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 our annual Leader Luncheon. We mail over 350 nomination forms to various organizations, businesses, civic leaders, and every school district throughout McKean County, asking them to help us identify women whose community service, professional and/or academic successes exhibit their extraordinary leadership or potential thereof. In 2006, the YWCA added an additional award to specifically include young women, between the ages of 16 and 25, now identified as the Rising Leaders.
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, PA and is a product of the Bradford Area School District. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Manning. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Following her undergraduate studies, Carla moved to Sausalito, CA and worked in foreign currency for Bank of America and later as an assistant manager for Insignia Management Group. From there she moved to the Chicago suburbs where she taught 6th grade reading, language arts, and social studies in the Northbrook School District. She also attended National Louis University in Evanston, Illinois and took classes in their writing specialist program. While living in the Chicago area, Carla married her husband Dan and was blessed with their first child, Bryn. Wanting to move closer to family, they moved to Pittsburgh, PA where their family began to grow with the birth of two sons, Danny and Peyton. One last move brought them back to Bradford, PA, where their third son, Owen, was born. They 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.
Carla has been actively involved in her community as a member of St. Bernard’s 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, holding positions of assistant secretary and treasurer at different times, and serving on the Negotiations Committee, the Bradford Athletic Advisory Council, and the Engineering Technologies Advisory Committee. 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 Dan 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. In her spare time, Carla enjoys photography, baking, and skiing, but her greatest source of joy is spending time with her family and watching her children participate in their athletic and academic events. Carla’s daughter, Bryn Manion, 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.
Regan 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 3 years.
Regan has shown incredible persistence and commitment through her academic achievement and involvement with athletics. Academically, she has maintained a high GPA, achieving Honor Roll of Distinction status every marking period since entering high school, and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. Regan’s athletic accomplishments are numerous and significant. Regan 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, Regan 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.
As one of Regan’s teachers stated, “Whether in a classroom or in the community, one would be hard pressed to find an individual who displays the passion for people and enthusiasm for making a difference such as Regan. Her future is bright. I look forward to watching this young lady continue to grow and attain her potential. ”
Mackenzie Wilcox, a Rising Leader Honoree, of Duke Center, is a senior at Otto-Eldred Jr./Sr High School. She plans are to attend Misericordia University, majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine and then continue to medical school to become a pediatric physician. Mackenzie is the daughter of Corey and Teresa Wilcox.
Throughout her high school career, Mackenzie has excelled academically, while volunteering her time to assist with community events and participating in several school activities. Mackenzie 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. Mackenzie 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. Mackenzie is described as being an inspiration to her classmates, family and community members, with her ability to remain at the top of her class academically, while participating in numerous activities and services.
“The process of choosing our leaders each year is an agonizing one, as we are surrounded by so many high-caliber, influential women. We are fortunate to live in a community where this continues to be an issue. We appreciate everything Carla has done and the leadership she displays, especially in our schools. Additionally, we are excited to have young women like Regan and Mackenzie who are leading the charge for their generation.” – YWCA Bradford Board of Directors
Leader Luncheon also provides community members the opportunity to celebrate a special woman in their life through our 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 March 11th.
The Luncheon honoring the recipients will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Tickets 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, please call 814-368-4235 or email angelae@ywcabradford.org.