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"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." —Thomas Campbell The working dog world lost a tremendous friend and advocate in 2012. The Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award is made in memory of Warren and in recognition of his generous service to the dog sport community. |
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Recipients
2023 Olga Baram
Olga Baram is the perfect recipient. Her commitment to the AWMA is exemplary. For those that don’t know Olga personally, let me run you through just some of the many ways she has, and continues to, help our organization and dog sport in general:
-AWMA secretary (a very involved volunteer position)
-AWMA member since 2016
-2019 AWMA North Regional Director
-Been training Schutzhund since 1995
-Routinely supports fundraising efforts for our FMBB team, FCI team, Regional Championships, and National Championships through her company Dogsports4u And last, but definitely not least, Olga also mentors an AWMA Junior handler. I think this alone speaks volumes to the type of person Olga is.
We are so proud to have Olga as a member of the organization! Thank you, Olga!
2022 Diamond Hansel
This year Diamond Hansel was selected to receive the Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award. Diamond exemplifies the word sportsmanship in every sense of the word. He can be seen at almost every Nationals standing in the blind or laying out send out toys for newer competitors he has never met but need help during practice. He has hosted two free training weekends for AWMA members. Diamond has conducted multiple fundraisers for FCI and FMBB team members raising a substantial amount of money for both. He has volunteered countless hours to the organization by being on several committees and the executive board over the last decade. Diamond has traveled to conduct trial helper work for clubs without a helper and has never asked for anything in return. His club has also hosted the AWMA Nationals to support the organization. If that isn’t enough, he has also supported other organizations Nationals as a track layer. Diamond has done all of this while working a full-time job, is a father, and competing at the national and world level consistently with his own dog. Our organization cannot say thank you enough to all the time, energy, and effort he has put into our organization.
2020 Annie Wildmoser
Annie Wildmoser, a valuable AWMA member, has contributed an extraordinary amount of time and talent to the AWMA.
When the treasurer resigned, Annie stepped forward to fill the empty position. Being a forward thinker, Annie set up a bank account that can be used all over the United States to reduce problems whenever the person in this position changes. The COVID-19 situation greatly complicated this effort because nearly all banks were closed. She persevered with research on the best options followed by multiple appointments/in person visits to branch banks to finally get this resolved. She moved the AWMA’s financial records to an on-line electronic format to facilitate future easy transfer of the information. Issues with linking payment options on the website to PayPal were resolved. When there was a need to quickly turn around information required by the IRS to finalize our move to a 501 (c) 7 tax status, she immediately responded.
In addition to her efforts as treasurer, she has been instrumental in many behind-the-scenes activities to improve services to our members and clubs. We now have revised online forms for membership and club dues, new electronic forms for club events, and an innovative integrated electronic trial scoresheet form that will allow for quick submission of entries and trial results. She also dedicated many hours to develop, at no cost, a new website for the AWMA that is compatible with the new electronic forms. The new format is much easier to update and will allow for more efficient posting of new clubs, events, and trial results.
Annie has done all of this because she believes in the AWMA and that we can always provide more value to our members. She epitomizes the spirt of service and is deserving of recognition by receiving the 2020 Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award.
2019 Christina Hansel
This year Christina Hansel was selected to receive the Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award. In the short time she has been involved in this sport she has successfully supported the 2019 FMBB team by videoing, discussing, and displaying what it takes to train for international competition with a fundraiser "The Road to the FMBB." It was a hit and she raised a substantial amount of money with all proceeds goingt the team. She also supported AWMA members on the FCI team with yet another fundraiser. She volunteered to produce AWMA's newsletter and holds an active position as a director at large on the AWMA executive board. If all of this isn't enough, Christina also laid tracks at the 2019 AWDF Championship and volunteered to help at the 2019 DVG Nationals. Christina has handled all of this while preparing to compete with her own dog. Christina is the first to step up and volunteer, all with a smile on her face.
2018 Anthony Hartelaub
Congratulations to Anthony Hartelaub for receiving the 2018 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award.
With assistance from the AWMA, Anthony founded the Oxford IPO Working Dog Club in Canada; that organization operated under the AWMA while he and colleagues were forming the Canadian Working Belgian Shepherd Dog Club (CWBSDC) and the umbrella Canadian Working Dog Federation. The CWBSDC is now independent and carrying forward the mission of supporting the working Belgian Shepherd dog in Canada.
