Superior Hero Tales: 2024 NCTA Award Winners

October 23, 2025

Each year, the North Country Trail Association honors volunteers who have given exceptional service on the Trail, including to their affiliate trails like the Superior Hiking Trail. Four of the SHTA’s most dedicated and impactful volunteers were honored at the NCTA’s annual celebration this year. These are all dedicated people working behind the scenes, giving generously of their time and skills, to preserve and protect the Trail so people they will never meet can forge powerful connections with nature on the SHT. They are Superior Heroes!

Bill Dryborough – Distinguished Service Award

Whether it’s hanging a single sign or flagging miles of new trail, Bill Dryborough has always been that person that you could call and ask, “Could you do this?” and he’d always say, “Yes!”

Bill helped scout, flag, and GPS much of the route of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) in the Duluth area, particularly the final leg of the Trail between Duluth and the Wisconsin border connecting the SHT to the North Country Trail. He also scouted a significant reroute in the Gooseberry area. A former SHTA staff member recalls that he was the best all-around volunteer on the Gooseberry project.

Bill served on the SHTA Board of Directors from 2005 to 2010, and brought his positive spirit to all he did. For more than a decade, Bill also led many guided hikes, helping get the word out about the existence of the SHT and building up the love of the Trail in those who attended his hikes.

Since scaling down from on-the-ground work, Bill has continued to help with events. He transported gear and donations for SHTA’s Hike Fest. He continues to be a regular volunteer at tabling events year after year. Bill’s love of the Trail and SHT community has shone brightly through all he’s done. The Superior Hiking Trail would not be the same without without his dedicated and distinguished service during these past decades.

John Kohlstedt – Distinguished Service Award

When a person first meets John, the sparkle in his eye and his smile are what you see.

John served on the Superior Hiking Trail Association Board of Directors from 2000-2007 and 2012-2018, bringing a much valued voice of volunteerism to the board. He was one of those board members who found it important to stop in and visit the SHTA staff if he was passing through town.

During his tenure on the board, there was a tremendous amount of new trail construction and bridge building. He was a member of the Trail Committee during that time, giving guidance to the completion of the SHT. But John is not just a big picture guy. He has also been a dedicated section adopter since 1989. His meticulous attention to his section was an early inspiration for what volunteer adopters could get done. He would recruit others to help him and teach them the skills needed to keep the Trail in great shape. John led many guided hikes, particularly in winter. One notable snowshoe hike had participants sinking up to their thighs in the snow, but still loving it!

During the Hike Fest years, he served as the liaison between SHTA and the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, where those events were held. John’s enthusiasm and welcoming spirit are as important a gift to the Trail community as his expertise and dedication have been during his decades of service to the Trail.

Will Nordmark – Sweep Award

If there’s something new happening on the Superior Hiking Trail, Will Nordmark is the first to step up!

When the SHTA proposed a new program several years ago – Trail Stewardship Teams – Will offered to be one of the first team leaders. Twice a year since then, he has recruited, organized, and led a group of up to 20 people to maintain 13 miles of trail and three campsites.

During their busy trips, Will never forgets the most important part of working on the Trail – building community. He helps organize group meals and even coordinates lodging – a real feat on the North Shore.

Two years ago, SHTA started another new program, providing dinners to volunteers in camp for our large-group, multi-day projects. Once again, Will stepped up right away into the new role of Camp Cook, preparing meals for dozens of volunteers. Over the past two years, he has helped build and refine that program by evaluating menus and providing process feedback. And food is not the only thing Will serves up in camp. His cheerful presence makes other volunteers, particularly newcomers, feel welcome and appreciated for the work they do on the Trail.

Regardless of his role, Will helps build community by being the support and the glue – bringing folks together, letting them know how important they are to the Trail, and using his volunteer efforts to support theirs.

Becky Zrimsek – Leadership Award

Becky served on the SHTA Board of Directors from 2018-2024, but her love for the Trail started thirty years ago as a hiker and outdoor enthusiast who visited the Trail for the first time while it was still under construction.

During those six years, she provided strategic guidance and added a creative spark to SHTA’s fundraising and communications efforts. As the SHTA’s previous Board Chair, Becky traversed pandemic planning, implementation of a strategic plan, executive director leadership transitions, and contentious project permitting. 

What she tackled during those years is not nearly as impressive as how she handled it. Becky encapsulates servant leadership. She is a calm, thoughtful and steady leader who builds bridges with everyone she meets. Becky’s day job is Assistant Vice President of External Relations for Carlton College. She is a busy professional, but she carved out time to help mentor SHTA staff as they built new relationships with existing supporters and welcomed new folks into our trail community. Becky is generous with her time and expertise, always willing to share her knowledge in an inviting and inclusive manner.

Becky leads by example and shows up. She continues to be a reliable sounding board for SHTA staff. She played a critical role in the transition of the executive director in the midst of COVID. This same energy for relationship building was shared with her fellow Board members, where she helped to onboard new members, lead the Executive Committee, and coordinate team building events.

In addition to her Board Chair responsibilities, she offered her expertise on the Fund Development Committee and helped lead the development of SHTA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Most notable, she was a working member of each Committee or special project during her time on the board. Becky rolled up her sleeves and provided meaningful input to every SHTA activity she took on.  

Becky completed her board service of six years in 2024. Becky is leaving a legacy of professionalism and capacity building with the Association and we are so grateful for the positive impacts she has had on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Our Superior Hero Tales series recognizes the work of SHTA volunteers whose service and stewardship of the Trail have made exceptional and foundational impacts on the Trail for our entire community. From all of us at the SHTA, thank you Bill, John, Will and Becky for everything you’ve given to protect and improve the Trail, and and create deeper relationships between people and nature.