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| Joni’s 1000-watt smile! |
Sigh…..
It’s time to pay homage and offer up some monolithic high-fives to the incomparable Joni Sensel, our former Regional Advisor and Chinook Editor and…and…and…well, what DIDN’T she do for SCBWI-WWA? Joni’s thoughtful and deeply entrenched involvement with our chapter is the stuff of legend. She is dedicated, hardworking, knowledgeable, organized, efficient, and continued to leave her mark long after moving to Ohio. But now––sigh––a MFA program and future greatness beckons, and there’s only so much one person can do! With resignation, and understanding, we understand that this is Joni’s time to focus on her next chapter.
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| Kim Baker, Laurie Thompson, Joni |
In short, we want to recognize Joni’s extraordinary efforts, her incredible can-do spirit, her intelligence and her ability to let her hair down and have a great time. Joni, you will be missed. We anticipate great things from you as you enter this next phase of your life. We wish you well and thank you for all your passion, friendship, rigor, encouragement and professionalism. To follow Joni as she rides off into the sunset, check out her great web site.
Go forth and conquer! We can’t wait to read your next novel!
And all the ones after that!
With love and best wishes,
SCBWI WWA AdCom!
SCBWI WWA members!
SCBWI in general!
From Kim Baker, former Regional Advisor and Assistant Regional Adviser with Joni:
Joni has been such an AMAZING friend and asset to the region. She was
one of the first people that I met when I joined, and always so warm and
helpful to newbies and pros alike. She’s worn so many hats and brought
her amazing skills to benefit so many. I’m not sure most people realize
how hard she’s worked to make SCBWI Western Washington so special.
Spreadsheets, budgets, brainstorming, coaching, delegating, managing,
advising, planning- a lot of that done while the rest of us slept. It
was an honor to serve as Assistant Regional Advisor while Laurie and
Joni were at the helm. She makes a great leader– always levelheaded,
respectful, and take charge. It won’t be the same without her, and she
will be missed! Can’t wait to see what she does next.
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| Uh-oh! That looks fun/like trouble! (Joni, Laurie, Kim) |
From Laurie Thompson, co-RA with Joni: “I can’t imagine anyone I would’ve enjoyed working with as co-RA more
than Joni. She’s compassionate yet level-headed, creative yet logical,
hard-working yet fun-loving. I can’t wait to see what she does next!”
I owe so much to Joni too! She's everything they said above and more. When I was still wobbly as a newbie regional advisor on training wheels, Joni answered countless (countless!) question and gave me more than a few pep talks. I couldn't have done it without her. Our region is indebted to her dedication we're lucky her brain is as big as her heart.
If it hadn't been for all that Joni has done for our chapter and our adcom, I know I wouldn't have been brave enough to follow her as Co-RA. Countless times I have asked… WWJD? What would Joni do? And every time, she's been there with an answer. (I have to shout out to you too Laurie Thompson – you two were an extraordinary pair!)
Although I'm sad to lose Joni, I've sure enjoyed seeing her happiness bloom, once she began to have time for her life & work. Y'all come back now, ya' hear!
Aw, you guys are all so sweet! And I miss you and so many of those friendly WWA faces! I knew before that our region was the best just based on the events we held — now I know we've got the closest camaraderie. too. The good news is I hope to be back in my Gwater house with Tony, at least for a few months, next winter — so will have a chance to see some of you more then! 🙂
Best of luck, Joni!
Shelley Seely