2022 Difference Makers Finalists

Jessica Billings, left, is presented with the Difference Maker of the Year Award by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Karen Vallow, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Stacey Ritter, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Amber Tyler, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Gary Pennington, left, and Liesa Pennington, center, are presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Craig Meador, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Linda Martin, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Judy Gregory, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Donna Gause, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

LuWanna Forister, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Jessica Billings, left, is presented with the Difference Maker finalist plaque by Chris Pruett, publisher of the Daily American Republic, during the fourth annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Jessica Billings, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

LuWanna Forister, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Donna Gause, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Judy Gregory, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Stacey Ritter, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Linda Martin, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Craig Meador, center, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured with the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Liesa and Gary Pennington, finalists for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, are pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Karen Vallow, center, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured with her fellow quilters Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)

Amber Tyler, a finalist for the fourth annual Difference Makers Award, is pictured Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at the Black River Coliseum. (DAR/Brian Rosener)