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Citizens name pride of Pleasanton at annual awards
Sue Brown Elizondo, Editor - Wednesday, March 03, 2010
The peacock feathers festooned on the tables at the 59th annual awards were a preview of the pride shown from the sponsoring clubs of Pleasanton on honoring this year’s recipients at the yearly event.
A warm welcome by first vice president Pat Cox opened the evening’s social hour at Lone Star Lodge followed with an invocation by Pastor Tom Gibbons of the Pleasanton United Methodist Church.
Background music was provided by Joe Vickers while attendees and honorees snacked on hors d’ouvres and drinks.
Second Vice President Wade McBee recognized the dignitaries in the crowd and introduced the speaker for the evening, William Myers of San Antonio Planning Advisors. This group has also presented a plan to the City of Pleasanton. Some of their recommendations are: appoint a planning and zoning commission as soon as possible. review subdivision regualtions and to adopt a sign control ordinance.
Officers for this year are: Laura Ricks, president; Pat Cox, 1st vice president; Wade McBee, 2nd vice president; Ginnie Otto, treasurer; and Marueen Spruill, secretary. Directors are: Claudia Cordova, Shauna Garza, Jess Kemp, Tressy Merrill, Charles Pena, Lupe Rangel, Aubrey Schulze, Brandi Vega-Villalobos, Lucinda Vickers and Kelllie Vrana.
The Chamber’s executive manager is Jessie Schievelbein,
Citizens honored were:
Man of the Year
Clint Powell
Sponsored by Pleasanton Lions Club
Clint Powell graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1988 and served in the U.S. Air Force reserves in both Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Restore Hope. He graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1997 and received his MBA at UTSA in 2005. He started his own business Powell Havins Financial Services in September 2001. He and his wife Ami have two children, son Hayden, 9, and daughter Morgan, 7.
Upon returning to Pleasanton, he became active in Lion’s Club, Young Farmers, Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. As a Lion he held many offices including President and has been chair/co-chair of the Wild Game Dinner for three years. He has been a great attribute to Pleasanton Lion’s with his YES I CAN attitude. Currently he is 2nd Vice President.
As a Young Farmer, over the last 10 years Clint has held positions such as President, Vice President and Treasurer. He helps with the rodeo and equipment auction every year.
Clint has been a Chamber of Commerce treasurer and has re-ignited interest in the Chili Cook-Off and played a major role in getting the bull riding event to the Cowboy Homecoming.
Clint is a strong supporter of many local activities. He has supported the local Market Days by attending and selling beer. He has been a buyer for many kids at the Atascosa County Livestock show. He has endured looking like a hippy on two different occasions to donate hair to Locks of Love.
In 2008, he became a City Councilman where he has been an advocate of the new Community Center and Library downtown.
Clint believes in doing what is right even if it’s not the easiest thing to do. He has a passion for making Pleasanton the best place to live! Clint is a guy that you can always count on when you need a hand. You can find Clint most weekends hosting some gathering at his home, flying his airplane, roping or working cattle.
Woman of the Year
Lucinda Vickers
Sponsored by Pleasanton Rotary Club
If anyone in Pleasanton or Atascosa County has recieved charitable assistance or benefitted from a civic project in the last 20 yrs, chances are that Lucinda Vickers was involved.
She was once honored as half of couple of the year in 1991 along with her husband Joe Vickers.
Lucinda, or Cindy, was also President of the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Clinic for 15 years and was named as outstanding volunteer for the Greater San Antonio area.
She has served as co-director for Studio Players since 1995 and is a current director for the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce now serving her second term.
Cindy is a current director for CASA of South Texas as well as a current member of the Pleasanton Lions Club where she serves as a member of the Wild Game Dinner committee. While as a member of Lions Club she was the first female president.She has helped with the Mobile Eye Screening Unit, Cowboy Homecoming activities, and at the Texas Lions Camp for Children in Kerrvile.
Each year she is a co-sponsor for the Charity Fund Floral Extravaganza that has raised more than $75,000 for local charities.
