Regional Gem Award

PAST RECIPIENTS

Dee Wells

Dee has been involved, first with Odyssey of the Mind and then Destination Imagination for 38 years. She began as a Team Manager in the Franklin County School District and later started a DI program at Edgewood City Schools. As a regional board member she served as the hospitality coordinator, a Regional Challenge Master, and the Regional Treasurer for 20 years. At the Affiliate level, Dee has been a Head Appraiser and and an Affiliate Challenge Master. She has also served as a Global Finals volunteer. Although retired from the Regional Governing Board, Dee continues to volunteer as an Appraiser at our Regional Tournament. We thank Dee for her passion, commitment, and enduring service to make our region better for all.

Jim and Patty Martz

Jim has been a staple of our region for many years. After guiding his own children through the program as a team manager, he now watches his grandchild perform. He has served in many roles – team manager, regional challenge master, regional director, and most recently as tournament director. He is a strong advocate for students in making sure every tournament is fair and equitable. And although Patty would prefer to be in the background as just "Jim's wife," she also donates a large amount of time to helping our region. She attends our meetings and trainings, helps keep the appraisers fed and happy, and most importantly, keeps Jim in line. We are very thankful to both of the Martzs for their time and commitment to our region.

Lonna Walker

2025's Regional Gem Award winner has been a driving force behind creative problem solving programs in SW Ohio for over 35 years. During that time, Lonna Walker served as a Regional Director, Regional Tournament Director, Regional Challenge Master, Affiliate Head Appraiser, Regional Training Coordinator, Appraiser, School Coordinator, and Team Manager to multiple teams in her school district. Most recently, she served as Challenge Master for the technical challenge. Although she passed on the torch as Challenge Master this season, her commitment and love for DI remain strong. She was a driving force behind the formation of Ohio DI's sponsor organization, Ohio Kids for Creativity, in 1999, which has allowed students all over Ohio, including hundreds in her own school district, to grow up in DI. For many years, she designed the dragon pin sets that Ohio became famous for. And rumor has it, somewhere in her house, she has at least one of every pin that Ohio has ever had! She's worn many hats, but under all those hats is a person who truly embodies the spirit of DI, and who has taught decades of students the value of creative problem solving. It is with deep gratitude that we present this year's Regional Gem Award to the hard working, wonderful, and very deserving Lonna Walker.

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