Bill Newton

Bill Newton is the Dr. Bob Community Member of Character Award Winner for the fourth quarter. The character traits for the fourth quarter are: Perseverance, Self-Control and Courage.

Newton is dedicated when it comes to the kids of the Independence School District. Bill volunteers for Youth Friends at Nowlin Middle School and Fairmount Elementary School, and gives over 40 to 50 hours per month mentoring students. He has persevered through caring for an ailing wife, and after her passing, Bill chose to use his time to volunteer and be a positive role model. According to those who work with Bill, he always has a smile on his face and no matter what the situation is he practices courage, patience, perseverance and self-control.

Charles Miller Jr.

Charles Miller Jr., a William Chrisman graduate, is named the "Dr. Bob Community Member of Character Winner” for the third quarter.

Miller was selected as an outstanding community member for the time and dedication to character building he provides for an Independence Boy Scout troop.

Miller is the Scoutmaster for Troop 203 and has worked with the troop for the past 20 years.

His motto is to give the community's youth the tools to be productive citizens.

Diane Johnson-Bennett who nominated Miller said, "even though his son made his Eagle Scout over 10 years ago, he still gives his time to this organization. He instills the importance of honor, respect, how to be cooperative with others to take the initiative to lead when their needs to be a leader. "

Chuck is an Engineer Manager for Tooling at Calmar Industries. His job requires a lot of traveling, but he still makes the time to work with boy scouts.

For the past 20 years he has also taught at Metropolitan Community College in the evenings.

Diane Johnson-Bennett said, "Over the last five years I have seen Chuck take young men under his wing to guide them in the direction to finish their Eagle, continue their education or find the right fit in the work world."

Miller is a 1978 graduate of William Chrisman High School and both of his children also graduated from Chrisman.

Diane Johnson-Bennett said Miller did not know he was nominated.

"He does not do this for recognition but truly for the youth of an area where several boys in the troop only have a mom, he has put together a crew of leaders that give these young men a well rounded male leadership and mentors," explained Johnson-Bennett

The character traits highlighted in this quarter are respect, cooperation and initiative.

Norma Tibbets

Norma Tibbetts is the Dr. Bob Community Member of Character Award Winner for the second quarter. Norma is compassionate when it comes to the kids of the Independence School District. Norma and her group of volunteers work tirelessly to make sure students in need have new shoes, clothes, coats, and underwear. The clothes are provided through Tabitha's Closet at the First Christian Church. She's there sometimes with just a smile or hug for the parent letting them know that there are people in Independence who are there for them and care. Norma is the type of person who would say "it takes a village to clothe a child" but without her determination and compassion Tabitha's closet would not be available.

Lisa Temple-Young

Lisa Temple-Young is full of ambition! She deserves recognition for realizing ambitious dreams for our community. When doctors told her years ago that she had months left to live...first she beat cancer then she chose to devote her life to our community. She is a passionate full-time volunteer serving the Independence community through her leadership, officially with Van Horn LINC Caring Communities and the Sugar Creek Optimists, and additionally with anyone she encounters who has a need. Serving as Van Horn Caring Communities LINC Site Council Chair for over a decade, she has not only made her dreams for the community come true, she's helped others realize their own ambitions. Her leadership and involvement with that Site Council brought about many great things including the Fairmount Community Center and North West Development Corporation. Her ambition guided her to take the lead in developing many other initiatives. She founded a 501c3 to create the Kids 4 Cure Cancer Walk. She spearheaded the Green Thumb Club Community Garden. She runs the Van Horn Community Food Pantry organizing food drives, holiday baskets, food deliveries, and more. She is always sharing her ambition by teaching in her community. She is currently teaching life skills to a group of young adult women weekly at Van Horn High School. She has devoted her life to the betterment of the people of Independence, and she will continue to share her ambitions for the rest of her life.