She is an active member of the Christmas Village. She is also sponsor for the annual Toys for Tots Christmas Gala.
Cindy is an active member of St Andrew’s Catholic Church. She also serves on the Attorney Disciplinary Committee
She was born in Denton and grew up in Garland but spent most of her school years in the Chicago area, she graduated from Fremd High School in Palatine, IL in 1979 and was Salutatorian of her graduating class of 1200 students. She returned to Texas to attend Baylor, where she graduated with honors in three years with a Degree in Speech Communications.
She continued her education at Baylor Law School, after finishing law school in two years and passing the bar exam she settled in Pleasanton with her husband and soon established her law practice.
While serving our communinty she has managed to open two businesses, Red Crown Coffee House, and A Rey of Flowers in addtion to her own private law office which she has had for 23 years. All of this while serving as Atascosa County’s first female County Attorney.
She is married to Joe Vickers and has a daughter, Mary Jane.
Teenager of the Year
Katie Elmer
Sponsored by Alpha Chi Chi
Katie Elmer was born in San Antonio in 1992 and resides in Pleasanton with her parents and siblings. She is a very dedicated, hard working and generous young lady. For someone who maintains such a very busy schedule, she always has a kind and pleasant attitude and is always willing to help others.
Katie participated in Basketball from 9th through 12th grade earning the most improved player award in 9th, JV Captain in 11th and varsity in 12th. She was involved in track in 9th and 10th grade and Varsity Letterman in Tennis in 11th and 12th.
Her academic awards include the Superintendent’s Academic Award from 9th through 11th, Outstanding math student 9th through 11th, was the highest ranking Sophomore and Junior girl. She also received the DUKE TIPS State Recognition Award and was also Executive Woman International Scholar.
She’s been in the National Honor Society from 120th through 12th grade and served as Treasurer during her senior year. She was Sophomore Class President and has also been involved in LEAD from grades 9-12th. She organized the PHS food drive to benefit ACCEPT and Blue Santa Toy Drive. She attended MADD Leadership camp and has been in student council from 9th through 12th and was the Treasurer during 10th grade. She’s a member of Christ 4 Life from 9th through 12th grade and a leader during three of those years and has also cleaned and organized the storage room for the Salvation Army. She’s been in FCA from 10th through 12th grade, and has been very involved in cheerleading and Pep Squad from 9th through 11th, Captain in 9th and 10th and Varsity cheerleader in 11th and 12th and earned UCA All-American Cheerleader. She’s been involved in the School Health/Safe and Drug Free Advisory Council Committee 9th through 12th as well as a Career and Technology Educations Committee Member in 11th and 12th. As PHS Kick-off Mentor in 12th grade, she performed 6 hours of community service and attended the Texas Teen Leadership Summit for Anti-tobacco.
She has done so much to serve her community. She volunteered 180 hours of community service with the special ed class at the Primary, was a field day volunteer at the Primary and Elementary schools in which she assisted Coach Eichman, handed out blue ribbons and even served as the target for the water balloon toss. She was on the Chamber of Commerce Cowboy Homecoming Court, coached Little Dribblers basketball 5th and 6th grade girls who were undefeated in 2008, assisted at the Go Pink, Go Wild Breast Cancer Gala, and participated in Hermann Son’s Dance for 12 years.
She’s worked as a CPR certified Lifeguard at the Jourdanton pool 2008/2009, and at the Pleasanton pool in 2009. From March 2008 to this year she worked at Red Crown and has also been catering assistant and has babysat from 2006 to present.
As if this were not enough to wear a young person out, she has also done a great deal at church. She’s gone on mission trips to Kenya Africa with Cowboy Fellowship in which she participated in water well installation, education and outreach at schools and orphanages, installation of playground equipment and helping to build a schoolhouse for elementary age students. On her FBC mission trip to Utah, she helped repair church grounds, did yard work and other activities. She’s been a FBC youth counselor and lifeguard at HEB pre-teen camp, volunteered with VBS, Fall Festival, Church Bible Time Fashion Show and has even done caroling at nursing homes. Also, for FBC Youth Camp mission work she helped clear brush from an elderly disabled man’s home.
