(l to r): Betsy Gardella, President and CEO, NH Public Radio; Katherine Morneau, Law Office of Katherine J. Morneau, PLLC, and Young Professional of the Year; Kate Luczko, President and CEO, Stay Work Play NH. Photo credit: Allegra Boverman Photography

Stay Work Play, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, greeted approximately 600 guests at Fieldhouse Sports in Bow for the seventh annual Rising Stars Awards ceremony Monday, October 3. The event recognized the outstanding young talent and organizations in the Granite State.

The 2016 Rising Stars Awards winners are:

Civic Leader of the Year:

Arnold Mikolo of Manchester and Manchester Immigration Integration Initiative (Welcoming Manchester)

College Student of the Year:

Amelia Keane of Nashua and the University of NH Manchester

People’s Choice for Coolest Companies for Young Professionals:

ReVision Energy of Brentwood

Coolest Companies for Young Professionals:

Appcast of Lebanon and Digital Prospectors of Exeter

Leadership Development Program of the Year:

MY TURN Manufacturing Program, an initiative of MY TURN, Inc.

‘Shire Story of the Year:

David Hutchings of Windham and a Student at the University of NH Manchester

Young Entrepreneur of the Year:

Kat Antonioli of Dover and INHOUSE Worldwide

Young Professional of the Year:

Katherine Morneau of Manchester and the Law Office of Katherine J. Morneau, PLLC.

“We are proud of the accomplishments and dedication shown by this year’s Rising Stars Awards winners. The individuals and organizations honored this year are leaving their footprints in local communities and creating a lasting impact on the Granite State,“ said Kate Luczko, President & CEO of Stay Work Play. “Year after year, our panel of volunteer judges has the ambitious task of selecting the exceptional talent, organizations and programs in New Hampshire to be spotlighted through this event. If we want New Hampshire to reach its potential for future success, we need to continue to engage and invest in our young people.”

The premier event is the only one of its kind in New Hampshire – bringing together young leaders, college students and other professionals from all regions in the state. Announcing the finalists representing many of the state’s leading organizations was the event’s master of ceremonies, Sam Evans-Brown, host of NHPR’s “Outside/In.” Additionally, entrepreneur and inventor, Dean Kamen, closed the program providing the evening’s keynote address.

The Rising Stars Awards are presented in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio and are generously sponsored by: Allegra Boverman Photography, Antioch University New England, AutoFair, Bellwether Community Credit Union, BerryDunn, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Celebrations Catering, Chris Malloy Events, Common Man Roadside, Dan’s Balloons, Dyn, Eastern Bank, Elm Grove Companies, Enterprise Bank, Fidelity Investments, Fieldhouse Sports, Gone Baking, Grappone Automotive Group, GYK Antler, Hermit Woods Winery, Hire Alliance, Hypertherm, Lake Sunapee Bank, Merchants Fleet Management, Mill Falls at the Lake, Mint Printworks, Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA, New England Wire Technologies, NH Charitable Foundation, NH Distributors, NH Institute of Art, NH Print & Mail, NH Public Television, Orr & Reno, People’s United Bank, Rockspring, Sheehan Phinney, Solidscape, Southern NH University, Stacey Brobst Photography, Tamworth Distillery, The Lawson Group, University System of NH, Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Worthern Industries and Yogibo.

More information about The Rising Stars Awards can be found here, by emailing kate@stayworkplay.org or by calling (603) 860-2245.

About Stay Work Play

Stay Work Play is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is “To work collaboratively across New Hampshire to support ongoing economic, workforce, and community development by promoting the state as a favorable place for young workers and recent college graduates to stay, work and play, when considering employment and lifestyle opportunities.” Additional information on the organization can be found on the website, www.stayworkplay.org or by contacting President and CEO, Kate Luczko, kate@stayworkplay.org  or (603) 860-2245.

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