South Ripley’s Beth Schmaltz named Game Changer
Julie Pollock Elliott
LaRosa’s presented Beth Schmaltz a Game Changer award, which she was nominated for. She is pictured with LaRosa’s Mascot Luigi and Steve Brown, LaRosa’s Chief People Officer.
Last night at South Ripley High School before the varsity game LaRosa’s Chief People Officer and beloved mascot Luigi presented Beth Schmaltz an award – Game Changers MVP.
She was nominated for this award by Ashlee Miller, guidance counselor, who sees first hand all the things Schmaltz does for South Ripley as she diligently takes photos and supports sports at the school.
Miller wrote she was nominating her friend, Beth, because she is a true team player. “In a world often focused on the spectacular, she quietly performs a profound service for our local sports community that is unmatched in its generosity and dedication.”
“Beth deserves recognition for the extraordinary time, money, and effort she expends to photograph local athletes. This isn’t just a casual hobby; it’s a true passion and a selfless gift. She attends nearly every single sporting event- from weeknight games to weekend tournaments – carrying thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment. Her commitment includes travel expenses, long hours standing in all weather conditions, and countless more hours spent post-processing the thousands of photos taken.”
Miller went on to say the most incredible part is she provides every single high-quality photo completely free of charge to all athletes, parents, and coaches. In a time when professional level sports photography can cost a small fortune, Beth’s generosity ensures that no athlete is left without a tangible memory of their achievements.
“For a high school athlete making a game-winning shot or a team celebrating a championship, these photos are priceless mementos,” Miller said.
She continued by saying, “They (photos) capture the fleeting moments of grit, joy and teamwork that define a season. Beth doesn’t do this for profit or recognition. She does it because she believes in their value of effort and the power of a positive memory. Her work is a literal picture of community support, and it enhances the experience of every player and family she photographs.”
When nominating Schmaltz, Miller asked that she be considered for the award because “she has invested a substantial part of her life into celebrating the hard work of our athletes, and it’s time we celebrate her in return.”
Schmaltz was definitely celebrated on Tuesday, January 13 and will receive an abundant supply of free pizza from LaRosa’s!
Beth is married to Keith Schmaltz. The couple have two children who are students at South Ripley. She is also employed full time with The Friendship State Bank.