Pastor Pete of Cowboy Fellowship wrote a lovely letter in which he had so many great things to say about her. Some of what he wrote is that she’s a positive influence and role model for young people and has a very high moral and ethical standard that she practices in her own life. She’s honest and is truly a young woman of integrity and character and an outstanding leader. He said she’s fun to be around and work with and during the mission trip to Africa while working in some of the toughest and dirties situations, she never complainedthroughout their trip.
Because of her hard work, outstanding achievements, tremendous effort and dedication, I would like to present this year’s Teenager of the Year award to Katie Elmer. Katie is the daughter of Dr. Edward and Laura Elmer.
Business Person of the Year
Cindy Carr
Sponsored by Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce
Our 2009 Outstanding Business Person of the Year began her business endeavors early in her life. At age 8, she and her best friend started a cookie-baking company with a simple marketing strategy; they passed out warm samples of chocolate chip cookies in their neighborhood, along with homemade business cards! The strategy worked and soon, they were swamped with business.
Formerly a San Antonio banker, she moved to Pleasanton so that her husband could livescloser to his work. Pleasanton’s friendly, small-town setting fulfilled her ideal for raising a family and getting involved.
When she discovered that a gift shop, located in a quaint, old building on North Main Street, was for sale, she pounced on it, viewing it as a valid business venture as well as a vehicle by which to become more involved in the community. As a business owner, she champions the downtown area-even adding the tagline “located in historic downtown Pleasanton” on all her advertising materials, and she looks forward to the day when downtown is bustling around the new community center and more businesses.
This businesswoman works each day to expand service in every phase of her life, from her customers at the shop to the people in her community. She exemplifies an attitude of kindheartedness and respect for all. And although these principles she has always followed, the current economic downturn lends them a new importance and priority in her life. She feels that it’s more important now than ever that her customers know how much their business is appreciated-regardless of how much they spend.
Community involvement is a natural extension of this woman’s service mindset outside her store. With a busy husband and two children (ages 3 and 1) her life is beyond full. Yet she prioritizes time for community involvement and service. Serving the board of CASA of South Texas, she is passionate in supporting the organization’s efforts to protect children.
Cindy also uses her store for community outreach by hosting special events or by contributing merchandise for charitable organizations, such as South Texas Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Woman.
The loyalty of her staff and local patrons truly demonstrates the camaraderie and fondness that has developed for the businesswoman. Many ask the question,” What is the heart of a successful business?” After meeting her and her counterparts, one can clearly see that for them, doing business with your heart is the only answer.
Couple of the Year
J. D. and Millie Kvapil
Sponsored by Woman’s Club of Pleasanton
The couple are both native Texans born in Runnela County near the community of Rowena in West Texas.
They met in 1957 when he was in the military and she was attending school in San Angelo. After he completed 8 years of military service, they married in 1960 in San Angelo. Later they moved to Abilene where he took a job with city government and a contracting company. Their only child, Wade, was born in 1962. After their child started school, she took a job starting out part time and eventually elevated to service manager and credit manager with Sears Roebuck Company.
The couple is very active in the community in their church work, Chamber of Commerce and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was awarded Woman of the Year and Cook of the Year.
After their son graduated from high school in 1980 and began college at Texas Tech University, she was offered a job transferring to Liberal, Kansas. In Liberal she managed a larger Sears store and he took a job at Montgomery Ward. They later bought a Froucher store selling farm and ranch supplies and appliances. While in Liberal, they were both very active in their church, Elks Lodge, Chamber of Commerce and Beta Sigma Phi. They retired in 2003.
The couple moved back to Texas in 2006 after she became very ill and their son asked them to come home. He graduated from college and is a regional manager for Big Lots Stores in the South Texas area. The couple chose Pleasanton and Atascosa County for their new home for the climate and close proximity to San Antonio, but mostly for the friendliness and acceptance of the townspeople.
