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CELINA- Local youth leaders, established business professionals and up-and-coming entrepreneurs were honored Thursday night at the 2025 Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet at Romer's Catering in Celina.
Before the award presentation kicked off, 2025 chamber president Shirley Abels closed out her third term by sharing her gratitude for all the people she worked with.
"Serving in this role is always an honor, and I'm thankful for the opportunity. This is round three. This past year, the chamber's focus was clear: To strengthen our involvement in presence in the community. And together, we did exactly that," Abels said. "We showed up, we collaborated and we continued to build a chamber that reflects the energy, resilience and spirit of Mercer County."
Just before handing out the evening's first award, chamber director Stacy Beougher was spotlighted for recently being named the Michael A. Schultz Chamber Professional of the Year, in the under 600-members category, at the 2026 Chamber Professionals of Ohio Winter Conference.
The award is the organization's highest honor, created to recognize "outstanding leadership, professional excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to community advancement," according to the CPO website.
"This is an incredible honor and well-deserved recognition of her dedication, professionalism and the impact she makes on our chamber and our local businesses community every single day," said chamber president Kirsten Schmitz. "Stacy, congratulations. We are so proud and grateful for everything you do."
Beougher and Schmitz then presented Celina High School seniors Lukas LeJuene and Alanna Gray with the 2025 Youth Leadership Award.
The award is meant to honor "outstanding" young people that work or volunteer at a Mercer County business and exemplify a great work ethic, dedication, passion and a strong desire to continually improve, she said. Along with the award, LeJuene and Gray received a $500 scholarship for education or workforce development.
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Celina High School senior Lukas LeJuene with the 2025 Youth Leadership Award on Thursday evening.
In his role at MAV Youth Mentoring, LeJuene demonstrates exceptional character, commitment and dedication, Beougher said.
LeJuene "is a young person who demonstrates exceptional leadership, exceptional character, commitment and dedication- not only as a student, but also as a mentor and buddy at MAV Youth Mentoring," she said.
LeJuene has been an active mentor at MAV Youth mentoring for three years. He's also involved in marching and jazz band, National Honor Society, the College Credit Plus program, his church group, and worked at Walmart and Grand Lake Health.
In his free time, he enjoys playing saxophone, spending time with his friends and working out.
"At MAV Youth Mentoring, he has a reliable and powerful presence and approaches his work with empathy and resilience. Lukas LeJuene has been an active mentor at MAV Youth mentoring for three years. Lukas's commitment these past several years speaks volumes," Beougher said. "It's easy to excel when situations are easy, but Lukas has proven in his leadership as a mentor that moments require patience, strength and dedication, all in which he excels at. His influence is impactful."
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Celina High School senior Alanna Gray with the 2025 Youth Leadership Award on Thursday evening.
Gray has found a way to balance work and school seamlessly, Schmitz said.
"In addition to her schoolwork, she participated in Celina soccer, is a member of the National Honor Society and is involved in various community service and fundraising activities," she added. "Alanna excels in her interactions with others, fostering a collaborative and respectful environment in her employment at Lake City Creamery. She consistently provides friendly and professional customer service, handles all situations with kindness and maturity and is motivated to do her best in everything she takes on."
Both recipients have aspirations of working in healthcare, with Gray planning to become a nurse practitioner and LeJuene hoping to attend medical school.
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Husband and wife duo Brooke and Braelen Bader with the 2025 Emerging Business Leader Award on Thursday evening.
Husband and wife duo Brooke and Braelen Bader were honored with the 2025 Emerging Business Leader Award, given to young business professionals under 40 who are "taking the business world by storm," Beougher said.
The couple opened MADE Home and Apparel in December 2022 during Celina's Midnight Gladness event. The downtown Celina store sells screen printed apparel, vendor goods, curated home goods and gifts.
Since their start, the Baders have taken talent, design and creativity to a new level, Beougher said.
