Our Stories
2025 NCTA Volunteer Awards: Sweep
This award is presented to volunteers for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the trail or the NCTA over a 3-year period or more.
Steve Hicks
Steve is responsible for mowing a variety of trailheads and segments across Barry County, Michigan for the NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter, and has been doing so since 1998. He volunteers his own vehicle and trailer to move the walk-behind mower from site to site, covering about 70 to 80 miles. He proudly maintains aging equipment and rarely bothers to ask for reimbursement, and he often pitches in on other Chapter projects like building trail and puncheon.
Michelle Lazar
Michelle brings an extraordinary blend of professionalism, technical expertise, and generosity to the NCTA. A retired GIS professional with a career spanning both civil engineering and the U.S. Forest Service, she approached the NCTA with a desire to give back – and quickly became invaluable. For several years, she has contributed to a variety of complex GIS and data-related projects. She eagerly and methodically improves data, cleans and clarifies records, and creates user-friendly processes. Michelle always goes above and beyond what is asked of her, and exemplifies the spirit of service.
Tom Norton
Tom is one of the most crucial members of the NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter who is not a hiker – but he’s rather accomplished at waiting. Last year, over two four-day periods, he shuttled hikers between trailheads during a lengthy hike across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each year during the Chapter’s half-marathon hike, Tom can be found receiving participants at the finish line. At most outreach events, he’s at the information table or greeting folks at the door. He has shuttled his wife Jane around most of Michigan and Wisconsin, during her pursuit of North Country Trail miles. His friendly nature and extreme patience are beyond appreciated.
Larry Scanlon
Larry has regularly volunteered well over 100 hours a year for many years. He helps to assess projects and scout reroutes. For the past five years, he has been at every ribbon-cutting event for trail expansion or renewal projects in the Duluth area. He often plays a support role – staying behind the scenes but making great things happen for the trail. He once volunteered to drive multiple hours for bridge materials that would have cost the Superior Hiking Trail Association hundreds of dollars to ship. Larry also leads weed-whipping crews as a section adopter, keeping the trail open and well-maintained.
John Storkamp
John has been involved with the Superior Hiking Trail for over 30 years. He was one of the first Volunteer Crew Leaders recruited and trained. Aside from coordinating standard logistics, he goes above and beyond by recruiting volunteers and organizing their lodging. He fosters a welcoming environment, and focuses on mentoring and skills building. He is an active sawyer, clearing 15-20 miles of trail each year and training the next generation. Through his company, Rocksteady Running, which hosts marathon and ultramarathon races on the trail, John has shown incredible generosity by contributing more than $30,000 to the trail over the past couple decades. He makes a direct call to action to race participants each year to become members, donors, and volunteers. From these efforts, he had inspired at least an additional $17,000 of support for the trail.
Learn more about how the you can honor NCTA volunteers for their service on and for the North Country National Scenic Trail, and consider a nomination at northcountrytrail.org/volunteer-awards.