She is a member of the Brush Country Republican Party, of which he is an associate member. They both work election polls and assist in political campaigns. She is also a Precinct Judge. Both are Longhorn Museum Society members where she is on the Board of Directors. Both work the Yesteryear Festival and help guide when needed. This couple helps with the Christmas Village booth at the annual Poteet Strawberry Festival and both are very active in their church at St. Luke’s in Loire where is is the president of the Pastoral Council and she serves on the committee. She is an active member of the Woman’s Club of Pleasanton and loves to entertain.
Both are avid motorcyclists and belong to numerous local and national organizations. They enjoy riding and stopping to browse antique shops on the way.
They love to spend time with their three grandchildren. This September they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Teacher of the Year
Lela Palmer
Sponsored by PVFD
Auxiliry (In memory of David R. Cardwell)
Lela Palmer was born in Poteet, Texas, on August 30, 1942, the third child of Jake Oron (J.O.) and Genevieve Scales Boone. She grew up on the Paul White Humble Oil camp, located five miles south of Freer, Texas. She attended Freer Schools all twelve years, graduating salutatorian from FHS in 1960. Her dream was to attend The University of Texas at Austin, but her high school counselor and her parents decided she should begin at a small school because she was used to being a big fish in a small pond. So, she applied to and was accepted at Texas College of Arts and Industries (Texas A&I) in Kingsville. She had intentions of transferring to UT after a year, but that didn’t happen. She got a job in the infirmary and settled into school work, dorm life and the university experience. She was accepted into the Gold Jackets Honor Society which was an honorary woman s sorority for leadership and scholarship. She was also a member of Beta Gamma Sorority where she served as treasurer. Lela graduated cum laude in December 1963, but didn’t get to walk the stage until May 1964.
Lela moved to Poteet to live with her grandmother and was hired by Poteet ISD in January 1964, as a third grade teacher. In February, she went to Pleasanton with a friend and was introduced to Wilbur Palmer. They hit it off well and were married a short three months later on May 30, 1964. She was hired by Pleasanton ISD in the fall of 1966 and taught in Leming for a year before settling into first grade at Pleasanton. In January 1966, her and Wilbur’s first daughter, Leigh, was born, and in November 1968, their second daughter, Audra, was born. Lela continued teaching first grade until health issues required her to retire in 1980.
With one daughter already at The University of Texas and the other daughter beginning there in the fall of 1987, Lela wanted to go back to teaching. She was re-hired by Pleasanton ISD as the Homebound teacher for the district. For twenty years, Lela was the only Homebound teacher for the entire district at all levels K-12. She was required to visit each student at their home, every day. There were many times she would have 10+ students enrolled in the program which she saw on a daily basis, traveling to each home within the district’s boundaries, amounting to as much as 70 miles a day. In 2007, the program changed and Lela became the Homebound Facilitator; coordinating three other teachers as well as remaining the elementary teacher for the program.
Over the course of a combined 35 years teaching, Lela has had a remarkable impact on the lives of many children.They in turn, have had a lasting impression on Lela, as well. As a first grade teacher, Lela had the pleasure of molding the minds of many children, teaching them to read, write and add. There was one student that Lela will never forget. He was a Korean boy that was put in her class and didn’t speak English, nor did his parents. After a year of instruction, parent teacher conferences with interpreters, and meetings with administrators, the young boy was fluent in English. Upon his graduation from PHS, where he was ranked third, he wrote a very dear letter to Lela expressing his gratitude to her for teaching him to read and write. That letter is precisely why Lela teaches. She knows that, regardless of letters or expressions of gratitude, she has made a difference in a child s life.
