By CHUCK CLEMENT, The Daily Republic
The South Dakota Junior Chamber of Commerce has selected Scott Houwman and Connie Schroeder, both of Mitchell, as two of the state’s 10 outstanding young South Dakota residents for 2003.
The junior chamber honors a group of South Dakotans each year for their dedication in areas including personal improvement, financial success, voluntary service and academic accomplishments.
The organization will honor Houwman and Schroeder during a formal program Nov. 8 at the Sheridan Inn in Sioux Falls.
Houwman, owner of University Physical Therapy in Mitchell, was chosen for professional achievements, legal reform, athletic accomplishment and community service.
University Physical Therapy provides physical, occupational and speech therapy to residents in south-central South Dakota.
In legal reform, Houwman has worked on the passage of a bill called the “any willing provider law,” which appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court. The new law would continue to allow people to choose their health-care providers.
He has supported the Mitchell American Legion baseball team, which won a state championship, and sponsored the Mitchell American Legion teams, which took second place in 2002 and third in 2003.
In the area of community service, Houwman has served on the city Parks and Recreation Committee and currently serves on the board for the Abbott House and endowment committee for Trinity Lutheran Church.
Schroeder, owner of Complete Career Center Inc. in Mitchell, was selected for business and economic innovation, personal improvement or accomplishment and voluntary service.
Schroeder started her staffing agency in 2000 and currently helps place employees with companies throughout the Midwest.
In the area of personal improvement or accomplishment, she received serious injuries after her car was hit by a drunk driver in 1994. Schroeder successfully recovered from injuries that left her in a cast and wheelchair.
As a college student, Schroeder was assaulted on campus.
She later wrote a program on how to avoid assaults and presented it at two state universities and many high schools in South Dakota.
Schroeder’s current efforts at community service include serving as the Mitchell Jaycees president, board president for the Davison/Hanson Chapter of the American Red Cross, chairwoman for the chamber Ambassador’s Club and Education Committee, and a board member for the Mitchell YWCA.
She is also a financial supporter of the Mitchell Area Safehouse and Mitchell Law Enforcement Association.