"MADE isn't just a store, it's a collection of friendship, love, passion and community. Brooke and Braelen have found ways to print and design, alter a complete store setup for different seasons, themes or holidays. They allow local makers to come in and share their space to help develop their own brands, but they also give back to the community through designing apparel and donating proceeds for many different causes near and dear to all of us," she said. "Their infectious personalities make us all not only feel welcome to walk into their doors, but they all make us feel like part of their family, their purpose and their story."
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Michael Pax, the former president of Pax Machine Works in Celina, with the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award on Thursday evening. His award was accepted by his son Jeff Pax, pictured, who recently assumed the role of president of Pax Machine Works.
Michael Pax, the former president of Pax Machine Works in Celina, won the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award.
Pax was lauded for his active engagement in the community and his ability "to make things happen," Schmitz said.
"In 2001, Mike Pax became president of Pax Machine Works - stepping into a role marked by vision, humility and service," she continued. "He honored this tradition every single day. Under his leadership and guidance, the company continued to grow. He worked to build partnerships on trust, honesty and long-term mutual success. His influence on the company is seen through its stability, its financial foundation, the loyalty of its employees and the ongoing success carried into the fourth generation of family ownership."
Pax led the company with character and a caring nature, that extended well beyond company walls, she continued. He retired in January.
"He was founding member of the first Vistage Chief Executive Group, served for many years on the boards of CA Group, Second National Bank, and continues to serve on the WOEF board for Wright State University Lake Campus," Schmitz said. "His leadership carried into every space he touched quietly, humbly and consistently."
He was unable to attend the event. His award was accepted by his son Jeff Pax, who recently assumed the role of president of Pax Machine Works.
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Wabash Mutual Telephone Company with the 2025 Business of the Year Award on Thursday evening.
Wabash Mutual Telephone Company came away with the 2025 Business of the Year Award for its longstanding commitment to Mercer County.
The independent, member-owned Wabash Mutual, serving Mercer County, northern Darke County, western Auglaize County and eastern Jay County, was established in 1911.
Wabash Mutual offers ADSL, fiber and wireless internet service; digital and streaming television; and residential and business phone services; as well as business solutions such as security cameras and access control, broadband connections up to 10 gigabits per second, co-located servers, and network design and installation.
Outside of phone and internet services, Wabash continuously in community initiatives and sponsorships, Beougher said.
"They are strong supporters of our local schools, offer scholarships to graduating seniors, support club banquets and trips, and sponsor athletic events, knowing the future is in the hands of the next generation," she said. "Wabash also hosts yearly events for four community, such as organizing Midnight Gladness and pictures with Santa, where hundreds of kids enjoy a visit with Santa and get a leave with the keepsake picture. We also can't forget their (annual) Easter egg hunt, where children come to collect thousands, almost 10,000 eggs, and earn treats and prizes."
The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce presented Tim and Mary Rosengarten with the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Award on Thursday evening.
Lastly, Tim and Mary Rosengarten accepted the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Award, for their deep commitment to making Mercer County a better place, Schmitz said.
As a veteran himself, Tim Rosengarten "understands the sacrifices firsthand that come with service," she said. "That commitment is evident through (the couple's work with) Lots for Soldiers, an organization created to raise funds and donate lots for veterans building homes in Celina, as well as to provide what they call 'blessings' (or) meaningful support during times of need.
Together, the couple has been integral in the Mercer County Fairgrounds' recent growth, helping with fundraising efforts and the development of the Grand Event Center.
Tim Rosengarten also serves on the Tri Star Career Compact Advisory Board and is the founder, president and CEO of Armcorp Construction in Celina.
Since its start in 2009, the company has reached incredible heights, earning a stellar reputation while specializing in work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies.
"As someone who works at Armcorp, I can say this personally: Tim sets the tone for what responsible, community-minded business ownership looks like- leading with integrity, investing in people and understanding that success means lifting others along the way," Schmitz said.
