Stephanie Gorham was recognized as one of the top 20 leaders under the age of 40 in Wichita Falls, Texas today by the Wichita Falls Times Record News newspaper.
Gorham, whose official job title is director of development at Child Advocates, has contributed more to the North Texas community in her short 33-year life than many people do in a lifetime.
One of her most immediate activities is involvement this Saturday in the University Kiwanis Club Pancake Festival which raises funds for children's charities. Usually about 10,000 people purchase tickets and file through the pancake lines over a 12-hour period. All the money raised goes to the children.
In addition to her helping children through her volunteer work with the University Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls, Texas, she has also served her community as a board member for the North Texas Area United Way, the YMCA, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of North Texas, Young Professionals of Wichita Falls, Alcoa Foundation, Partners in Education and Leadership Wichita Falls.
She says her husband Midwestern State University professor Jim Gorham has been a constant source of inspiration to her. Her husband also serves his country as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve when he is not busy sharing interesting lectures with his students at MSU.
Not only has Ms. Gorham been a leader in the community, she has also served as a role model for their children as well. Their four children Sally, Lilly, Greyson and Kaitlyn have been recruited into Stephanie's and Jim's volunteer activities.
The entire family has been involved in helping Faith Mission, United Way, Better Business Bureau and the annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival this Saturday.
Stephanie has previously said, "Yes, we have four children and I've enjoyed every insane moment of it."
Times Record News publisher Dwayne Bivona said of Gorham and the other 19 selected by the newspaper's judges, "Our judges certainly got it right with this group. They chose high-quality individuals from a representative cross-section of the organizations, businesses and industries that make this area tick."
The publisher further said in today's edition of his paper (Jan. 23, 2012) that,"I'd like to thank our judges Teresa Caves, Dorothy Roberts-Burns, Dr. Terry Patton and Tony Fidelie for their time and hard work while deliberating this year's winners and to offer my congratulations to this year's class."
Bivona also said, "Our future truly looks bright thanks to this group of emerging community leaders."
Any readers wanting to know how a mother with four children can achieve all the community service which Stephanie Gorham has accomplished should check with her.
She has truly become a pillar of the community at an early age.
For several years the newspaper has collaborated with Midwestern State University and the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation to recognize the top 20 emerging leaders in Wichita Falls under the age of 40. This is a worthwhile project which has become an annual tradition of great value to the city.
It will be interesting to look back in a few years at the accomplishments of Stephanie Gorham and the others so honored this year.
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