We’re beyond thrilled to join the YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia in celebrating Sondra “Sonie” Schermer’s selection as a 2025 Tribute to Women Award winner for Steam/Education. The City of Bristol Tennessee nominated Sonie for her extraordinary efforts over the past three decades to promote learning and scientific discovery at Steele Creek Park and to make the Park’s state-of-the-art Nature Center the perfect place for thousands to explore and appreciate the natural world.

With Sonie’s passion for learning and appreciation of living things, she has focused on preserving Steele Creek Park’s natural elements and expanding research and discovery opportunities for all ages. She is a founding member of Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park and worked with others to create the original Nature Center and spearheaded an expansion, fostering support from elected leaders and nature lovers on a grassroots campaign to raise a whopping $500,000 for the professionally designed exhibits and labs. Thanks to her efforts, Nature Center visitors now have an up-close look at everything from honey bees to a model of the giant ground sloth that roamed the region during the Ice Age. Sonie also helped establish scholarships for research projects and nature camp, a library filled with hard-to-find scientific books, and even contributed some of her park photographs to decorate the Nature Center’s classroom walls. And, when the Friends host an event, you can bet Sonie will spend hours preparing the delicious refreshments herself.

The Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park are honored to have Sonie serving on the board and celebrate this outstanding recognition with her. She is most deserving of this award for all her contributions to the entire community. Congratulations, Sonie, and each of this year’s Tribute To Women 2025 award winners!