During the last two years, Anthony has stepped in to fill the role of FMBB team captain. In that capacity, he has excelled in helping our team succeed by arranging local accommodations, tracking and training, solving disputes, and representing the team at the FMBB meetings. He also arranged for sponsored uniforms, other clothing, and training items for the team. Throughout, he has been supportive, positive, and incredibly collegial.
It may seem unusual to make this award to someone in Canada, but in light of everything Anthony has done for the AWMA, it is highly appropriate that he be recognized for his contributions.
2017 Tim Karchnak
Congratulations to Tim Karchnak for receiving the 2017 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award. Thank you, Tim, for all you do for the AWMA, and well deserved.
This award is given each year in memory of Warren, who represented the best in sportsmanship and the sport of IPO in the dog world. Tim is a shining example of the meaning of sportsmanship, from his demeanor in national and world events, win or lose, to the training of his club members in stressing the importance of sportsmanship and professional behavior within the trial experience. He has stepped up to become an AWMA judge - a task requiring tremendous commitment of personal time and finances. Tim demonstrates and projects the very qualities that we remember seeing in Warren Jones, and the AWMA is most fortunate for everything he contributes in making our organization better.
2016 Waine Singleton
Waine has been a member of AWMA since 2006. He is pro dog sport of any kind and gives back tot he dog sport committee on a regular basis. His club has hosted AWMA Nationals, AWDF Championships, multiple helper seminars, AWMA training day coookout get-togethers and always has 1-2 club trials per year. In 2013 when he hosted the AWMA Nationals, a special trophy and sponsorship was created for any youth who wished to enter to cover the cost of entry. Even after decoying countless championships, he attends at least one helper seminar per year in order to keep up his helper skills but also to help teach the new helpers and to take dogs anytime he can. In 2016 he completed the requirements to become and AWMA judge. He's been the North Regional Director for several years and has grown the region in numbers of trials and clubs. When he's not hosting, being the helper or competing, you can find him in the group, laying tracks or volunteering and sometimes simultaneously while hosting/decoying. At the 2015 AWDF championship where he was a helper he was seen walking onto the field to meet a fellow helper and carrying his sleeve off for him. His contributions to and love for the AWMA and the sport are great.
2015 Shari Lipski
Put simply, if we didn't have Shari, we may not have our FMBB teams. Shari has been the "glue" that has held our World Championship/National Events Committee together. For many years she has spearheaded all the efforts that go into getting our teams to the event, including the updating of qualification criteria, receiving entries and checking them for completeness, coordinating uniforms and the team captain, contacting the FMBB to ensure entries and payment are received, helping competitors with transportation and accomodations, troubleshooting issues at the event, and handling the myriad of details that go into making sure we are represented. She has coordinated with and reached out to potential agility competitors. Additionally, she was instrumental in setting up the processes by which we cooperate with the USMRA to send a Mondio team. Whenever the AWMA board has asked her to solicit input fromt he WC/NE Committee, she has done so in a timely manner, often spearheading important initiatives for the organization. A key point is that Shari is not presently competing in IPO, her love is agility, but her dedication to the Malinois extends to all aspects of their working ability. Her contributions to the AWMA are extensive and ongoing, and she is deserving of recongition.
2014 John Wiitanen
The recipient of the 2014 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award is Mohawk John Wiitanen. Mohawk has been a staunch supporter of the AWMA for many years. A few years ago he volunteered for and was responsible for the creation and sales of t-shirts and other apparel for the AWMA. He and Paula hosted a fabulous National Championship in Michigan with the best judges’ dinner ever that was home-made food at their home. He hosted the AWDF Championship with the largest entry ever. He helped set up the AWMA facebook page and makes routine contributions to it. He has also consistently had an AWMA member club that has held a trial every year. Whenever there has been something that needed to be done he’s stepped forward, even though he has not been an officer or committee member. He’s one of our most active and supportive club members and worthy of recognition. Congratulations, Mohawk!
2013 Anne Camper
Anne was chosen to receive the 2013 Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award because her commitment to the AWMA embodies so many of the same qualities that Warren demonstrated in all the years he dedicated to dogsport. It was only appropriate to all of us, and everyone on the AWMA board, that Anne should be the first recipient of this award given her dedication to the organization, her never-ending guidance, problem solving, effort and diligence to make the organization better serve its members and last but not least, serve our beloved Malinois.
