Chamber of Commerce honors Outstanding Citizens

By: Sherrie Williams
The highlight of the Iowa Park Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet held Saturday evening at the First Baptist Church Family Center was the announcement of the four outstanding Iowa Park citizens and the outstanding business.

Those receiving 2008 Outstanding awards are: Randy Fulbright honored as Outstanding Citizen of the Year; Outstanding Business of the Year went to Brad Wynn owner of Brad’s Quick Change and Used Cars; Marilyn Hale was honored as Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year; Outstanding Educator of the Year is Stephanie Roberts; and Zach Davis is Outstanding Student of the Year.

During the awards presentation some of the statements made about the winners are as follows:

Outstanding Citizen; Fulbright is deserving of this award because of his dedication to the citizens of the community. Of the 913 emergency calls in 2008, he responded to 883. As an owner and operator of a small business in town, he routinely closes his shop and responds to the calls of a citizen in distress, regardless of the time of day, nature of emergency, or the presence of customers at his business. There are also numerous meetings for both the city and county that require him to close his business in order to attend.

Fulbright is very mindful of spending the citizen’s tax dollars and is reasonable for spearheading the initiation of various sources of grant money which was subsequently approved. These grants saved the city of Iowa Park and its citizens almost $200,000 for equipment in 2008.

Outstanding Business:
While bringing two businesses to our community, Wynn still finds time to go above and beyond to give his customers the best service. It may be a small task such as adding antifreeze to a vehicle or even closing his shop while he picks up or drops off a customer’s vehicle at no extra charge.

And his community involvement should not be forgotten as he is always willing to donate to local fundraisers and participate in local events.

Outstanding Senior Citizen: Marilyn Hale volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels for Friendly Door Senior Citizen’s Center and is always ready to assist on the spur of the moment, when needed. She is very active in her community and wears many hats in her church as well. She is also active in the Homebound Ministry, visiting people who are not able to get out and is a volunteer at the Clothes Closet, and serves on the Mission’s Committee. She is a charter member of the Amity Study Club and reads weekly at Kidwell Elementary.

Outstanding Educator: Ms. Roberts has been at W.F. George Middle School 13 years, teaching computer and journalism, and is the cheerleader sponsor. She also teaches three UIL academic events.

Ms. Roberts truly loves her job and her students. She has a talent for working with young people and making them feel comfortable and confident about themselves.
She works long hours, as well as weekends and during the summer with her cheerleaders. For the second year they have been invited to the National competition for American Cheerleader Association in Fort Worth. Her squad placed third overall last year.

Because of the cost of being a cheerleader can sometimes prevent some students from trying out, Ms. Roberts has developed a series of fundraisers so she can keep the cost down, which allows all the girls to be able to tryout and not worry about the financial side of being a cheerleader.

For the past several years she has put together the middle school yearbook and last year the yearbook won the Award of Honor from the Interscholastic League Press Conference. She and her students also helped Kidwell do their yearbook last year.

Ms. Roberts also assists conducting the summer reading program at the middle school. She is an excellent example for her students. They know that hard work pays off in the finished product. Ms. Roberts is an outstanding teacher, mentor, and adviser to all her students.

Outstanding Student: Zachary Davis is a senior at Iowa Park High School where he has served as Student Body President, Student Council president, FFA vice-president, secretary and treasurer, Interact president, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society vice-president. He also placed second at the FFA State Agrisciance Fair and was September Rotary Student of the Month. He also has earned 4-H Gold Star, 4-H “I Dare you” award, 4-H Silver Star, 4-H Bronze Star, IPHS Band Chaplain and Section Leader, Wichita County 4-H reporter, and second place at the FFA State Agriscience Fair.

Zac is also active in the community serving on the Mayors Youth Task Force, helping with Meals on Wheels, participated in a 30 hour Famine Fundraiser, and serving dinner to the homeless. He also participates in raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Toys for Tots, and helping the Rotary Club put out flags, cleaned highway with adopt a highway, and helped start paper recycle drive.

In addition Zac applied and received a coveted appointment to be a congressional page, sponsored by Mac Thornberry. He served as a Congressional Page in Washington DC through the first summer session of congress in 2008. With all these activities he is still in the top 10 of his class.
Before the awards were presented Ray Stone, the creator of the “Cowboy Report” entertained guests with stories about Dallas Cowboys and their families.

Following the awards the 2009 Chamber of Commerce officers were announced. They are: Jonathan Clubb, president; Mike Price, vice-president; Ruth James, second vice-president; and Jeff Rhoades, is the outgoing president.

Other board members are: Richard McIlroy, Dana Ross, Eddie Williams, Steve Moody, Jerry Baird, Joe Hughes, Gene Jordan, Glena Via, Kathy Hicks, Jim Webb, Mike Leamon, Joe Singer, Kenneth Via, Guy Traylor, John Dulaney, Steve Smith, and Ouida Gartman.