Hennessey community volunteers are recognized

About 70 attended the Hennessey United Association’s annual Red Carpet Night Thursday, April 18, at Hennessey Mercantile to help recognize family and friends receiving awards. The 2024 event honored top movers and shakers from eight community service and social organizations and the Hennessey Public Schools’ top Teachers of the Year. Organizations presenting awards, and honorees, pictured are: (seated, from left) Ministerial Alliance to Church of Christ, “Eagle Eatery” at noon each Wednesday for HHS students, Janna Darragh (and others pictured above); Golden Eagles, Member of the Year, Wanda Choate, and Hennessey Farmerettes Member of the Year, Maxine Helgeson; (standing from left) Powder & String Club Member of the Year, Derek Peach; Hennessey Lions Club Member of the Year, Scott Hajek; Ministerial Alliance, Church of Christ ministers Tucker Fuxa and Giovanni Lara; Hennessey United, Community Service Award, Angela Bruner; Friends of the Library Member of the Year, Tim Taylor; and 2024 HPS Teachers of the Year, Stacy (Taylor) Ward, elementary school; Kaylena Grellner, middle school; Riley Faulkner, high school and District Teacher of the Year, and Karla VanGee, early childhood center. All except one of the awardees knew they would be recognized that evening. It was Derek Peach who said he climbed down from his tractor and came that night because he’d been told he “was needed there.” And, he was. United President Stacy Cline emceed the event. United had scheduled a meeting after the awards program, but there were only five members who’d stayed so they couldn’t take any action. The next meeting will be in July, unless a called-meeting is necessary. [KT&FP Photo by Barb Walter]