WestCare

Laughlin Chamber announces judges, finalists for awards event
Contributed
May 22, 2008

LAUGHLIN - Ten local residents and community leaders were asked to take part in one of the most difficult, but integral jobs necessary in the 11th Annual Community Achievement Awards - to sit in judgment of more than 88 nominations.

The awards program, presented by the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, recognizes dozens of non-profits and public servants each year for their efforts to make the Colorado River communities a better place to live.

Tony Dias, Sarah Morga, Sal Tuipelehake, Charlotte Michaels, Lynn Neufeld, Emily Montague, Sultana Hall, Brad Mays, Tim Atkins, and Sgt. Novelt Mack, Jr. are tasked with filtering through all of the nominations submitted for this year.

All finalistswill take part in a video production; receive professional photos, plaques, certificates and commemorative bottles of wine.

Finalists are:

Tourism

Cherie Westbrook, sales representative, Laughlin Visitors Bureau; Sean Hammond, vice president of player development, Aquarius Casino Resort; Lloyd Shires, director of hotel operations and marketing, Riverside Resort; Chuck & Susan Winn, volunteers, Laughlin.

Educator of the Year

Eugene Jamie, Bennett Elementary School, Laughlin; Cheryl Wilhelm, Mohave High School vocal music director, Bullhead City.

Educational Program

Ballet Folklorico, Bullhead City Jr. High School; Teen Maze, Colorado River Union High School District; RYLA through the Rotary Club of Laughlin; Healthy Woman Program, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center.

Public Service

Leslie Blaydes, Bullhead City Parks & Recreation Commission; Tim & Sandy Long, The Long Family Open House Can Food Drive; Cindy Frizelle, Co-founder of Military Moms Support of the Tri-State Colorado River Area.

Civic Service

Tom Sockwell, Mohave County supervisor; Carolyn Johnson, Clark County Parks & Recreation, Laughlin; Tim Ernster, city manager, Bullhead City; Alan Conklin, Nevada State Parks supervisor.

Humanitarian

Thomas Grace, business owner, Bullhead City; Lauren Terry, honorary chairperson for Relay for Life; Joe Buzzelli, principal, Diamondback Elementary School.

Community service

Los Matadores de Bullhead City; Bullhead City Elks Lodge #2408; Kiwanis Club of Greater Laughlin; SNTC Silver Rider, Laughlin.

Social Service

Family to Family, Family Resource Center, Laughlin; WestCare of Arizona; Riviera Baptist Church; Emergency Aide Program, Bullhead City; We Care Cancer Center, Bullhead City.

Emergency Services

Mike Kruse, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Laughlin substation; Shawn Williams, Clark County Fire Department; Lyle Tiffany, Bullhead City Police Department; John Jones, Bullhead City Fire Department

Communications/

Public Relations

Paul Lavoie, E-Press News; Jeff Mangum, Mohave Valley Daily News, Bullhead City; Gary Sheler, KLBC TV-2 media consultant, Laughlin.

Citizen of the Year

Rick Southey, Chief, Bullhead City Fire Department; Nancy Sinagoga, superintendent, Colorado River Union High School District; Debbie Dauenhauer, executive director, SNTC - Silver Rider, Laughlin

Youth Citizen

of the Year

Clayton Farber, Mohave High School; Dawn Wolff, Mohave High School; Laura Robards, Mohave High School.

Small Business

of the Year

Mid Valley Auto Center & Towing, Bullhead City; Premier Travel/Caffe Delight, Laughlin; First National Bank, Laughlin; Bullhead Health Club, Bullhead City.

Large Business

of the Year

Harrah's Laughlin, Laughlin; Valley View Medical Center, Fort Mojave.

In May, the judges conduct 10-minute personal interviews with each of the finalists and the top achievers in each category will be named at the formal Black & White Ball set at the Avi Casino Resort in Laughlin on June 14.

Tickets are on sale at the Chamber for the 500-seat event in June.

The Community Achievement Awards have sold out for nine years. Call 702-298-2214 or 800-227-5245.

WestCare is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization