A Festive Evening at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm

The Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce gathered at the scenic Wilson’s Orchard & Farm to celebrate the achievements and dedication of community members who continuously strive to make their community a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. Against a backdrop of rustic charm and warm camaraderie, Chamber members, local leaders, and guests enjoyed a memorable evening of time together, recognition, and great food.

Spotlighting Our 2024 Award Winners

Each year, the Chamber proudly presents a series of awards that highlight the achievements of individuals and businesses going above and beyond in service to our community. This year, we were thrilled to have Denny Wulf as Emcee to introduce all the presentors of this yearʼs awards.

Here are this year’s distinguished honorees:

Teacher of the Year: Abigail Schmailzl

Oviatt Elementary chose reading interventionist Abby Schamailzl as Norwalk’s Teacher of the Year in recognition of her 20-plus years of service and exceptional skill in teaching reading. Staff unanimously praised her expertise in tailoring instruction for each student, her generosity in mentoring colleagues, and her caring approach—helping with everything from morning breakfast to afternoon bus rides. She is humble, dedicated, and has impacted hundreds of children in the community by helping them become confident readers. The school and district are proud to see her honored with this award.

Student of the Year: Henry Groos

Henry Groos  has been honored as Student of the Year, exemplifying the highest standards of academic achievement, leadership, and personal character. Ranked first among 235 seniors, Henry maintains a 4.0 unweighted GPA (4.611 weighted), scored a 33 on the ACT, and will graduate with both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science from Des Moines Area Community College. He earned multiple academic awards, including induction into the National Honor Society and the Silver Cord for volunteer service.

Beyond academics, Henry served as the Norwalk School Board’s Student Representative and participated in the Youth Leadership Initiative, gaining recognition for his thoughtful leadership style. Admired for his genuine confidence, he is known to ask insightful questions and seek clarity during board meetings—qualities praised by both Assistant Principal Marla Frantum and fellow board members. His family, including parents Christopher and Jennifer and sister Hannah, share in the pride of his accomplishments.

Chamber Business of the Year:   Middlebrook Mercantile

Middlebrook Mercantile has been honored as this year’s Middlebrook Mercantile has been honored as this year’s Chamber Business of the Year  for its commitment to creating community. By hosting events like the Chamber’s monthly Women’s Collective, providing morning coffee and evening drinks, and offering live music and activities, “The Merc” has become a beloved gathering place akin to the show Cheers “because sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.” Their willingness to collaborate with local businesses, support local artists, and create a vibrant space for the community demonstrates how they consistently go above and beyond and have fostered an environment where relationships, laughter, and memories flourish, making the Middlebrook Mercantile a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Chamber Member of the Year: Chad Stevens

We are thrilled to recognize Chad Stevens as our Chamber Member of the Year. Chad has been the heart and soul of our Chamber’s annual golf outing for 25 years, serving as committee chair the entire time. His dedication and genuine enthusiasm have turned this event into a memorable experience year after year. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment, hard work, and the positive energy he brings to each and every outing. Thank you, Chad, for a quarter century of making our golf event such a success!

Citizen of the Year: Robin Leaper

It was apparent at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for the City State Bank Norwalk Fieldhouse that Robin Leaper’s recognition as Citizen of the Year  is a true testament to her leadership and the profound respect she has earned from her team and the entire community. As the Director of Parks and Recreation, Robin has not only overseen the department’s growth but also guided her team through the successful integration and promotion of new facilities like the City State Bank Norwalk Fieldhouse.

This accomplishment was no small task. It required immense understanding, coordination, and vision. Under her leadership since 2018, the Parks and Rec Department has become a cornerstone of support for Norwalk and the surrounding areas, offering extensive programs and activities that enrich the lives of residents. From creating opportunities for families to connect and thrive to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement, the department’s work is foundational to enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

Robin’s ability to bring people together, inspire her team, and deliver results that directly benefit the community underscores why she is so deserving of the Citizen of the Year honor. Her impact reaches far beyond the department, (just one example, participating and supporting Jean at the library by being at the Scribbles walk) fostering a sense of unity and pride that strengthens the very fabric of our community.

Community Footprint Award: Kate Baldwin

The Community Footprint Award, created in 2018, honors individuals whose long-term contributions and leadership have left a lasting mark on the Norwalk area. This year’s recipient is Kate Baldwin, recognized for her two decades in Norwalk school finance and her visionary approach to the district’s growth.

Kate’s leadership and financial expertise helped shape major community projects, including new schools, facility expansions, and renovations such as the Norwalk Performing Arts Center, the Physical Education and Competition Center, Warrior Stadium, and the shared Public Works facility. She also oversaw renovations at several elementary, middle, and high school buildings. These improvements not only benefited students and staff but also strengthened the broader community.

Retired in 2022, Kate soon ran for and won a seat on the school board, continuing her dedication to Norwalk. Colleagues and community leaders praise her commitment, passion for education, and willingness to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives. Her substantial “footprint” is evident in the many facilities and programs she helped realize—fittingly marking her as the 2025 Community Footprint Award honoree.

Honoring Outgoing Board Members

In addition to celebrating this year’s award winners, we extended our heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Chamber board members Jon Niemeyer and Tim Stephany, who have devoted their time and expertise to guide the Chamber’s mission. We also recognized our past board chair, Lorie Williamson, for her outstanding leadership and commitment. Their invaluable service continues to shape the Chamber’s vision and growth, and we are grateful for their contributions.

Coming Together in Celebration

The evening’s program included heartfelt speeches from Chamber representatives, local government officials, and past award recipients. Each spoke to the importance of coming together to acknowledge those who pour their time, talents, and hearts into making Norwalk a wonderful place to call home.

Between bites of farm-fresh delicacies, guests shared stories of collaboration and growth. Many discovered new opportunities for partnership, while others solidified long-standing connections. This spirit of unity and shared vision was clear in every corner of Wilson’s Orchard & Farm beautiful venue—a testament to the strength and warmth of our chamber communities.

Looking Forward

As we look ahead to another exciting year, the Chamber extends its deepest thanks to everyone who helped make this banquet a success: Wilsonʼs Orchard & Farm located in Cumming, Iowa hosted the event. Their venue made a beautiful backdrop for the flower arrangements provided by Bellflower Florists & Gifts where Nikki and her team thoughtfully created table centerpieces to match the program theme designed by Aubrey at Midwest Meets Design. To make the evening even more special So Bright Productions provided ambiance lighting that really made the room festive and cozy. We could not have done this event without their incredible production team. The sound was impeccable.

Stay tuned for next year’s nomination period—we’ll continue recognizing and honoring those who lead by example, proving time and again that our communities are special because of our incredible people.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the 2024 award winners and honoring our outgoing board members.

We look forward to seeing how their leadership and accomplishments will inspire all of us in the year to come! If you have questions, feedback, or ideas about how we can continue supporting Norwalk, Cumming, Martensdale, and Prole feel free to reach out to the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce.

A huge thank you to Lucinda Sperry for being our photographer. We invite you to hover over each photo to read the caption.