As the Homebound teacher, Lela has experienced teaching on a completely different level. Venturing out, into the homes of students has been an experience, to say the least. She has encountered some desperately poor situations, some dangerous situations and some truly shocking situations. However, what they all have in common is a student in need of an education. Lela has become very attached to some of her students and has cried many a tear at the loss of some due to cancer or muscular dystrophy, yet rejoiced at the recovery of others. Venturing into the homes of children has allowed Lela to realize her importance as a teacher. Without an education, some of these children would have no chance in the world and Lela makes sure that an education is what they receive. She has fought to keep many of these children in the school system, despite overwhelming odds against some of them. She encourages, strengthens and educates them because of her love of teaching and children.
When not at her teaching job, Lela helps run WALL S with her husband, Wilbur. Together, they enjoy attending their grandchildren’s various activities and spending time with family and friends. Wilbur and Lela have been married almost 46 years and have a marvelous family consisting of daughter Leigh and husband Dan Arguijo and their two daughters, Cierra and Micaela and their daughter Audra and husband James Locke and their children, Linzey and Preston Weden and Trip and William Locke. They also dote on their one-year-old puppy, Paddi.
Senior Citzen of the Year
Dr. Gerald B. Phillips
Sponsored by STRMC Senior Circle
Dr. Gerald B. Phillips has been a kind, caring, and compassionate member of the community for over 50 years. He never hesitates to help those in need, and is always available when anyone asks for his assistance. He built his life around God, family, and community.
Gerald Phillips was born in a small two bedroom house in Jourdanton, Texas in 1935. After graduating from Poteet High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Christell Myers. He completed his undergraduate studies in three years and went on to obtain his Medical Doctorate from Southwestern Medical School in 1959. During his time in Medical School, he taught himself to speak Spanish, allowing him the ability to better communicate with the citizens of Atascosa County. He began practicing medicine as a General Practitioner in Poteet in 1960. He moved his practice to Pleasanton in 1964 and earned his Board Certification in Family Medicine in 1974. He has been taking care of the citizens of Atascosa County as their family physician for almost 50 years. During the first 25 years of his practice he provided medical care in the Emergency Room and also performed General Surgery. He enjoyed delivering babies for 26 years. He served as the County Health Officer from 1965 until he retired from his office practice in 2007. He has been an Active Member of the Medical Staff of the local hospital since 1960, first at Pleasanton Hospital, then, at what is now South Texas Regional Medical Center, formerly Tri-City Community Hospital and Mercy Hospital. He has served as Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Medical Staff Surgical Care Coordinator. He served on many different hospital committees over the years and was a member of the Advisory Committee of the Vocational School of Nursing at Tri-City Community Hospital. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Mercy Hospital and the Atascosa Hospital Association. He has also served as the County Jail Physician since 1982, seeing inmates in his office in Pleasanton, and, since retiring, seeing the inmates in the jail. When the local Poteet EMS expanded to serve the entire county in 1976, Dr. Phillips was asked to serve as the Medical Director. He continues to serve in that capacity today. He was on the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and served as a Preceptor for the Medical Students for many years. He currently serves as the Medical Director of two local Nursing Homes. Nutrition and vitamin therapy have long been a passion for Dr. Phillips, and he maintains an alternative care office in Pleasanton. He is a member of the Texas Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Practice, and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Having the ability to pay has never been a requirement for securing Dr. Phillips’ services. He has never turned anyone away when they needed medical care, and in some cases has even given patients money out of his own pocket, in addition to free medical care. One year he had a young mother in the hospital who could not afford to buy gifts for her three children. Dr. Phillips went to Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve and bought clothes and shoes for each child. Another time, an older woman could not pay her bill, but would not accept “free care”. In order to honor the woman’s wishes and preserve her dignity, he accepted her “payment” of a box full of hand made sun bonnets. That summer, Dr. Phillips was seen at the Cowboy Homecoming Festivities handing out the bonnets to many lucky visitors. His compassion for his patients was evident in the fact that he often made house calls on those patients who did not have the ability, or the means, to get to the doctor’s office.
Many years ago, Dr. Phillips organized a group of local physicians, forming the Physicians’ Group. This group uses their resources to contribute to the purchase of animals at the Atascosa County Livestock Show. Dr. Phillips attends the auction every year and makes a personal contribution to the sale of several animals.
