BROOKINGS – Special Agent Jeff Kollars, a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation agent, received national attention. Kollars was nominated for the Heroes Awards 2018: People’s Choice. Each year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children honors law enforcement who have shown dedication to recover a missing or exploited child. Kollars has been a recipient of the Optimist Respect for Law award.

Marilyn Mendenhall is a 21st Century Librarian in the Brookings School District. She is a promoter of learning and communicating through a variety of formats and at different reading levels. She strives to enhance interest and support to the young and emerging readers by providing books and skills necessary for perpetual reading and learning.

Working with all children, Mendenhall encourages active and critical thinking, participation, creativity, and a love of reading and learning in an ever-changing world.

Club president Bob Hurd, left, is pictured with Kollars and Mendenhall during their welcome to the club.

The Optimist Club of Brookings is on a mission to expand optimism. Find it on Facebook and learn how to be a part of expanding optimism through networking with others.