BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — WTOL 11 Meteorologist Ryan Wichman received the Drum Major for Peace award in Bowling Green Monday night during the city's annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
Wichman was chosen for the award because of inclusivity advocacy through Wood County Plays, a nonprofit that funds and builds playgrounds made for children of all abilities to enjoy.
"Our genuine hope for these play spaces is for kids at a young age to see that we all develop at different speeds, we all develop at our own speed and that's okay," Wichman said. "Not everybody is exactly the same and that's what makes us unique."
The event's keynote speaker, Katie Bochi, presented Wichman with the award and said the meteorologist and his family have dedicated the last several years of their lives to serving others, while also including the community.
Wichman said that while he was the one accepting the award, the inclusive playgrounds are a community effort.
Bochi is a member of the Wood County Plays steering committee and a NICU speech-language pathologist.
Watch the full 2023 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute here.
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