Gautschy is a member of the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau and volunteers at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri; with Big Brothers Big Sisters; United Way's Read to Succeed program; and at the Missouri Veterans Home. She has participated in Relay for Life and attends church and Bible study. She graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Ill., with a bachelor's degree in journalism and sociology, and has worked as a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian's special publications since 2008.

"Through my job, and my other community involvement, I'm always hearing about needs in the Cape Girardeau area. I can't stand to see a person hurting or struggling - I want to help everyone! If I had 10 extra hours a week to volunteer, I would spend it with Habitat for Humanity. I did Habitat in college, and would still like to get involved here in Cape Girardeau. I'd also love to spend more time where I already volunteer. There's always more I can do."