Do you know a shining star?
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products have been teaming up since 1997 to recognize individuals who exemplify Iowan ideals such as dedication, hard-work and generosity through the Iowan of the Day program.

Each year, ten winners are named Iowan of the Day and receive a special day of recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Perks include an introduction on the Bill and Anne Riley Stage, $200 cash, a golf cart for the day, VIP parking, gate admission for four, hotel accommodations at the Des Moines Marriot, four tickets to the evening Grandstand event and a one-year subscription to The Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines.

Download a nomination form here. Forms will also be available at your local post office or library by May. The deadline for all nomination forms is July 1. Nominees from the two previous years will also be considered, all nominees must live in Iowa.

Congratulations to our Iowans of the Day!
Congratulations to the 2009 Iowans of the Day who were recognized at the Iowa State Fair. Thank you for your dedication to your communities and to the State of Iowa!

Lori Sherling of Estherville
Gary Cheney of Waukee
Susan Shierholz of Ames
Sally Briggs of Coralville
William Marner of Chariton
Mary Lou Aspengren of Des Moines
Rob Wohlert of Iowa Falls
Patty & Jim Cownie of Des Moines
Michael Sadler of Urbandale
Ron Elliott of Minden


Click here to view the list (in PDF) of the Iowans that have been winners since the program's inception in 1997.

August 13th Iowan of the Day
Lori Sherling of Estherville has proven herself to be a true asset to her community through her efforts for the American Cancer Society. As a cancer survivor, Lori is dedicated to finding a cure through Relay for Life. She organizes a team every year and has taken part in the planning committee for over ten years. Her commitment and passion for this cause shows; Lori’s dedication has helped the Emmet County Relay for Life raise tens of thousands of dollars for ovarian cancer research.
In addition to her work on Relay for Life, Lori is very active in her church, Dolliver United Methodist Church. She serves as Lay Leader of the congregation as well as the Chairman of the Pastor Parish Committee. Lori is always ready to lead and has taken part in organizing fundraisers to help raise money for the church.


August 14th Iowan of the Day
Gary Cheney of Waukee exemplifies Iowa spirit. He has dedicated countless hours to various causes, including the West Des Moines Little League and the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. He volunteers annually for the Blue Ribbon Foundation selling water, merchandise and volunteering his time in the State Fair Museum.
Gary has dedicated his life to helping others in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has been a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Award and was a driving factor in a law which covered patients who have prosthetic devices. Gary’s compassion and dedication to his patients has led him to be an inspiration to all who know him.


August 15th Iowan of the Day
Suzan Shierholz of Ames is the definition of a leader in every way. She has become deeply involved in many organizations in Story county including the Mary Greely Medical Center Foundation, Ames Education Foundation, United Way, Story County Community Foundation and Meals on Wheels. Suzan has received many awards in the Story County area for her work in the community.
Suzan has also been extremely involved in the Special Olympics. She is a Commissioner of the State Tennis competition for the Summer Games that the Special Olympics put on and she sets up the venue, the competition and the awards.
She also does volunteer work with the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS), Youth and Shelter Services Foundation and serves as president of the Community Foundation of Greater Story County. Suzan commits her spare time to those in need and is truly is one of a kind.


August 16th Iowan of the Day
Sally Briggs of Coralville has been extremely involved in the lives of children and young adults. She is a dedicated volunteer for Special Olympics. She has coached both children and adults and has helped them excel in a variety of sports, teaching them personal growth, self-confidence and physical fitness. Sally serves as the East Central Area Director for Special Olympics where nearly 1,400 athletes compete.
She is also involved in Girl Scouts; leading not just one but two troops. Under her leadership, her two troops sell over 63,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. She is also the Product Manager for the Mississippi Valley Service Unit 16.
In 2004, Sally received the Governor’s Volunteer Award in addition to receiving the Girl Scout Outstanding Volunteer and Leader of the Year Award. Sally has become a mentor for many young people in her community.


