Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year Award – 2023
Each year, I-SCMA recognizes the best carriers at member newspapers with the Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year Award.
The award is presented in honor of Betty J. Way, a two-time Past President, Honorary Member and recipient of the I-SCMA Achievement Award. This award exemplifies Way’s deep love and appreciation for newspaper carriers of all ages and the distinguished service they provide to their communities and customers.
In 1992, Way became the first woman president of I-SCMA. She worked at The Patriot-News for more than forty years and served as its Circulation Director for more than two decades before she retired in 2003.
Youth Category Winner
Alex Silfies (1.5 years) – Times News
Introducing Our Young Star: Alex Silfies, 2023 Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year! 🌟
Alex, a talented and dedicated youth winner of the 2023 I-SCMA award for Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year. At just the cusp of eighth grade, Alex has been going above and beyond to provide impeccable service to his subscribers, ensuring they receive their daily paper dry, before deadline and in a convenient location.
Alex’s commitment to his Times News paper route has not gone unnoticed, with many of his customers expressing their heartfelt appreciation for his punctuality and dedication. Beyond his exceptional delivery skills, Alex is a solid student who excels academically. In addition to his newspaper delivery prowess, he’s a multi-talented individual with a wide array of interests. From music and bicycling to fishing, basketball, swimming, and playing the guitar, he’s a young enthusiast who embraces life to the fullest.
As if that weren’t enough, Alex also finds time for video games, although under the watchful eye of his mom’s time limit. Join us in celebrating this remarkable young achiever who truly embodies the spirit of excellence and passion. We can’t wait to see where his future endeavors take him! 🚴🎸🏀🎮
Adult Category Winner
Jan Sickels (7 years) – Times News
Celebrating Excellence: Jan Sickels, 2023 Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year! 🌟
We are delighted to honor Jan Sickels, our esteemed adult winner of the 2023 I-SCMA award for Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year. With a remarkable seven-year tenure as a dedicated carrier, Jan’s passion for her work shines through in every aspect of her service.
Jan thrives on her work hours, cherishing the connection she has with her valued customers and coworkers. She particularly appreciates having holidays and weekends off, enabling her to spend quality time with her family. Her commitment to delivering papers on time, ensuring they remain dry, and her consistently friendly interactions with subscribers have made her a beloved figure in the community.
Beyond her delivery duties, Jan also plays a vital role in assisting the Times News marketing department with various events, from fairs to market booth events, whenever her support is needed. Currently responsible for five motor routes comprising 448 papers, Jan’s dedication is truly exemplary.
When she’s not busy delivering the news, Jan enjoys the thrill of dirt car races and cherishes moments spent with her family and friends. Join us in celebrating this outstanding individual who embodies the values of dedication, service, and community spirit. 🚗📰🌆👪
Adult Category Runner-Up
Michael Balint – The Times-Tribune
Senior Category Winner
John Murray (6 years) – Trib Total Media with I-SCMA President Dave Fellabaum
Honoring Excellence: John Murray, 2023 Betty J. Way Senior Carrier of the Year! 🌟
John Murray, our senior winner of the 2023 I-SCMA award for Betty J. Way Carrier of the Year. John’s journey as a carrier began in 2017 when he joined the team at Valley News Dispatch of Trib Total Media.
A retired truck driver, John finds immense satisfaction in the independence of delivering a newspaper route. What truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to building strong relationships with his customers, whom he considers a blessing to himself and his family. With a dedication that’s second to none, John’s mornings begin early as he ensures all customer requests are honored, and deliveries remain consistent.
Not content with the status quo, John actively promotes and expands his subscriber base by canvassing his area and making his phone number available to customers for any special requests. His enthusiasm is not just confined to his deliveries; it’s contagious at the warehouse, where he willingly shares his wisdom with new carriers and promotes the newspaper to new heights.
With 459 daily customers and 579 on Sundays, John is fully invested in the commitment of serving his customers and never wants to let them down. Their satisfaction is paramount to him, and he consistently meets their expectations. But his generosity doesn’t stop there; John extends a helping hand to older neighbors, assisting with household chores such as grass cutting and snow removal. He’s a jack-of-all-trades with a passion for woodworking and crafts.
Join us in celebrating this remarkable individual who embodies dedication, community spirit, and the joy of service. 📰🚚🏠🔨🎨
Senior Category Runner-Up
Lori Gibson – Times News
Award: First place winners in each category receive an attractive plaque and $250 reward. First place winning carrier’s managers receive a $50 reward. Runner up winners receive a certificate.
The V.T. Curtis Citation Award – 2023
This award is in the honor of V.T. Curtis, Past President, honorary member and recipient of the I-SCMA Achievement Award. He was a willing and active member who took great pride in I-SCMA. This award perpetuates Mr. Curtis’ great love of those who made a significant contribution to their community and to the newspaper industry. He was a great, talented and genuinely good man, admired by all that knew him. Mr. Curtis worked for forty-five years in the circulation department of The Washington Post and earlier at The Washington Times-Herald.
V.T. Curtis Citation Award Recipient
Jerry Johnson – The Washington Post
Celebrating Compassion: Jerry Johnson receives the 2023 V.T. Curtis Citation Award 🏆
I-SCMA proudly acknowledge Jerry Johnson, a dedicated member of agent Tom Calisti’s team at The Washington Post for the past 12 years. Although initially an additional contracted carrier, Jerry’s outstanding performance and unwavering commitment to his role have made him a stellar addition to Mr. Calisti’s crew.
Jerry currently serves as the route captain, going above and beyond his duties to redeliver papers to customers who may have missed their delivery or encounter delivery issues. His dedication extends beyond the expected, as he routinely puts in extra effort to ensure that all customer concerns are addressed promptly.
What truly sets Jerry apart is his personal connection with his customers. To him, they’re more than just subscribers; they’ve become friends, and he often plays the role of mentor to Mr. Calisti’s entire carrier group. Jerry’s generosity knows no bounds; he’s the first to lend a helping hand, whether it’s fixing a flat tire or coming to the rescue of a stranded carrier.
But it’s his extraordinary act of kindness that earned Jerry the 2023 V.T. Curtis Citation Award. Last December, in the dead of night and freezing temperatures, he found a distraught man wandering the streets, clad only in a T-shirt and clutching a disabled veteran’s card. The man was clearly in distress, disoriented, and unable to recall his residence. Without hesitation, Jerry contacted the authorities and provided the man with warmth and comfort in his car for over half an hour until help arrived.
Jerry’s remarkable display of compassion, concern, and a profound sense of duty to his fellow human being is nothing short of extraordinary. He demonstrated the kind of humanity that’s often overlooked, and his actions truly deserve this prestigious award. Congratulations, Jerry, on your well-deserved recognition. 🏆👏🚗❤️🌟
Jerry Johnson and Tom Calisti
Award: Recipients receive a certificate and a $100 reward.
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