Olga Baram is the perfect recipient. Her commitment to the AWMA is exemplary. For those that don’t know Olga personally, let me run you through just some of the many ways she has, and continues to, help our organization and dog sport in general:
-AWMA secretary (a very involved volunteer position)
-AWMA member since 2016
-2019 AWMA North Regional Director
-Been training Schutzhund since 1995
-Routinely supports fundraising efforts for our FMBB team, FCI team, Regional Championships, and National Championships through her company Dogsports4u And last, but definitely not least, Olga also mentors an AWMA Junior handler. I think this alone speaks volumes to the type of person Olga is.
We are so proud to have Olga as a member of the organization! Thank you, Olga!
2022 Diamond Hansel
This year Diamond Hansel was selected to receive the Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award. Diamond exemplifies the word sportsmanship in every sense of the word. He can be seen at almost every Nationals standing in the blind or laying out send out toys for newer competitors he has never met but need help during practice. He has hosted two free training weekends for AWMA members. Diamond has conducted multiple fundraisers for FCI and FMBB team members raising a substantial amount of money for both. He has volunteered countless hours to the organization by being on several committees and the executive board over the last decade. Diamond has traveled to conduct trial helper work for clubs without a helper and has never asked for anything in return. His club has also hosted the AWMA Nationals to support the organization. If that isn’t enough, he has also supported other organizations Nationals as a track layer. Diamond has done all of this while working a full-time job, is a father, and competing at the national and world level consistently with his own dog. Our organization cannot say thank you enough to all the time, energy, and effort he has put into our organization.
2020 Annie Wildmoser
Annie Wildmoser, a valuable AWMA member, has contributed an extraordinary amount of time and talent to the AWMA.
When the treasurer resigned, Annie stepped forward to fill the empty position. Being a forward thinker, Annie set up a bank account that can be used all over the United States to reduce problems whenever the person in this position changes. The COVID-19 situation greatly complicated this effort because nearly all banks were closed. She persevered with research on the best options followed by multiple appointments/in person visits to branch banks to finally get this resolved. She moved the AWMA’s financial records to an on-line electronic format to facilitate future easy transfer of the information. Issues with linking payment options on the website to PayPal were resolved. When there was a need to quickly turn around information required by the IRS to finalize our move to a 501 (c) 7 tax status, she immediately responded.
In addition to her efforts as treasurer, she has been instrumental in many behind-the-scenes activities to improve services to our members and clubs. We now have revised online forms for membership and club dues, new electronic forms for club events, and an innovative integrated electronic trial scoresheet form that will allow for quick submission of entries and trial results. She also dedicated many hours to develop, at no cost, a new website for the AWMA that is compatible with the new electronic forms. The new format is much easier to update and will allow for more efficient posting of new clubs, events, and trial results.
Annie has done all of this because she believes in the AWMA and that we can always provide more value to our members. She epitomizes the spirt of service and is deserving of recognition by receiving the 2020 Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award.
2019 Christina Hansel
This year Christina Hansel was selected to receive the Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award. In the short time she has been involved in this sport she has successfully supported the 2019 FMBB team by videoing, discussing, and displaying what it takes to train for international competition with a fundraiser "The Road to the FMBB." It was a hit and she raised a substantial amount of money with all proceeds goingt the team. She also supported AWMA members on the FCI team with yet another fundraiser. She volunteered to produce AWMA's newsletter and holds an active position as a director at large on the AWMA executive board. If all of this isn't enough, Christina also laid tracks at the 2019 AWDF Championship and volunteered to help at the 2019 DVG Nationals. Christina has handled all of this while preparing to compete with her own dog. Christina is the first to step up and volunteer, all with a smile on her face.
2018 Anthony Hartelaub
Congratulations to Anthony Hartelaub for receiving the 2018 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award.
With assistance from the AWMA, Anthony founded the Oxford IPO Working Dog Club in Canada; that organization operated under the AWMA while he and colleagues were forming the Canadian Working Belgian Shepherd Dog Club (CWBSDC) and the umbrella Canadian Working Dog Federation. The CWBSDC is now independent and carrying forward the mission of supporting the working Belgian Shepherd dog in Canada.