August 17th Iowan of the Day
William Marner of Chariton is an outstanding volunteer and role model. In one year alone, William donated 1,133 hours of his time to his community. Many of those hours were spent by volunteering for the Chariton Chamber of Commerce, Chariton Public Schools, Lucas County Extension, and for many other organizations. He also was named Citizen of the Year in 2003. He is involved at the high school with a program called SPLASH, a local branch of the Dekko Foundation which fosters economic freedom through education. Through his work, William has inspired many young people.
William serves on the Tourism Council as the secretary/treasurer, is involved in the Historical Preservation Commission, Arts Council, Inter Church Ministry Center and the Lucas County Museum. He has become a valuable asset to his community.


August 18th Iowan of the Day
Mary Lou Aspengren of Des Moines has touched the lives of those around her. Her hard-working, Iowa spirit is showcased in her dedication to her work and to volunteerism. Mary Lou volunteered to work with children at the Wilkie House and was one of the first telephone counselors trained for Youth Line in Des Moines. She had a weekly shift manning the phones and undoubtedly touched countless lives.
She is also very active in her church, First Presbyterian, and in Golden K Kiwanis. She has been a volunteer for the Des Moines Public Schools working with children and continues to volunteer at Living History Farms and currently serves as President of the Living History Farms Guild.


August 19th Iowan of the Day
Rob Wohlert of Iowa Falls is a great asset to his community. Since retiring from his practice as a chiropractor, Rob has volunteered his time with several organizations within his community. Some of these include: Co-Chair of RAGBRAI, Chair of the Veteran’s Memorial in Iowa Falls, member of Hyman Peavey Post, American Legion and is an Ellsworth Hospital Foundation Board member. He is also very active in his church and in the local school.
Rob is a person of integrity; he can always be depended upon to get the job done! As a Board member and past president of the Barlow Memorial Library, Rob dedicated many hours to making the library a success whether through fundraising or helping with the landscaping!
As an integral part of the Iowa Falls community, Rob inspired those around to him to serve as he does.


August 20th Iowan of the Day
Patty and Jim Cownie of Des Moines, are exceptional people. They are tireless workers, talented entrepreneurs and care deeply about the Des Moines community. They value family and live those values. Patty and Jim have dedicated numerous hours to many different philanthropic organizations. Patty has served on the Des Moines Metro Opera board, and has served on the boards of the Civic Center of Des Moines, the Des Moines Art Festival, Dowling Catholic High School, among others.
For his part, Jim has been involved in the United Way of Central Iowa, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, Convention & Visitors Bureau to name just a few.
The Cownies immerse themselves in their community to make it a better place for all who live there. Their support and dedication shows through in all that they do.


August 21st Iowan of the Day
Michael Sadler of Urbandale lives a life of service to his family and to his community. Working as the Director of Government Affairs for Qwest in Iowa, Michael devotes his “spare” time to working with youth. He has been a head coach of a YMCA basketball team, a volunteer assistant sophomore boy’s basketball coach at Dowling High School and is a member of the Athletic Board at St. Teresa School, serving as a Public Relations chair.
Michael also is involved with Creative Visions, which is a Des Moines nonprofit agency that works with inner city families, serving as Chairman of the Board. Michael has been recognized as an “outstanding contributor” by the Iowa Human Rights Commission and also serves as the Chair of the Urbandale Civil Rights Commission.


August 22nd Iowan of the Day
Ron Elliott of Minden is an inspiring mentor to many young adults. As a guidance counselor at Tri-Center High School, Ron had the opportunity to inspire many young people during his 29 years there. He has been involved with the Tri-Center school district doing many things including starting the first blood drive in southwest Iowa, and founding and serving as President of Dollars for Scholars.
Ron also served on the mid-west Red Cross board receiving three plaques for his outstanding services. Ron is also involved with several community organizations such as his church, Lions Club, Minden Township Cemetery Board and many more.
Ron’s can-do attitude and positive outlook on life has inspired many.