Register newspaper carriers honored by the state

SANDUSKY — Willo Schreck truly loves the customers she delivers newspapers to, six days a week, for more than a year now.Want some actual proof?At Thanksgiving, the seventh-grade Firelands Christian Academy student pairs each paper with a hand-drawn picture of a colorful turkey she personally creates.Just before Christmas, the city resident offers holiday-themed cookies she and her mom, Sirka, bake — maybe in an attempt for her readers to "stomach" certain articles.And, on every single day, Willo strikes up small talk with those anxiously awaiting her arrival, be it on porches or in doorways.Willo Schreck, 12, delivers a newspaper along her route on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. Willo, 12, who attends Firelands Christian Academy in Castalia, was recently named as the 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year, an award only given to one person 18 and younger in Ohio.Though Willo can't chat for too long because her on-foot route takes about 40 minutes to complete. So, when they shout "Goodbye!" she's already zig-zagging across a street to hit her next home — but Willo never forgets to wave, extending her hand beyond a bright orange strap, supporting a retro Register satchel, slung around her shoulder.Her blend of compassion and commitment along with a flawless record, she hasn't received a single complaint yet, earned Willo the prestigious distinction of recently becoming the 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year. The committee only selects one winner under 12 in the entire state."It makes me feel happy," said Willo, who has six brothers and sisters. "It makes me feel like I have done a good job."Willo Schreck, 12, delivers a newspaper along her route on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. Willo, 12, who attends Firelands Christian Academy in Castalia, was recently named as the 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year, an award only given to one person 18 and younger in Ohio. Sirka complimented her daughter for delivering papers, often in terrible weather, while juggling many other responsibilities, such as homework, piano lessons and acrobatics class. Sometimes her siblings — including Karis, Vivi, Rainah, Lily and Zachary — accompany Willo on her route."She really genuinely cares," Sirka said. "She puts her heart into it."Willo Schreck (top left) the recently named 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year recipient often receives help delivering Register newspapers from some of her sisters, including (clockwise, from top right): Karis, Vivi and Rainah. Willo's customers wholeheartedly agree. Many wrote letters addressed to the committee, which likely convinced judges she deserves the honor. Among a sampling of the correspondence submitted:• Linda and Paul Scroggy: Willo has never missed a delivery to us in all the time she has been delivering. She has the paper at our door on time, in the right place and always protected from the elements. She takes her job very seriously. She is always kind and respectful when we are outside.• Mary Fran Kreidler: She is polite and reliable, always delivering the newspaper on time. If the weather is bad, she puts my paper on my table near my door. This helps me out a lot.• Barbara Lilje: My parents are 96 and 92, and they have subscribed to and read the Sandusky Register every day. They are always telling me about their wonderful paper girl Willo. She delivers their paper right to their front-door mailbox, which keeps them from going down steps to retrieve it. They tell me how kind and considerate she is, and how she is the best carrier they ever had.Willo Schreck, 12, who has delivered Register newspapers for about a year and a half, was recently named as the 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year, an award only given to one person 18 and younger in Ohio. Schreck, a Sandusky resident who attends Firelands Christian Academy in Castalia, received many complimentary comments from her customers about her commitment to and kindness on the job. Honoring the HarplesTwo other Register newspaper carriers also received a joint Ohio News Media Association 2018 Carrier of the Year award but in a different division.Spouses Jerry and Yolanda "Yoli" Harple share the honor in the senior division. Delivering together for about 20 years, their west-end motor route, which takes almost five hours to complete each day, serves about 500 readers."It just started out as some extra income for us," said Yoli, who also works as a nurse's aide and cook at Portland Place on Venice Road (U.S. 6) in Sandusky. "But we like our customers, and they like us."So much so that they provide goodies, like banana nut bread and chocolate chip cookies, to the Harples as a gesture for the consistently great delivery."We do this for our customers, and this award means they have acknowledged the job we have done," Yoli said.Added Jerry: "It's great."After 52 years of marriage, both Jerry and Yoli — who have 10 children and 10 grandchildren — enjoy spending a majority of their days together. They treat their motor route as an opportunity to bond together. "We really do like our jobs," Yoli said.Spouses Yolanda "Yoli" and Jerry Harple, who have delivered Register newspapers for about 20 years, were recently named as the joint 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Senior Carriers of the Year, an award only given to one person or carrier team 55 or older in Ohio. The Harples, who live in Sandusky, deliver to about 500 customers six days a week. Many of them are appreciative of their service, as evident by giving them baked goods and other gifts. Current carriersAs of Wednesday, here is a complete list of newspaper deliverers the Register independently contracts with:On foot• Alice Ashburn• Alexis Gonzales• Angel Brown• Ann Povlick• Braden Chapman• Braylin Orman• Charles McCray• Crystal Carpenter• Daniel Roth• David Maschal• Dawnisha Hall• Derek Lykins• Dorian Banks• Jacobi Greszler• James Fox• Jeff Sonner• Joseph Beverick• Josephine Stark• Kareem Roney• Kenneth Adams• Keshawna Alexander• Latasha Lovell• Latoya Smith• Linda Propst• Lois Drummond• Lulla Knerr• Malik Shabazz• Melvin Smith• Michael Smith• Miles Walls• Nakya Thomas• Neil Hansberger• Nicholas Staltaro• Nicole Shay• Paula Welch• Rhea Grant• Roy Hull• Ruth Rayl• Shaye Grunden• Stan Mackey• Stephanie Salkind• Tapresha Pickens• Taylor Brown• Tracy Lee Roberts• Trevor Wetherbee• Wade Cottier• Willo SchreckVia motor routes• Aaron Scherf• Bruce Dinse• Bryan Dabney• Cheryl Engelhardt• Chris Schoewe• Chris and Paul Schoenegge• Danny Vance• Devin Stevenson• Esequiel Gonzales• Jackie Schmidt• Janice Stevenson• Jeffrey Rogers• Jerry Evans• Jerry and Yolanda "Yoli" Harple• Lindy Meagrow• Maria Gonzales• Richard Pace• Richard Pierce• Rita Moffit• Sam Reamer• Sheldon Shade• Stacia Kerby• Steven Langhals• Sue Churchill• Theresa Mills• Tina Dennis"Our carriers play a vital role in the efforts of the Register to produce a quality local newspaper six days a week," said Bill Ney, the Register's operations manager, who oversees circulation. "Register carriers represent our final link between our home-delivered subscribers and the daily efforts of everyone at the Register."While Willo and the Harples received awards, each Register carrier deserves recognition."We are grateful to all our carriers for their dedicated service," Ney said.Do you want to be a Register carrier? Call 419-625-5500, ext. 2 for an interview or additional information.Willo Schreck, 12, delivers a newspaper along her route on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. Willo, 12, who attends Firelands Christian Academy in Castalia, was recently named as the 2018 Ohio News Media Association's Youth Carrier of the Year, an award only given to one person 18 and younger in Ohio. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.