It may have been a tough year, but when the going gets tough, the young professionals in Kootenai County activate their awesomeness.

On Dec. 7, Kootenai County Young Professionals announced the winners of the 2020 Top 30 Under 40 competition. This exclusive list of hard workers, change-makers and everyday heroes includes a full spectrum of professions, industries and causes: health care, education, finances, children's services, civic leaders and even the North Idaho State Fair.

"I feel grateful that some of these fantastic names are being recognized because it's long overdue and well deserved," KCYP President Ryan Bones said Monday. "I'm also excited to see so many new names, because I feel like in our community there's a spotlight that is often cast on many of the same people doing great things, but it’s great to see some new and formerly unrecognized names being recognized now."

Army veteran Jeremy Sells, who served 17 years and was deployed to Iraq in 2004, now owns Honeydew Handyman, a maintenance and repair business. He said he was "overjoyed and ecstatic" when he heard he had been selected for the Top 30 Under 40.

"I was retired from the Army two-and-a-half years ago, and in the Army, we have an award system," he said. "You move into the civilian world and there’s not anything like that. To be recognized in my community for something like that, it shows that somebody went above and beyond what a normal individual in our community would do to recognize those who are doing more to step up."

KCYP is a nonprofit that began in 2007 to connect young professionals with each other and within the community through education, leadership opportunities, philanthropy and social events. The KCYP Top 30 Under 40 is an opportunity for community members to honor young professionals who are making differences in their businesses, service to their community and overall contributing their awesomeness to Kootenai County. This year's judges were Kiki Miller, Rick Rasmussen, Jeanette Laster, Mark Wilson and Heather Wickman.

"I was really surprised to find out that I was nominated," said Katherine Hoyer, who has had a busy year as the public information officer for Panhandle Health District. "I still don't know who nominated me. I would love to thank them, whoever did."

Hoyer said when she read through who else made the list, she felt appreciative and humbled to be included in their company. She said she wishes all of her coworkers at PHD could receive an award too.

"It takes a village and we've all been working really hard together over this past year," she said. "I really wish it could be for all of us."

Morgan Dixon, Innovation Collective's community lead for shared curiosity, also made the list. He's only 18 and he's already founded a nonprofit and landed a role with a local tech and community-minded organization that utilizes his many talents.

He said he was really excited to learn he had been nominated and selected by the judges.

"It's a really big accolade, and it's just super cool. My mom told me actually, 'Oh my gosh did you know you won?'" he said. "It made me really happy that it made her happy."

Dixon said it's nice to know that someone out there in the community, aside from friends and family, is acknowledging "the awesome stuff we're doing."

"It is really appreciated," he said. "It makes you feel good that all the stuff you've done is paying off and people are noticing."

The 2020 winners were selected out of about 150 nominees and the 100 of those nominees who submitted applications. The winners will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 during Elevate, which this year will be a virtual live-streaming event. Spokane-based psychotherapist Matthias Barker will deliver the keynote speech.

"He’s about helping people move toward what’s meaningful in the midst of hardship," Bones explained.

The live-streamed Elevate will be free for all to view.

"A lot of these young professionals not only did the job they're employed to do, they went above and beyond to help the community or give back in an even greater way," Bones said. "The stress of this year has brought out the best in our community, and this is an example of that."

Here is the complete list of Top 30 Under 40 winners:

• Tristan Hite, Bank CDA

• Evgenia Minatre, Bay Shore Systems

• Derrell Hartwick, Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber

• Jennifer Drake, Crown and Thistle

• Carly Williams, Feed Your Focus Nutritional Therapy

• David Atkins, Heritage Health

• Jeremy Sells, Honeydew Handyman

• Octavian Rivas, ICCU

• Melissa Quinn, Idaho Youth Ranch

• Morgan Dixon, Innovation Collective

• Justin Capaul, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue

• Rebecca Siemers, Kootenai Health

• Ryne Eberlin, Lakeland Joint School District

• Tessa Jilot, Lewis-Clark State College

• Scarlet Kelso, Morgan Stanley

• Matt Hague, Mountain West Bank

• Tabitha Kraak, North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation

• Dr. Jenna Silakoski, North Idaho DPC

• Jessica Mahuron, North Idaho Pride Alliance

• Alexcia Jordan, North Idaho State Fair

• Katherine Hoyer, Panhandle Health District

• Janey Ortega, River City Middle School

• Derik Lavers, Royale and MOJO Realt

• Nikki Parquette, Spear Direct Care

• Macaela Goolsby, Spoelstra Family Family Chiropractic and Focus

• Maren Maier, STCU

• Daniel Connelly, Summit Christian Academy and Connelly Enterprises

• Vanessa Moos, Children's Village

• Jessica Ball, Thrivent Financial

• Jodi Babb, Babb Family