CASO, Come AlongSide Others, is a community based nonprofit organization that supports children impacted by abuse and/or neglect and their families, both biological and foster/adoptive/guardianship. Jolene’s nominator, a foster family, expressed immense gratitude for everything Jolene is doing to support families. They had just gotten a call that they were getting a foster child but had no toy or clothes that would be a good fit. After contacting Jolene, they were able to go to CASO and pick out clothes and toys for the child. “Jolene was so helpful and awesome through this whole process! She pours her heart and soul into this nonprofit organization and does this all on her free time without pay! She’s an amazing lady. I’m so thankful that she was there to help our family in this time and I know she helps many other families too!”
A frequent customer stopping into Homesteaders once or twice a week, Barb’s nominator has gotten to know her over the years and is always impressed by her ambition. She is always eager to jump in and help out, no matter what job needs to be handled, even if it’s out of her usual duties. They were also impressed by her pleasant demeanor and even referred to her as a “human marvel.”
With two daughters getting married this summer, Marina’s nominator and their family visited many bridal stores in Bismarck and Minot looking for the perfect apparel for the perfect day. “Marina was the most helpful and patient salesperson we came across. We felt like she had all the time in the world for us, and she was focused on my daughters.” When the youngest daughter had a quick turnaround and needed a dress off the rack, Marina was able to get them in for an appointment the same day, and since she’d gotten to know her customers so well, she included a dress to try on that ended up being the one. “It was the best demonstration of customer service I have seen in a very long time. Even though we have two wedding dresses now, I will miss seeing her and her bubbly personality. Knowing her now, I wouldn’t have gone to anyone else to buy a dress. She gets to know her customers and their likes and dislikes. She is an amazing young lady and is truly appreciated by us.”
When they needed help with a garage door opener, Elaine’s nominator was relieved to have such a helpful person to speak with on the phone. The process of troubleshooting a garage door, something that’s not often serviced or replaced, can be daunting, but Elaine’s nominator applauded her continued patience with them both on the phone and in person. “She explained and didn't make us feel foolish. Thanks Elaine!”
It was a Saturday at closing time, but Benjamin’s nominator needed to stop in because their mother hit a button in her brand-new vehicle and couldn’t figure out how to get the radio working properly. Benjamin was on the case, and he sat in the passenger seat of the car beside his nominator’s mother and walked her through the entire infotainment system, “graciously giving his time when he could have turned us away. My parents were so grateful to have a working radio again.”
Lexi has gone above and beyond in supporting flower fundraisers for her nominator’s booster club. Both times that they’ve worked with Lexi, they’ve been impressed by her work ethic and generosity, even expressing that she “is the example of a small business that cares about her community.” Awesome work, Lexi!
When Liz’s nominator had family visiting from out of state, the Scandinavian Hertiage Park was a must-see stop! Liz was not only encouraging but went “over and above” to find a volunteer to give them a tour of the Gol Stave Church Museum. “The volunteer Joan Varberg was awesome as well. All of us really appreciated being able to see and know the history.” Great way to show the Magic in Minot, Liz!
Mitchell’s nominator has been incredibly appreciative of his attention to detail, reliability, and overall helpful attitude each time that he has worked with their company, and they are grateful that Schock’s Safe & Lock has him on the team. “He’s done an excellent job organizing our file, staying on top of updates, and adjusting to changes quickly. He communicates clearly, is friendly, and always thinks a step ahead to make sure the system works for us now and in the future.”
Chris’s nominator recently worked with him on a claim when a client’s house caught fire due to the fault of another person. Chris was on the scene in less than 24 hours to check on the client. He also went above and beyond to help the client get a hotel, catch their cats, and move to and from the house. Not only that, but when the client was struck by a sudden medical emergency, Chris was there to help. “If it was not for Chris that day, I do not think she would be with us today. He has stepped up as a great human in all aspects of life, helping support others in a time of need. If it was not for all the help I have gotten from Chris and her caregivers, I would not have been able to ensure her safety and well-being. There was no way I could have taken care of her without all the help. You are one of the most selfless and amazing humans I have ever met!”
