Snapp named as unsung hero of Appalachia

A Highland County woman has been named as an "unsung hero" of Appalachia.

The purpose of the Appalachian Unsung Hero Award is to recognize "unsung heros" who have performed good deeds and built pride and self-esteem but have gone unnoticed or unrewarded for their exceptional efforts and outstanding service within the Appalachian community. 

Jeannie Snapp has devoted her life to public service in many different areas and has been a community role model and mentor for Highland County for many years.

She co-founded the Appalachian Highlands Storytelling coalition which introduced many children and adults to the art of storytelling. Through her efforts, the Coalition was able to get funding to provide an artist in residence to teach sixth graders storytelling skills. The week culminated with storytellers from all over the county conducting storytelling programs throughout a five county region for Appalachian elementary children. The Coalition was able to successfully feature the National Storytelling Competition at the Highland County Fair for nine years. The week-long celebration of storytelling provided concerts at area campgrounds, continuing education workshops for teachers to incorporate storytelling into the classroom plus a public concert at Southern State Community College in Hillsboro. 

Snapp served as a Sunday School/Bible School/Camp Adviser and Teacher for several churches throughout the years. She has also been a Highland County 4-H Adviser for 22 years and even won the Bob Evans Innovator Award for developing storytelling as a 4-H project. Jeannie has been involved with Girls State and Teen Institute. 

She was recently the chair for the 65th Charter Celebration for the local Hillsboro Lions Club. Over the years she has held several district and state appointments, served on the Lions District Governors Cabinet and been the Lions adviser for the Hillsboro High School Leo Club. She is the vice president elect of the Hillsboro Lions Club that meet the second and fourth Thursday every month. She is also a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Waw-wil-a-way Chapter and a lifetime member of the Highland County Historical Society. 

She is a retired Hillsboro bus driver and takes every opportunity to inspire and mentor the children who have ridden her bus over her 37  year career. She has continued these friendships through three generations.

Snapp shows no sign of slowing up as she continues to work within her community on a multitude of projects. Her nominee, Jonatha Wright, wrote: "Jeannie is always willing to pitch in and help whenever needed." She exemplifies the motto of the International Lions: "WE SERVE'.