Ellen Westerhaus was recognized by the JC Breakfast Optimist Club with their “Making A Difference For Youth Award” on Wednesday.
Joe Handlos shared letters of support for Ellen, which contained three focuses. One was that she sets the standard; secondly, she is a protector of the standard and thirdly that Ellen impacts the standard. One of the letters was from Brian Hagemeister, retired educator/former Drama teacher at Junction City High School (JCHS).
Hagemeiser stated that he had worked with Westerhaus for 30 years. Ellen designed, created and sewed costumes for students in all productions and plays since 1992. She was so good at “matching the costume with the characters on stage” he said.
Kay Fisher, who worked with Ellen both at JCHS and on Junction City Little Theater (JCLT) productions wrote in her letter that “every stitch, button and bow had to be in its proper place. Ellen has dedicated many years to JCLT.
Westerhaus has been involved with the Girl Scouts since the 1960s as a leader at all levels of that organization. She has spent 40 years raising funds, maintaining and refurbishing the Girl Scout House in Junction City.
Ellen told club members that the work she does is “an opportunity to stay young by being around young people. When growing up, I was taught to do things for others.”