David Pigott

For his night in the spotlight, David Pigott plans to go all out: He will wear a tux and arrive in a limousine for the Recognition Gala.

"I'm real happy," he said of winning the award.

He said that Black Hills Workshop has been a great help in his life. "Getting the job, mainly, and that was the most important thing."

Once he had the job (stocking shelves at the Ellsworth Air Force Base Commissary) the hardworking and dedicated Pigott shone. He has worked there five years now, winning the title of Employee of the Month twice, and Employee of the Year for 2006.

Pigott's other achievements include living semi-independently with a roommate in a Rapid City apartment. He works an early-morning shift at the commissary and enjoys watching television in his spare time.

His success at his job is clear, and in 2005, he was selected to accompany Black Hills Workshop staff to Washington, D.C., for a JWOD (now AbilityOne) conference, where he and others met with lawmakers to discuss the importance of AbilityOne and employment for people with disabilities.

Tonya Denke

Employed as a food service attendant at the Bandit Inn at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Tonya Denke said she enjoys her job quite a bit and has made many friends there.

"I don't think there's anything I'd want to change," she said of her work.

Denke has been receiving services from Black Hills Workshop for nearly 12 years.

"I think they've done an excellent job," she said. "They helped me find this apartment," where she lives on her own.

Outgoing and friendly by nature, Denke has an active life outside of her career, as well. Displayed in her living room is a stack of shining Special Olympics medals - mostly gold and silver - for her triumphs in track and softball, as well as bowling medals. She also is participating in the new Lose to Win fitness program with Black Hills Workshop.

She reads, plays the piano and enjoys listening to music and watching Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals like "The Sound of Music."

Denke is skilled with a needle and proudly shows off her first quilt, glowing with shades of purple, pink and turquoise, and sporting a colorful border of dragonflies, butterflies and other winged things.

"Butterflies are my favorite," she said happily.

Denke owns a car and is able to drive, so she often goes home to visit her parents near Long Valley, where she helps with work on their ranch. She says that every member of her extended family plans to be at the gala, cheering as she is recognized for all she has accomplished.

Russell Bruner

Since 2001, Russell Brunner has worked at the Ellsworth Air Force Base Commissary stocking shelves and performing custodial duties. He has excelled in his employment there, as he has in all aspects of his life, with the help of Black Hills Workshop.

A framed "Employee of the Month" award hangs on one wall in his home, a bowling trophy is proudly displayed atop a bookshelf and football memorabilia of the Dallas Cowboys - his favorite team - is everywhere.

Russell Bruner began receiving services at Black Hills Workshop in 1972 and has progressed to living semi-independently in his own apartment with a roommate; Workshop staff assist him with his budget and other details.

Brunner loves to travel, chatting excitedly about his trips to Seattle, Alaska, Disney World, Washington, D.C., and Yellowstone Park, where he saw a herd of 685 head of buffalo.

An avid reader, Brunner enjoys reading the Bible and studying the history of the Old West. Books about Custer, Sitting Bull and Chief Joseph are strewn across the coffee table in his comfortable home.

He said he is excited about receiving the Founders Award for Outstanding Achievement at the upcoming gala, in front of family and friends who share his pride in his many accomplishments.

Abbi Wells

The Recognition Gala will not be the first time Abbi Wells has been in the spotlight.

She was an Easter Seals poster child in 1994; a framed newspaper photo announcing the Easter Seals honor hangs on her wall. She says people still recognize her from her television appearance.

She is happy to say that her family, who lives in Box Elder, has been very supportive of her and will attend the gala to watch her receive the award.

A cheerful young woman with a bright smile and a passion for collecting Betty Boop objects, Wells has received services from Black Hills Workshop for several years and appreciates the opportunities that the Workshop have made possible for her. She currently works in-house on an assembly contract that Black Hills Workshop has with Balance Systems Incorporated of Sioux Falls.

Balance Systems supplies window and sash balances to window companies, and Wells said she enjoys her job and likes the people she works with.

In her free time, she watches TV and spends time on the computer writing short stories. Wells also has been an active volunteer, in the past donating her time at United Blood Services, Rapid City Club for Boys, National Federation of the Blind and The Journey Museum.

"It's just something to do, so I'm not bored," she said modestly of her extensive volunteer work.