YWCA honors 2025 Women and Young Ladies of Excellence

Williamsport, Pa. — Nearly 700 people filled the Community Arts Center on Wednesday night for the YWCA Northcentral PA’s Women of Excellence Awards.

Now in its 17th year, the event honored a record 92 nominees across categories recognizing leadership, advocacy, service, and achievement among local women and young ladies.

YWCA Northcentral PA Director of Development Beth McClain opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and thanking sponsors for their continued support.

“I heard from proud husbands, inspired students, and friends who said their nominee changes the atmosphere just by walking into a room,” McClain said.

YWCA CEO Amber Morningstar followed, emphasizing the night’s deeper purpose — honoring women who embody the organization’s mission of empowerment, advocacy, and community transformation.

“Women are powerful not because they have to be perfect,” Morningstar told the crowd, “but because they show up anyway.”

The evening’s keynote speaker, Barbara Hudock, founding partner and CEO of Hudock Capital Group, delivered an address on courage, authenticity, and purpose. Hudock shared how she began as a secretary at Merrill Lynch before rising to lead a billion-dollar financial advisory firm — achieving that milestone in August.

“Excellence doesn’t begin with confidence,” Hudock said. “It begins with showing up — scared, unsure, imperfect — but showing up anyway.”

Hudock, who has spent decades investing in community and arts philanthropy, urged attendees to “age with mischief, audacity, and a great story to tell.”

Young Ladies of Excellence

Advocacy Award — Lillian McCulloch, Montoursville Area High School.
A leader across multiple honor societies and clubs, McCulloch created Montoursville’s first award-winning podcast on teen mental health. She plans to study medicine with the goal of becoming a pediatrician specializing in psychology.

Arts & Culture Award — Mya Lehman, Jersey Shore Area High School.
Lehman has painted murals and community spaces throughout Jersey Shore, from the softball dugout to the local garden shed, while volunteering at the Love Center Food Bank and coaching youth softball.

Education Award — McKylee Vollman, Williamsport Area High School.
A standout leader and educator-in-training, Vollman captains the girls wrestling team, volunteers with Make-A-Wish, and led a district-wide shoe drive to support developing nations. She plans to attend Lycoming College to study special education or history.

Guiding Light Award — Fanny Galagarza, Williamsport Area High School.
A peer mentor and volunteer firefighter, Galagarza helps lead her school’s Hope Squad for suicide prevention. She also volunteers for Juneteenth events and community soup kitchens, honoring her late mother’s legacy of service.

Health & Wellness Award — Kyra Lichtenfels, Williamsport Area High School.
Lichtenfels, a firefighter and Homeland Security Program graduate, promotes mental health and suicide prevention through award-winning public service videos. She plans to pursue medicine at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Junior Rising Star Award — Elizabeth Kirk, Williamsport Area High School.
A tenth grader active in choir, theater, and volunteerism, Kirk has served as a mentor with the Community Theatre League’s Penguin Project and dreams of studying biomedical engineering at RIT to design prosthetics.

Sports Award — Zoe Furman, Montgomery Area High School.
A multi-sport state medalist and captain, Furman has excelled in wrestling, soccer, softball, and track while mentoring younger athletes. She plans to study communications and sports media management while continuing her athletic career.

Between the awards, the audience enjoyed a moving musical performance by Maddy Rose.

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Celebrating Women of Excellence

Following the student honors, the spotlight turned to local women making a lasting difference across Lycoming County.

Advocacy Award — Korrin Gardner.

A U.S. Marine veteran and founder of Lantern Rescue, Gardner has helped rescue more than 2,500 victims of human trafficking. She serves as a special prosecutor for Lycoming County, teaches human trafficking prevention, and has testified before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Arts & Culture Award — Mallory Scoppa Gardner.

The owner and educator behind Moon Shadow Studio, Gardner offers therapeutic art education for all ages, teaches art therapy at Hillman Cancer Center, and partners with school counselors to provide trauma-informed art programs.

Education Award — Amy Bolt.

A health and physical education teacher in the Williamsport Area School District for 24 years, Bolt founded the middle school’s Positivity Club, connects students with community service, and partners with local police on outreach events like “Shop with a Cop.” She estimates she has taught over 10,000 students in her career.

Guiding Light Award — Laura Kriger.

A realtor and executive officer for the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, Kriger volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House, Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Rescue Workers. Her proudest achievement is “raising two kind and loving children who share my passion for service.”

Health & Wellness Award — Elisa Allen.
Wellness director at the Eastern Lycoming YMCA and owner of E360 Fit, Allen leads LIVESTRONG programs for cancer survivors and mindfulness workshops for the community. She’s also a Silver Sneakers instructor and recipient of the 2024 Sun-Gazette Readers’ Choice Award for Best Family Gym.

Rising Star Award — Emily Shover.

Recognized for her leadership and innovation early in her career, Shover is the Hope Chest Coordinator and Church Engagement Specialist at Dwell Orphan Care, and exemplifies the spirit of young women who dedicate their work to meeting community needs. 

Sports Award — Vanessa Slaughter.

A UPMC Williamsport nurse and head coach for local girls’ basketball and travel soccer teams, Slaughter mentors young athletes while pursuing her master’s in nursing leadership. She also serves on the Junior League of Williamsport board and UPMC’s Professional Excellence Council.

‘Every woman deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity’

Morningstar closed the ceremony with a reminder of the YWCA’s ongoing mission. In 2024, the organization provided 54,372 nights of safe shelter, 8,500 nights in Liberty House transitional housing, and served 1,800 individuals through advocacy, education, and support programs.

“Every woman deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity,” Morningstar said. “And tonight, we celebrate those who make that possible for others.”