Norgard selected as 'Young Professional of the Year'
The award was presented during the 2023 CYN Summit.
(Brian Kreikemeier, B&B Video Productions)
KEARNEY -- Connecting Young Nebraskans recently recognized Sidney's Melissa Norgard as the Young Professional of the Year.
The nomination was made by Sarah Sinnett.
"I saw that Connecting Young Nebraskans was looking for nominations across the state for incredible individuals, and the person that came to my mind immediately was Melissa Norgard. Melissa owns her own business, which is enough of an involvement in and of itself, but then she also has two young kids but she volunteers her time selflessly across the community more than anyone I know," Sinnett said.
Sinnett says Norgard is actively involved in numerous boards and projects including helping the City of Sidney write grants, and serving on the Historical Preservation Board, Creative District board, Sidney & Cheyenne County E3 and as president of the SAGA Fund.
"She does this all on her own time without asking for grace or recognition just because she cares about Sidney," Sinnett said.
Sinnett said she submitted Norgard's name for all of the awards. She was selected
for Young Professional of the Year, the biggest award in the association.
Norgard said the theme of this year's annual conference is "Why Not?" The conference was focused on entrepreneurship and encouraging young people to think why not get involved in the community, why not take a chance on a business idea.
"So, I knew that there was a group of people in town who had been so kind to nominate me for an award through Connecting Young Nebraskans, but they did not tell me which award I was receiving. [I'm] super humbled to be able to say that I was selected as the Young Nebraska Professional of the Year. I certainly don't get involved in boards and committee
s for the recognition. I do it because I'm very passionate about the community and I want to keep pushing forward and have Sidney be the greatest it can be," she said.