Dr. Phillips was a founding member of the Jaycees, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, serving as President in 1967. He was honored as the Outstanding Young Citizen in 1968. He was elected to the Pleasanton School Board in 1970, where he served for six years. He held the office of President of the Board for three years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Atascosa Savings Association from 1973 to 1990. He has been a member of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association for 40 years. In 1999, along with Cathy West, he established the local chapter of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. He served as a CASA Board Member for many years.
Dr. Phillips has been a member of Community Bible Chapel since 1983, serving as an Elder from 1985 to 2008. He taught a Sunday School Class for many years. In 1982, when the new Jail opened, Dr. Phillips started a Jail Ministry, holding a Bible Study Class for the inmates every Sunday morning. He continues this Bible Study class today. In 1987 he organized the “Just Say Yes” Youth Rally to help the youth of Atascosa County say Yes to a relationship with Jesus and No to drugs.
He is a man of many accomplishments. He is proud to live and work in Atascosa County. His contributions to this community have spread across five generations. He will tell you that he is retired now. But anyone who knows him, knows that he is only taking life a little slower. He continues to touch the lives of those around him. Only these days, he does it at a leisurely pace.
Young Citizen of the Year
Aubrey Olle Smith
Sponsored by Pleasanton Young Farmers
Aubrey Olle Smith was born Oct 21, 1976 in San Antonio to Michael Olle and Coral Gasch of Pleasanton.
Born and raised in Pleasanton it was at the age of 8 that she would beg her Mom to take her to the local nursing homes so she could visit and make gifts for the elderly.
She attended and graduated Pleasanton High School where she was involved in FFA, Drill Team and Student Council. In 1994-1995 she served as Cowboy Homecoming Queen for Pleasanton where she attended over 15 parades and received numerous awards and recognition.
Aubrey started working at Pleasanton HEB in 1993 at 16 years old. This was her first job. She quickly worked her way through various positions within the company. She received the HEB scholarship in 1996 and attended Palo Alto College where she received an Associates degree in Business. She has continued to work for HEB for 17 years and is currently the Store Director at our Pleasanton HEB. It is through her work with HEB that Aubrey has made such an impact on our community. She is instrumental in working with the schools and community, organizations in all of Atascosa County. When someone is in need Aubrey loves to help. She recently helped supply the citizens of Campbellton with water due to a shortage. Aubrey with the help of other HEB employees loaded hundreds of gallons of water into pick-up trucks and made 3 trips to deliver the water in the heat of the summer this past year. Aubrey enjoys supporting local events such as Atascosa Livestock show where she participates as a buyer every year. Aubrey started a new tradition this year with her fellow HEB employees and worked with the local ACCEPT program and adopted a local family in need during Christmas. Aubrey was able to provide a Christmas for a local family that would not have had one otherwise with five wonderful, deserving children. This is something that Aubrey will carry on for years to come. Everyone knows that going to Aubrey things will get done.
She is married to Jason Smith and has three children Avery age 8, Adyson age 5, and Ryder 15 months. She is a soccer and dance team mom and volunteers at school activities. She enjoys spending time with her large family and friends and having family dinners and BBQ’s. She has been a member of St Luke’s Loire Catholic church of Pleasanton since age 5 and loves participating in church activities with her family.
Aubrey served on the Pleasanton Board of Directors for the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce from 2007 – 2009. She served as 2nd Vice President from 2008- 2009. Aubrey helped organize several local events while on the Chamber such as Taste of Atascosa, Pleasanton Awards Banquet
One of Aubrey’s biggest accomplishments was serving as Co-Chair for Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming from 2007-2009. Aubrey has attended Cowboy Homecoming every year from age 2. She saw an opportunity to take an event and make it into something bigger and better. She spent countless hours organizing and planning the event. Through her work and the help of great volunteers and friends she was able to put the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce in the black again raising over $50K in 2 years. Aubrey believes in her community and is passionate about helping it grow and prosper in today’s economy.