MARQUETTE — The Community Foundation of Marquette County honored five people and businesses during its annual Catalyst Award ceremony last month.

The yearly award ceremony is held to recognize individuals, businesses and other organizations who are found to make a difference in the community and inspiring others to do so as well. The awards are given in different categories based on nominations that are made to the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s Board of Trustees.

The 2023 awards featured five categories: youth, business, individual, posthumous and a special award for the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy.

The youth award was given to Michigan Tech student Allyana Grochowski, who has served on the Ishpeming Youth Advisory Committee for five years and during that time has helped to make many positive changes to the community, including volunteering at local community dinners, making blankets and hats for St. Vincent de Paul Cheer Club and picking up litter at parks among many other positive activities.

Eagle Mine received the award in the business category. The mine, according to the CFMC, has done much to contribute to the community’s well-being, including more than $100,000 of support for local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business has also invested in local youth through the Technical Middle College Program, which helps economically disadvantaged students.

Don Mourand was awarded the individual prize for his work over a decade in the role as the Negaunee superintendent of schools. He has done a lot of work fundraising for the CFMC and serves as an honorary board trustee.

The Superior Watershed Partnership was honored for its Great Lakes Climate Corps initiative, amongst other activities. The GLCC initiative employs 40 young individuals from the area.

The 2023 Posthumus Award was given to Jerry Maynard and was accepted by his widow, Susan. Maynard was a board member of the SWP who did work with many other organizations, including the North Country Trail and as a mediator for Marquette-Alger Resolution Services.