Teachers are always searching for new opportunities for their students, and when it came to a Business Finance class, Lucas’s nominator thought that a field trip to Scheels of Minot might be a good fit. After reaching out and speaking with Lucas, his nominator was blown away by Lucas’s ambition to help out. "To prepare for our visit, he emailed me multiple times to get my feedback on his plan for the day and actually asked to see our textbook so he could organize an activity that matched what we were studying. Lucas set up a tour of the store, set up a marketing challenge for my students to participate in using the store’s inventory, posted pictures of the activity on their social media sites, and rewarded the winning team with a very nice prize. Lucas was very welcoming, organized, and excited to teach the students about how a retail business like Scheels operates. He did a great job representing his business.”
When Taylor’s nominator was searching for a specific cord for their boat with little luck, Taylor was on the case! Eventually he was able to find the exact cord that was necessary, but in order to do so he made a phone call to the boat company and even checked multiple pallets while searching for the part. “The customer service he displayed was appreciated! He helped me order the correct part and when it arrived it was exactly what I needed! Thank you, Taylor!”
According to Lisa’s students, she’s “the best teacher in the whole wide world.” At the end of the year, the child of Lisa’s nominator agreed and thought that she deserved an award for her hard work. Not only did she teach her students a lot, but her nominator also stated that their child “loves the way Ms. Burckhard challenged him this year.” Great work, Lisa!
It was the last cold snap of the spring, and Brian’s nominator was stuck in a devastating situation as a pipe burst, leaving inches of water pooled in their home that had just been put on the market. Their first plan of action was to call Xcel Energy to disconnect the power, which was when Brian and his team arrived promptly to help, showing compassion and being “very well mannered” with the situation. “After doing what they needed to, they stayed and talked a few minutes. Brian wanted to ensure that we might want to look in our fridge because water might have gotten in it. So glad he did because we would have overlooked that completely. Brian and his team’s kindness was so appreciated that day and left me feeling like it might not be that bad.”
“Kaylin has taken her work above and beyond her client. She has helped in so many ways of doing the client’s laundry at her own house while waiting on new appliances after a house fire. Kaylin also has saved her client’s life by just going by on her day off to see if they took their medications for the day. That day her client needed medical attention. Kaylin has shown what a kind heart she has and how selfless she is. It is not an easy job to be a caregiver and she shows every day that she cares as if her clients are her own family. If it was not for Kaylin I would not be able to have taken care of our shared client the way she should be taken care of every day. It shows that it takes a village to care for anyone regardless of age.”
Since she graduated from high school, Rhonda has been a waitress, and her nominator wanted to make sure she was recognized for her consistent fantastic service, on-time record, and positive attitude. They also noted her great personality as she’s close with her coworkers and customers. “She loves her job and people love the vim, vigor, and vitality she displays while waiting on tables.”
The smell of smoke is something that nobody wants to notice, especially when in school. When the cause of the smoke wasn’t apparent, Shawn and Richard worked diligently to find the source and help quell everyone’s anxiety. “It happened to be a heating lamp in the pheasant pen that had fallen and started the wood pellets smoldering. No one was in danger and the incident was contained, but it could have been an incident.” Nice work helping the students, staff, and faculty at John Hoeven Elementary School, Richard!
“After a long week at work and looking for something to celebrate a few of my employees, I decided to grab some coffee and breakfast and Meg-A-Latte for them. Catherine brightened my morning with her positivity and great attitude. This was all at 6:00 a.m. Her attitude definitely changed my outlook on the day ahead.”
Jaden’s nominator is consistently impressed by his willingness to go above and beyond for others. “Every time this young man brings a patient into our office, he walks them in, helps them check in, and is always so kind to his patient and to our staff. I have seen him even wait in the waiting room with his patient because they wanted company.” Thank you for everything you do for those in your care, Jaden!
The smell of smoke is something that nobody wants to notice, especially when in school. When the cause of the smoke wasn’t apparent, Shawn and Richard worked diligently to find the source and help quell everyone’s anxiety. “It happened to be a heating lamp in the pheasant pen that had fallen and started the wood pellets smoldering. No one was in danger and the incident was contained, but it could have been an incident.” Way to focus on the safety of the students, staff, and faculty at John Hoeven Elementary School, Shawn!
"Dr. Nico kindly and succinctly shares his gift of neurological expertise to clarify as well as reassure. He provided consultation on my beloved daughter’s health condition and diagnosis. He recommends treatments for the benefit of lifestyle approaches to live with the diagnosis. His expertise is very valuable and reassuring, as my daughter’s life has been interrupted with a chronic condition.”
