Nauta named Outstanding Citizen by Chamber

Grafton School Board President Steve Nauta will receive the Outstanding Citizen Award later this month from the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber will present the award to Nauta at its Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the Lumberyard plaza at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24. The Chamber will also recognize the Advocates of Ozaukee with its Outstanding Community Group award.

Nauta was picked for the award because of his significant contributions to the Grafton area and selfless dedication to the school district, according to a Chamber press release.

“He is an inspiration to all those around him as he continues to find ways to give back to our community,” Chamber Executive Director Elizabeth Mueller said.

Nauta, a Grafton native, has served on the School Board for eight years, and on the Grafton High School Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee since its creation four years ago.

Nauta was a coach for the Grafton Little League and served on its board. He coached girls’ and boys’ basketball at Grafton High School for 15 years.

Recently, he coached fifth and sixth grade basketball at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he and his family are members.

Nauta’s contributions extend past education and sports.

He has been on the Grafton Parks and Recreation Board since 2016. Nauta is a member of the Grafton Lions Club, and was a member of the Board of Directors as the Leo Club Liaison.

“I first met Steve when he was in high school and a member of the church high school youth group where my wife and I were leaders,” Grafton School Board Treasurer Mark Koehler, who nominated Nauta, said.

“Over the years, I have witnessed him grow firsthand as we have worked together in various capacities. He cares about people, the community and makes Grafton better in so many ways.

“He doesn’t look for recognition. Instead, he continually looks for opportunities to improve the community.”

Advocates of Ozaukee, a support organization for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, will receive the Outstanding Community Group Award.

Advocates provides emergency shelter, food and transportation, one-on-one counseling, legal advocacy, transitional living, outreach and other services to domestic and sexual violence survivors in Ozaukee County and nearby communities.

“Advocates’ commitment to the safety, health, and quality of life in Ozaukee County makes the organization an outstanding candidate for this recognition,” nominator Deb Neulreich of Zing Boutique said.

Since Executive Director Barbara Fischer joined Advocates in 2004, the organization has grown exponentially. In 2004, it served 203 survivors, compared to more than 900 last year. Staffing during that time period has nearly doubled and fundraising quadrupled.

Under Fischer’s leadership, the organization created an electronic database to track client outcomes to evaluate and improve services, and it has twice renovated and expanded its shelter campus.