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Chamber Honored Local Leaders, Businesses And Organizations

The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce honored those in our community that went above and beyond in many categories during 2020 annual awards Banquet held Saturday night, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall.

The annual awards banquet presented a Beautification Award, Educator of the Year, First Responder Hero Award, Public Service Award, Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, Outstanding Young Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, Business of the Year and New Business of the Year.

The event began with a warm welcome from 2020 Sullivan Chamber of Commerce Board President Jonathan Trip, which was followed by Chamber Director Shawna Speaks, who welcomed Brady Vassalli to the stage to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Kecia Philpot, with performed the National Anthem.

Speaks then introduced 2019 Meramec Community Fair Queen Kya Harbour, who spoke to guests regarding her year serving as fair queen. Harbour highlighted the events she was proud to be a part of, including the Sullivan Regional Airport Fly-In and downtown Christmas Tree Lighting event among several others. Harbour also was honored to be able to serve as a role model for the young ladies in the community during her reign.

Following Harbour’s speech Pastor Leroy Wiese, The Rock Church, provided the blessing for the event.

Following the dinner, KTUI Radio host Sam Scott introduced several guests in attendance for the awards ceremony along with the 2019 Chamber Board of Directors.

Scott introduced Sullivan Mayor Dennis Watz, who highlighted the year in the City of Sullivan reporting that crime had been reduced by more than 10 percent in 2019, expressing his appreciation to the Sullivan Police Department and also that construction in the City of Sullivan totaled some $14.9 million.

Director Shawna Speaks returned to the podium and thanked those who served on the committee to provide such a great event and then turned the stage over to 2020 Meramec Community Fair Board President James Bartle who highlighted the 2019 MCF and discussed several events in 2020. Bartle reported that announcements on main stage entertainment are expected in the next week.

Following the speech the awards program began with 2019 Chamber President Natalie Parks being recognized for her service to the chamber. The award was presented by Shawna Speaks and Chris Philpot, Wal-Mart award sponsor.

Parks expressed her appreciation for serving the chamber and hoped for more success for the chamber in years to come.

Chamber 2020 President Tripp addressed those in attendance and encouraged everyone to help make the community a better place to live and work to provide volunteer service hours whether an hour or multiple hours it helps more than most will realize.

Following a live auction of donated items to the chamber by Auctioneer Ed Fadler, the awards program moved on to present its main awards.

TYanna Tillett, chamber board member and Beau Bartolotta announced the 2019 Beautification award nominees as: Coldwell Banker Reeves and Eagle Lanes and Fun Zone with the award being presented to Coldwell Bank Reeves for the efforts to work on beautification of downtown Sullivan.

Cody Davis, 2018 Educator of the Year and Barbie Hoke, First Community National Bank and award sponsor announced the 2019 Educator Award nomineesL Ashley Crump, Diane Wiese, Jason Volkmann, Tona Lewis, SHS Music Department-Chuch and Natalie Moore and Kylie Record. The award was presented to Chuck and Natalie Moore-SHS Music Department.

Kimberly Hurt, 2018 First Responder Hero Award winner and Franklin County Second District Commissioner Dave Hinson, award sponsor, presented the 2019 First Responder Hero Award Nominees that were: Trevor Woods, Stetson Zelch, Emily Lewis and Nathan Rhoads. The award was presented to Stetson Zelch.

2018 Public Service Award winner Chris Dace-Meramec Community Mission and Kyle Hofstetter, Town and Country Bank award sponsor announced the 2019 nominees for the Public Service Award that included Scenic Regional Library, Meramec Valley Fraternal Order of Eagles #3781 and Sullivan Fire Protection District Junior Firefighter Program/Academy with the award going to a tie with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Scenic Regional Library.

2019 Chamber Secretary Paula Lang presented the 2019 Young Woman of the Year award  with First State Community Bank ’s Jordan Tod, award sponsor with the nominees: Kay Harbour, Cloe Pohlman, Abbie Zelch, Payton Counts and Mallory Shetley with the award going to Cloe Pohlman.

Chamber Board member Rich White and Tod remained on the stage to present the 2019 Young Man of the Year award with the nominees: Jacob Hatcher, Andrew Funston, Evan Shetley, Tristan Brown and Ronin Thomure with the award going to Evan Shetley.

Natalie Counts, 2018 Woman of the Year and Chamber Board member Tracy Martin, standing in for award sponsor Dr. Debbie Depew, presented the 2019 Woman of the Year nominees: Kecia Philpot, Michelle Yoest, Rachel Shoemaker and Paula Lang with the award being presented to Rachel Shoemaker.

Alan Maston 2015 Man of the Year and Jari Dawson, Sinks Pharmcy, Man of the Year Award sponsor presented the nominees for Man of the Year: Sam Scott, Brady Vassalli and Scott Micke with the award going to Brady Vassalli.

Jennifer Newbanks, 2018 Business of the Year award winner was joined on stage by Robert Scott, KTUI, sponsor of the Business of the Year Award and presented the two nominees: Condition One Crossfit and Peace of Mind with the award being presented to Condition One Crossfit.

The final award of the evening was the 2019 New Business of the Year award which was presented by Natalie Parks, 2019 Chamber President and Donnie Greenwalt, 2018 New Business winner who announced the nominees The Secret Kitchen,. HD Real Estate and Laura Auto Group. The award was presented to HD Real Estate.

Sullivan Independent News

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