Rising Star Katie Thomas. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Rising Star Zach Hodge. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Rising Star Eva Schmid. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker, Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star Award Breakfast held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker, Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker, Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

People enjoy breakfast during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Photos by Dave Kettering PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Recipients of the Telegraph Herald’s 2021 Rising Star Awards take part in the recognition ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Tyson Leyendecker, with Dubuque Bank & Trust, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker, Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker, Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, speaks during the 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Telegraph Herald Executive Editor Amy Gilligan. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Telegraph Herald Executive Editor Amy Gilligan. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, spoke to recipients on ways they could make small but impactful contributions to those around them. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Keynote speaker Wes Hartig, CEO of MedOne, spoke to recipients on ways they could make small but impactful contributions to those around them. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

The 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

The 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Tyson Leyendecker, with Dubuque Bank & Trust. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

Tyson Leyendecker, with Dubuque Bank & Trust. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

The 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering

The 2021 Rising Star award ceremony held at the Diamond Jo Casino on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering