Local Foundation, Student Recognized with MLK Community Service Awards

By Mike Greife, January 15, 2016

PHOTO: Hank and Marilyn Hamann, on behalf of the Todd Hamann Memorial Foundation, right, and Daphanie Parks, center, received the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards during the monthly Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Jan. 13. Presenting the awards on behalf of UCM and the Chamber of Commerce was Tara Napoleone-Clifford, left, IDEAS coordinator for the UCM Office of Mentoring, Advocacy and Peer Support.

WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri and the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the Todd Hamann Memorial Foundation and Chilhowee High School Senior Daphanie Parks with the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Services Awards at the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 13.

The Todd Hamann Memorial Foundation received the Community Service Award. Receiving the award on behalf of the foundation were Hank and Marilyn Hamann, Warrensburg. Parks received the Student Community Service Award, which was presented for the first time this year to a Johnson County high school student.

The awards are presented jointly by UCM and the Chamber as part of UCM’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

The Todd Hamann Memorial Foundation was recognized for the contributions made to the community through financial support of the Early Childhood Hunger Operation, Tiger Bags, and renovation of Lions Lake and construction of the Todd Hamann Trail. Founded by the Hamann family following the sudden death of their son and brother in 2009, the foundation hosts the annual Todd Hamann Memorial Golf Tournament to raise funds for the foundation, which in turn are returned to the community in memory Todd through support of initiatives that support the community at large.

Parks was recognized for her contributions to her school and the surrounding community through her participation in a variety of activities. She volunteers as a third grade math tutor and serves as editor of the yearbook at Chilhowee High School. She also is a member of the Chilhowee High School volleyball and basketball teams, the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Scholar Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, Book Club, and the Student Ambassadors.

She participated in the National Recitation Contest “Poetry Out Loud,” and is a 2014 KMZU Academic Achievement Award recipient and a West Central Electric essay second place winner, representing Johnson County in Washington, D.C., during summer 2015. She also volunteers with the Johnson County Teachers Warehouse, community blood drive, and has been selected as a student volunteer at the polls in Johnson County elections.