For the first time since its inception, the Achiever program celebrated the accomplishments of a couple, Dennis and Terry Munger of Alger county. The award was given to the Mungers because they are "a beautiful example of a couple working toward self-sufficiency," DSS Director Gerald Miller said at the ceremony. Governor John Engler also attended the even in the U.P., another first for the Achiever program.

The Mungers had been on assistance in the early '80s until Dennis found a job with Lakosky Logging and Terry went to work part-time at a nursing home. In the summer of 1990, Dennis decided to attend Northern Michigan University and work part-time, hoping to make a better life for his family. Things became more difficult than anticipated and the Mungers had to apply for AFDC to help make ends meet.

At the end of each school year Dennis returns to work full-time and their AFDC case is closed. During 1994, the Mungers began receiving aid in February and their case was closed in June.

Today Dennis still works as a pulpcutter at the logging firm and Terry is employed as a dietary aide at a local nursing home. Changes, however, are part of their future plans. Dennis has applied for a position at a local prison and Terry is going to get her GED and apply for a better job in Munising.