2011 Ann Schmitter Award Presented to Kristy Penny

Kristy Penny (center) with Events Director Carol Mazzeo (left) and President Chuck Kramer (right)This year’s winner has been a dedicated and loyal member of the WNDA, and represents the epitome of the qualities possessed by Ann Schmitter. She is a fierce competitor that will cheer for her opponents all the way up the ladder as if they were her team members. She knows everyone on the tour and greets them all with a warm smile when she sees them. She goes out of her way to approach new bowlers and those that may have returned after an absence, to welcome them and let them know that if they need information or any help at all, that she is there for them. On Saturdays she will root on her fellow bowlers, even if they are lanes apart, where she will make the effort to walk over to ladies to give them ‘five’ for a great game bowled. On Sundays, nothing changes ... she actually roots for her opponents. She takes the good with the bad. If she is defeated, she chalks up the loss and tells you ‘nice match and good luck in your next game’ with her warm smile. If she wins, she is kind to her opponent and tells them “nice bowling this weekend”. Her intentions are genuine, and other bowlers can feel it. She conducts herself professionally with charm, poise and grace. No matter what the occasion, she wears a contagious heartwarming smile. We strongly believe that others are happier bowling on the tour when she is around. Whether she is on the lanes competing or in the back supporting her comrades, she is someone who adds a special quality of congeniality wherever she goes and offers plenty of encouragement to go around.

In addition to her outstanding sportsmanship, like Ann Schmitter, she is dedicated to serving the WNDA. She served for six years as an Area Representative for Baltimore, and was a significant contributor to the success of the tour during that period of time. For six years she worked with other Board Members to compile goody bags for one of the Baltimore Tour Stops for all of the bowlers on Saturday, the bowlers on Sunday, and then separate gifts for the ladies on the ladders. When the going got tough for other Board members, she would always pitch in and help them with their stops. She continues to sell the ‘Fundraiser Board’ at the tour stops, sometimes even twice in one weekend, raising $125.00 per board for the tour. She always volunteered to help with anything the Board needed or wanted to do for the tour, from assembling welcome packages for new members that bowled in Hagerstown, to contributing to the Chinese Auctions, to selling raffle tickets for gifts donated to the tour.

Her sportsmanship is unwavering ... her warmth and smile unsurpassed ... her contributions to the WNDA far too numerous to mention.

This year’s winner brings all of the qualities of Ann Schmitter and the essence of this award with her to every tour stop. Please join the WNDA membership in congratulating Kristy Penny, this year’s winner of the Ann Schmitter Sportsmanship Award.