By Amanda Greger
Staff Writer at Holt County Independent
The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and Bright Horizons are joining forces to host the 7th annual Women’s Wellness Event at the end of this month. The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the O’Neill Community Center.
Numerous vendors and informational booths will be set up throughout the evening. Admission is a freewill donation. Free food, drinks and door prizes will be provided by various agencies. “Just as in the past, this event promises to be an exciting night of uplifting your mind, body and spirit,” said Amanda Wallace, Bright Horizons O’Neill program director.
Four speakers will be featured at this year’s event. They include:
Rachel Kohlman
Officer Rachel Kohlman of the O’Neill Police Department will give a presentation on situation awareness and demonstration on self-defense techniques. “I started as a reserve office in 2007 and was hired full-time in 2008,” she said. “Prior to joining the local police department, I worked as a corrections officer at the Holt County Jail.”
When not on duty in O’Neill, Kohlman serves as the Chief of Police for the communities of Ewing and Page.
She received her associates of science in paramedics from Northeast Community College and bachelors of science in criminal justice from Central Christian College. “I am certified as an instructor in pressure point control tactics, modern warrior ground fighting, edged weapons, OC spray and less lethal impact munitions,” she said.
Kohlman served on the City of O’Neill & Rural Fire Department for five years where she was certified as a firefighter and named EMT of the year in 2007. While at the OPD, Kohlman was an investigator for three years. She received the Outstanding Service Award in 2009 and 2012 and Life Saver Award in 2011. She is involved with the O’Neill FFA Boosters, Canyonman Jeep Club, American Legion Auxiliary Post #93, American Legion Riders Post #93 and teaches CPR and first aid classes at Northeast Community College.
Nicole Sedlacek
Sedlacek will give a presentation focusing on “Dreams.” “I like to help people turn on their dream switches on and think about what’s possible,” she said. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, Sedlacek became the executive director of the HCED when it began in 2007. She is a business retention and expansion coordinator, an accredited business planning advisor and a Gallup Certified Strengths coach. Sedlacek is a member of Holt County TeamMates, O’Neill Rotary Club and O’Neill Community Foundation. She currently serves as the Nebraska Economic Developers Association vice president. Her family includes her husband, Brian, who works for NPPD, and their two daughters, Ally and Emma.
Amy Seger
A Tennessee native, herbalist and educator Amy Seger will give a presentation on food and herbs for boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation. “I am interested in learning more about native plants of the Midwest and using local prairie and ‘weedy’ plants in food and medicine,” she said. “Such common plants and herbs can support good nutrition and encourage our bodies innate abilities to heal.” Seger received her master of science degree in herbalism. After completing her education in ornamental horticulture, landscape design and plant sciences at the University of Tennessee, she studied herbal medicine for two years in Asheville, NC, through One World Healing Arts Institute.
Trent Shoemaker
Trent Shoemaker, a chiropractor at Revelation Wellness in O’Neill, will be giving a presentation titled, “ADHD, the gift that everybody want.” Shoemaker will provide information on what ADHD is and what it is not. “This presentation is geared towards women who maybe struggling personally as well as towards women that teach, care for or otherwise know someone with ADHD,” he said. Shoemaker said women often do not that attention deficit maybe a problem in their lives and is often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. “The single greatest warning sign of ADHD in adults is unexplained underachievement,” he said. “These are incredibly talented or smart individuals that simply don’t know they are capable of greatness. The world tells them they’re not good enough or they have something wrong with them and they believe it because they don’t have anything better to go on.” The presentation is designed to give women hope and education.
Bright Horizons is dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence and sexual assault through empowerment, education, social action, and support services. The agency provides free and confidential assistance. Bright Horizons provides individual advocacy, shelter support, support groups, community education, criminal justice and legal advocacy.
The agency’s 24-hour crisis line is 877-379-3789. For more information on assistance or to volunteer, stop by the local office at 318 E. Douglas St. in O’Neill, call 402-336-1774 or go online to www.brighthorizonsne.org.