Renee’s nominator was blown away by her customer service and attitude. “She was attentive, efficient, and even offered us ‘to-go’ refills of our soda and coffee. Not only was she a great server, she was working hard clearing and wiping down tables as they opened up in order to get the next group seated. However, what really stood out about Renee was the kindness and compassion she demonstrated to an elderly customer at a nearby table. When his party was called to be seated, she escorted him to the table. She is a true example of customer service and going above and beyond!
Kali's nominator was blown away by her commitment, dedication, and positive impact as a coach of the Ramstad sixth-grade girls’ track team. She “not only demonstrated exceptional coaching skills but also served as a powerful role model for the young athletes under her guidance.” They continued to commend that Kali “consistently went above and beyond to support, encourage, and inspire the team. The unwavering commitment to fostering a positive environment has helped the girls grow both athletically and personally. Ilyana’s infectious enthusiasm and ability to make every moment fun and engaging has created memorable and rewarding experiences for all involved. As a parent, I have witnessed firsthand the impact she has had on the girls on the team, instilling values of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It is clear that she is not just a coach, but a mentor that has touched the lives of these young athletes in a meaningful way. I am confident that Kali will continue to inspire and empower those around them, leaving a lasting legacy of positivity and growth. She is truly an exceptional individual who embodies the best qualities of leadership and mentorship. Her impact as a coach extends far beyond the track, shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation.”
Melissa’s nominator raved about her welcoming demeanor and was incredibly grateful for how she treats the students at Rebel Athletics of Minot, ensuring that they’re learning in a safe and fun environment. “My daughter comes home excited about what she has learned. She is one of the best! She makes sure all the kids are with coaches that want to see their potential and help them achieve that.” Great work, Melissa!
“Lisa showed incredible customer service by reaching out to me personally when she heard that we’d been having issues with our Wi-Fi. She contacted me immediately and set up an appointment to have someone come out and try to fix the problems within a few days. I am blown away at her willingness to do what she can to better an experience for local clients.”
“After a long week at work and looking for something to celebrate a few of my employees, I decided to grab some coffee and breakfast and Meg-A-Latte for them. Lorelei brightened my morning with her positivity and great attitude. This was all at 6:00 a.m. Her attitude definitely changed my outlook on the day ahead.”
When the Magic City Dance Company’s competitive team doubled in size, Katie, Brittany, and Tessa helped make the transition as easy as possible for new dancers and those returning while exemplifying amazing day to day customer service. “They continually tried to smooth bumps in the road before they happened while maintaining their award-winning competitive team and providing an excellent recreational program. MCDC is lucky to have these three owners.”
Ilyana’s nominator was blown away by her commitment, dedication, and positive impact as a coach of the Ramstad sixth-grade girls’ track team. She “not only demonstrated exceptional coaching skills but also served as a powerful role model for the young athletes under her guidance.” They continued to commend that Ilyana “consistently went above and beyond to support, encourage, and inspire the team. The unwavering commitment to fostering a positive environment has helped the girls grow both athletically and personally. Ilyana’s infectious enthusiasm and ability to make every moment fun and engaging has created memorable and rewarding experiences for all involved. As a parent, I have witnessed firsthand the impact she has had on the girls on the team, instilling values of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It is clear that she is not just a coach, but a mentor that has touched the lives of these young athletes in a meaningful way. I am confident that Ilyana will continue to inspire and empower those around them, leaving a lasting legacy of positivity and growth. She is truly an exceptional individual who embodies the best qualities of leadership and mentorship. Her impact as a coach extends far beyond the track, shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation.”
"I have been seeing Kayla for physical therapy now for 7 weeks because I had surgery on my foot. She has been very kind and informative at every visit! She is a great listener. Kayla also has helped me make good progress in my recovery, she finds the exercises that work best for me. Last week specifically, she helped with a personal issue I was having. I felt bad that I was taking time to ask for her help (that didn’t pertain to my foot), but she made me feel comfortable. Kayla deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond!”
"Mrs. Helstedt is someone who truly goes above and beyond as a teacher. My daughter is in her class and when she found out that she was having a lemonade stand over the weekend, she didn’t hesitate in saying she would be there. Mrs. Helstedt showed up on her day off to make a purchase and support a student entrepreneur. She brought along her change for a quick math lesson! We have many great teachers in our community, Mrs. Helstedt is one that really cares about all her students, and this is just one example of how much she loves and supports them. Thank you for all you do!”
