Jeanne Cronce has been a lot of things in her life.
Four decades in the education field saw Cronce teaching, serving as a school principal, helping college students as the student life coordinator for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Shawano campus, instructing through Junior Achievement, serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters and, finally, bringing history to life as a Heritage Park docent with the Shawano County Historical Society.
Also on Cronce’s resume is serving as Shawano’s mayor along with stints on the Shawano County Library Board, St. James School Board, Safe Haven Board of Directors, Shawano Optimists, Shawano Area Matthew 25 and more.
Such a laundry list made it obvious to the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, where Cronce serves as an ambassador, that she should be the 2024 Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
Cronce was nominated for the honor by Robyn Shingler, director for the Shawano Community Education program. In her nomination letter, Shingler noted that the Shawano native lived right next to her father’s shoe store on Main Street.
“Little did she know, she would grow up to become principal of the school in her own backyard,” Shingler wrote.
Shingler noted that Cronce’s dedication to her community hasn’t waned, pointing out she continues to help Shawano by sitting on the board for the city’s redevelopment authority.
“Jeanne was a critical advocate and active participant in Shawano’s Redevelopment Authority (RDA) through which new plans have been developed to expand and grow the Shawano area,” Shingler wrote. “Jeanne continues to serve the City of Shawano as a member of the RDA Board, which published a 112-page downtown master plan to improve and enrich our community, its businesses and public spaces.”
Shingler added that once Cronce meets a person, she remembers them always.
“Jeanne has the unbelievable gift of remembering the names of every student, every youth she has crossed paths with over all these years,” Shingler wrote.
For Cronce, it’s not about the accolades when she sets her mind to improving the community. Cronce calls living in Shawano “a lifelong thrill” and said she’s always thought of ways to give back to the community, considering how much she has received.
“It’s overwhelming to think that I was chosen as Distinguished Citizen of the Year,” Cronce said. “I love Shawano. It’s my hometown. I’m born, raised and going to be buried here.”
Cronce touted a love of children as a reason that she gives so much to youth organizations and programs.
“I feel it is my honor to give back to each of these organizations because they have given me so much,” Cronce said. “St. James is where I started my education. I was in education as a teacher and principal, and I saw the need to help some of these kids that maybe don’t have the best home life and could use a little encouragement in their development. I just enjoy children, and I enjoy our community.”
Cronce’s civic service gave her a chance to support her neighbors, regardless of their age. One of her inspirations was her father, who had served on both the Shawano Common Council and the Shawano County Board of Supervisors. She saw what he did to help the area grow, and she swore to herself that, if she had the opportunity, she would mimic his efforts.
“As a mayor, I felt like I should be the community’s best cheerleader,” Cronce said. “I tried to do that and promote whatever we needed for our community. It just kind of evolved from working on the plan commission and then becoming the mayor, but prior to that, I had a lot of encouragement by my family to be part of the political scene.”
For others who are looking to give back to her community, Cronce recommended starting small and focusing on something they’re passionate about. She noted that people don’t have to serve on “every committee” or be dedicated to dozens of organizations to make a difference.
“Give as much time or as little time as you can to that organization, and you will see that you will get back more than what you ever give,” Cronce said. “It is such a rewarding feeling to know you are helping your community, others, individuals to have a better life. I think it’s so important that people give back. We’ve just been so blessed with opportunities in our lifetime — some more than others.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
Distinguished Citizen of the Year gives in spades