During the last two years, Anthony has stepped in to fill the role of FMBB team captain. In that capacity, he has excelled in helping our team succeed by arranging local accommodations, tracking and training, solving disputes, and representing the team at the FMBB meetings. He also arranged for sponsored uniforms, other clothing, and training items for the team. Throughout, he has been supportive, positive, and incredibly collegial.
It may seem unusual to make this award to someone in Canada, but in light of everything Anthony has done for the AWMA, it is highly appropriate that he be recognized for his contributions.
2017 Tim Karchnak
Congratulations to Tim Karchnak for receiving the 2017 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award. Thank you, Tim, for all you do for the AWMA, and well deserved.
This award is given each year in memory of Warren, who represented the best in sportsmanship and the sport of IPO in the dog world. Tim is a shining example of the meaning of sportsmanship, from his demeanor in national and world events, win or lose, to the training of his club members in stressing the importance of sportsmanship and professional behavior within the trial experience. He has stepped up to become an AWMA judge - a task requiring tremendous commitment of personal time and finances. Tim demonstrates and projects the very qualities that we remember seeing in Warren Jones, and the AWMA is most fortunate for everything he contributes in making our organization better.
2016 Waine Singleton
Waine has been a member of AWMA since 2006. He is pro dog sport of any kind and gives back tot he dog sport committee on a regular basis. His club has hosted AWMA Nationals, AWDF Championships, multiple helper seminars, AWMA training day coookout get-togethers and always has 1-2 club trials per year. In 2013 when he hosted the AWMA Nationals, a special trophy and sponsorship was created for any youth who wished to enter to cover the cost of entry. Even after decoying countless championships, he attends at least one helper seminar per year in order to keep up his helper skills but also to help teach the new helpers and to take dogs anytime he can. In 2016 he completed the requirements to become and AWMA judge. He's been the North Regional Director for several years and has grown the region in numbers of trials and clubs. When he's not hosting, being the helper or competing, you can find him in the group, laying tracks or volunteering and sometimes simultaneously while hosting/decoying. At the 2015 AWDF championship where he was a helper he was seen walking onto the field to meet a fellow helper and carrying his sleeve off for him. His contributions to and love for the AWMA and the sport are great.
2015 Shari Lipski
Put simply, if we didn't have Shari, we may not have our FMBB teams. Shari has been the "glue" that has held our World Championship/National Events Committee together. For many years she has spearheaded all the efforts that go into getting our teams to the event, including the updating of qualification criteria, receiving entries and checking them for completeness, coordinating uniforms and the team captain, contacting the FMBB to ensure entries and payment are received, helping competitors with transportation and accomodations, troubleshooting issues at the event, and handling the myriad of details that go into making sure we are represented. She has coordinated with and reached out to potential agility competitors. Additionally, she was instrumental in setting up the processes by which we cooperate with the USMRA to send a Mondio team. Whenever the AWMA board has asked her to solicit input fromt he WC/NE Committee, she has done so in a timely manner, often spearheading important initiatives for the organization. A key point is that Shari is not presently competing in IPO, her love is agility, but her dedication to the Malinois extends to all aspects of their working ability. Her contributions to the AWMA are extensive and ongoing, and she is deserving of recongition.
2014 John Wiitanen
The recipient of the 2014 Warren L. Jones Sportsmanship Award is Mohawk John Wiitanen. Mohawk has been a staunch supporter of the AWMA for many years. A few years ago he volunteered for and was responsible for the creation and sales of t-shirts and other apparel for the AWMA. He and Paula hosted a fabulous National Championship in Michigan with the best judges’ dinner ever that was home-made food at their home. He hosted the AWDF Championship with the largest entry ever. He helped set up the AWMA facebook page and makes routine contributions to it. He has also consistently had an AWMA member club that has held a trial every year. Whenever there has been something that needed to be done he’s stepped forward, even though he has not been an officer or committee member. He’s one of our most active and supportive club members and worthy of recognition. Congratulations, Mohawk!
2013 Anne Camper
Anne was chosen to receive the 2013 Warren Jones Sportsmanship Award because her commitment to the AWMA embodies so many of the same qualities that Warren demonstrated in all the years he dedicated to dogsport. It was only appropriate to all of us, and everyone on the AWMA board, that Anne should be the first recipient of this award given her dedication to the organization, her never-ending guidance, problem solving, effort and diligence to make the organization better serve its members and last but not least, serve our beloved Malinois.