West Central Initiative (WCI) has announced Mary Rotter, owner and director of Laker Prep Preschool and Early Childhood Centers, as the 2025 recipient of the Nancy Jost Early Childhood Advocacy Award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to improving the health, education, and well-being of the region’s youngest children.

Rotter spent a decade teaching kindergarten after earning her reading licensure at Augsburg College, grounding her in early literacy and child development. Her experience shaped a belief that quality early education should include movement, social-emotional learning, nutrition, and cultural diversity. Seeing a need in Detroit Lakes, Rotter and her husband Eric founded Laker Prep, now with three locations serving children from birth to kindergarten.

A strong advocate for children and educators, Mary leads monthly CPR trainings, co-founded a fund supporting child care providers, and serves on the Detroit Lakes School Board. She helped start a high school early childhood education track and played a key role in expanding the Detroit Lakes Children’s Powwow. Her leadership continues to make a lasting impact on families across west central Minnesota.

“Mary sees a problem and is immediately trying to figure out how to solve it,” said Nancy Jost. “She is such a vital part of the early childhood community and the Detroit Lakes community. Mary is so deserving of this award!”

About the Nancy Jost Early Childhood Advocacy Award

Named in tribute to Nancy Jost—a former child-care provider, teacher, and long-time Director of Early Childhood at WCI—the award celebrates individuals who, like Jost, have dedicated their lives to improving the health, education, and well-being of young children. Renowned for her grassroots organizing and advocacy at all levels, Nancy retired in 2024 but remains a guiding voice in early childhood development.

About West Central Initiative

WCI is a place-based nonprofit, community foundation, and regional development organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for White Earth Nation and Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties. Since its founding in 1986, WCI has provided funding, technical assistance, planning resources, and philanthropic services to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the region. The organization has provided more than $59 million in loans and approximately $82 million in grants to businesses and organizations. Learn more at wcif.org.