, she was named Blair County Teacher of the Year.

Nominators described Surkovich’s journey in education as a testament to the power of persistence, kindness and the belief that every individual has a unique potential waiting to be unlocked. They also described her as someone who never stopped learning and praised her for earning a doctorate in curriculum and instruction when she was 57 years old, proving that the pursuit of excellence has no expiration date.

Outside the classroom, Surkovich is recognized as a gifted musician who shares her voice and talent as a church cantor, the director of St. Michael the Archangel contemporary choir and as a musician for the Penn State Altoona Chapel.

In response to the WISE Women questionnaire, Surkovich said she believes women are each other’s greatest allies and that the strength of a community lies in how well it supports and includes every member.

“My women friends support me, encourage me and accept me just as I am, warts and all,” Surkovich wrote. “All women have special gifts and no one — no woman, man or child — should be discriminated against or excluded.”

Zhorea J.I. McAnuff of Altoona, an admissions counselor at Juniata College, is an emerging leader committed to advancing health equity and strengthening support systems for families in Blair County.

She recently served as an AmeriCorps member with the UPMC Altoona Family Medicine Residency Program, where she played an instrumental role in addressing health-related issues affecting under-resourced residents.

In her AmeriCorps role, McAnuff supported efforts to expand partnerships addressing food insecurities and childhood lead exposure.

“Her efforts extended to educating healthcare providers and community-based organizations about lead mitigation strategies, ensuring that both families and professionals were equipped to respond effectively … thereby reducing the risk of lead exposure for vulnerable children and their families,” said Lynn Rodgers, who nominated McAnuff for the WISE Woman honor.

McAnuff’s commitment to service extends throughout the community, as a member of the Blair County NAACP chapter and as a volunteer for Blair County African American Heritage Festival. She also initiated Altoona’s first Glow Walk in 2025, raising funds to support teen and family shelters offered by Family Services Inc.

McAnuff said she maintains her motivation by applying the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which she learned about while studying for her master’s degree in organizational leadership.

“This philosophy reminds me to continuously improve, even if it is by 1%, because small consistent actions yield long-term growth,” she said.

Emma Peterman, 21, Altoona, is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Penn State Altoona, with graduation anticipated in May 2027.

In addition to her classes, she works part time in the campus Student Affairs Office and serves as a patient care technician at UPMC Altoona Hospital.

“As a patient care technician at UPMC Altoona, she provides compassionate support to patients and families, demonstrating maturity and empathy well beyond her years,” Dr. Tracy L. Kephart, assistant teaching professor of nursing, stated in Peterman’s nomination.

Peterman also makes time for a variety of on-campus activities. In February, she represented Penn State Altoona as a dancer at THON, the university’s student-run dance marathon to raise money for research and awareness of childhood cancer.

In December 2024, she became president of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania — Altoona Chapter, an organization that fosters community among nursing students and organizes campus and community events, including blood drives and fundraisers.

Beyond campus, Peterman volunteers at the Healing Patch, a center providing grief support for children and families. While that program rarely accepts volunteers under 21, coordinator and grief specialist Shalen Steinbugl said Peterman was admitted after proving to be an exceptional candidate.

Kephart said Peterman’s character shines in all of her endeavors.

“She represents the very best of Blair County’s rising generation of women leaders,” the nominator said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.

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