Latrobe Business and Professional Women’s Club members and guests gathered Saturday for a Spring Tea at St. Bartholomew Parish Marian Hall in Crabtree.
On the agenda for the annual event is the presentation of the club’s Woman of the Year and New Member of the Year.
President Deborah Bowman noted that the Woman of the Year had joined in 2016 and had been active in volunteer activities and special events, instrumental in attracting new members and quick to embrace social media. Suddenly, she became choked up and moved away from the microphone.
Event committee member Tracy Grace stepped in to finish the presentation, noting that Bowman herself was Woman of the Year.
Grace said that Bowman, a Greensburg resident and nurse for Excela Health, promotes the BPW mission within the group and in the community, and has met adversity in her own life with kind words for others and a smile on her face.
The 260 guests seated at themed tables rose to give her a standing ovation.
“I was not expecting this at all,” Bowman said. “I love being president of this club, and everyone who knows me knows this. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this wonderful organization.”
Sophia Roy, the New Member of the Year, has her own impressive resume.
Also a Greensburg resident, Roy is the owner of Doolittle’s Pet Services, offering mobile grooming and in-home training. She volunteers with animal rescue groups and is a musician, playing flute, ukulele and guitar. She joined BPW in June 2020.
“Sophia has accomplished so much in her 22 years,” Bowman said.
In addition to lunch, awards and raffles, the event featured Faerie Grace of New Alexandria, an inspirational speaker who offered a message of achieving goals by using one’s gifts.
Chairwoman for the tea was Lorie Planinsek. Committee members included Jean Calabrace, Jan Poole, Georgia Pavlik, Debbie Franco, Alice Brasili, Karen Laskie, Karen Mowry, Barbara Planinsek, Barbara Baldwin, Theresa Rusbosin and Nicole Purnell.
Seen: Angela Apple, Laura Guskiewicz, Jillian Bowman, Michele Bononi, Joelyn Aukerman, Dena Roy, Deneen Krowicki, Jessica Rafferty, Joyce Novotny-Prettiman, Kim Sauers, Gaynel Brown, Heather McLean, Laurie Hough, Maggie Hildebrand, Sarah Kuchma, Tara Hassler, Tina Pifer, Debbie Bujalski, Gennie Martinelli, Nancy Rusbosin, Judy Adamik, Linda James, Lisa Bossar, Janet Riordan, Karen Mowry, Kathryn Gerhart, Be Smolleck and Nicole Vittone.
