Rene Johnson
HANCOCK — Each year, the Copper Country Habitat for Humanity affiliate recognizes an individual as Volunteer of the Year for their outstanding contributions to our organization. Zoe Gaertner, a MTU student, will be recognized as the 2020 CCHFH Volunteer of the Year in a small ceremony on Friday, Apr. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. Representative Greg Markannen will be on hand to present her with an honorary plaque.
Gaertner is currently finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Physics at MTU, and researching extraordinary optical transmission for her senior project. She has also developed her capacity for leadership in her roles as first vice president of her fraternity and the community service coordinator for the National Residence Hall Honorary. Over the past year, Zoe worked with CCHFH to organize and participate in workdays where she brought MTU volunteers to help complete the building of this year’s Habitat home. Gaertner has said it’s been her privilege to work with very inspired groups of MTU students who have volunteered on these projects, with the intent of elevating each other and the community.