Each year, the YWCA Bradford recognizes women in McKean County who have demonstrated leadership qualities and made a difference in the lives of others at its annual Leader Luncheon.
The 23rd annual Leader Luncheon will be held at noon Thursday in the Mukaiyama University Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The YWCA Bradford’s 2020 Leadership Awards will recognize Carla Manion, Regan Johnson and Mackenzie Wilcox.
Carla Manion, the Women’s Leader Honoree, was born and raised in Bradford and is a product of the Bradford Area School District. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Manning. Manion attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.
She and her husband Dan have lived here for the last 15 years. She is the owner and president of Appalachian Energy Solutions Inc. and works part time in customer service with Liberty Sales and Distribution.
Manion has been actively involved in her community as a member of St. Bernard Church, where she taught religious education for several years. She has also been an active school board member for the Bradford Area School Board for the last 12 years.
She volunteers in the schools, reading to students and chaperoning field trips, and is involved in the BAHS basketball and baseball booster clubs, as well as the St. Bonaventure Baseball booster club. She and her husband served on the board for the Bradford Little League and established and ran the Joe Manning Memorial Fall Ball Baseball League for a number of years.
Her daughter, Bryn, received the YWCA’s Rising Leader award in 2017.
Regan Johnson, a Rising Leader honoree, is a senior at Bradford Area High School who plans to attend Slippery Rock University in the fall, majoring in communications and integrated marketing. She is the daughter of Lisa Johnson and Sam Johnson of Bradford.
She is described as an encouraging and patient leader, with both her teammates and peers in the classroom. She is currently the student council treasurer after serving as her class treasurer for three years. She has shown incredible persistence and commitment through her academic achievement and involvement with athletics.
Academically, she has maintained a high grade point average, achieving Honor Roll of Distinction status every marking period since entering high school, and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
Johnson’s athletic accomplishments are numerous and significant. She is the first female soccer player in Bradford Area High School’s history to score 100 points, and she also holds many school track and field records. Beyond her high school, she has been recognized as the Most Valuable PIAA District IX Girls Track and Field Athlete and was selected to the 2018 Big 30 All Star Team, the only female chosen from the state of Pennsylvania. She has signed her NCAA National Letter of lntent to participate in Track and Field at Slippery Rock. Her athletic accolades are endless and demonstrate her commitment, focus and drive.
Mackenzie Wilcox, a Rising Leader honoree, of Duke Center, is a senior at Otto-Eldred Jr./Sr. High School. She plans to attend Misericordia University, majoring in biology/pre-medicine and then continue to medical school to become a pediatric physician. Wilcox is the daughter of Corey and Teresa Wilcox.
Throughout her high school career, Wilcox has excelled academically, while volunteering her time to assist with community events and participating in several school activities. She has been a member of the Terrors’ volleyball team, and managed the girls’ basketball and track and field teams. She has also shared her talents through concert band, jazz band, concert choir, show choir and color guard, even serving as captain and holding numerous leadership positions.
Wilcox is a Peer Helper at her school and currently serves as the president of Otto-Eldred’s chapter of National Honor Society. She also volunteers at the Duke Center United Methodist Church during their Vacation Bible School program and is currently working with a team to create a curriculum for this year’s VBS.
“The process of choosing our leaders each year is an agonizing one, as we are surrounded by so many high-caliber, influential women,” said the YWCA Bradford board of directors. “We are fortunate to live in a community where this continues to be an issue.”
The Leader Luncheon also provides community members the opportunity to celebrate a special woman in their life through the annual Honor Board. This may be done in memory or in honor of an outstanding influence. A message and photo, if desired, for the honoree will be on display before and after the luncheon via an electronic presentation. Honor Board forms are available by contacting the YWCA Bradford, and the deadline for submission is Wednesday.
Tickets for the luncheon are $30 per person and all are welcome to attend; however, reservations are required due to limited seating. To make a reservation for the Leader Luncheon, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, call 814-368-4235 or email angelae@ywcabradford.org.
