From our January 25, 2001, edition.

Chamber banquet honors top citizens 

Saints' Roost Award | Woman of the Year | 

Man of the Year | Other Awards | Banquet News |

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Saints' Roost Award winner A.R. Henson

A.R. Henson was the recipient of the 2000 Saints’ Roost Award during the annual banquet of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce last Saturday.

The award recognizes a lifetime of service to the community and is presented annually.

Henson graduated from Clarendon High School and Clarendon College before completing 30 missions as an Air Force Radio Operator on a B-29 in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Following the war, Henson established a business in Clarendon in 1946, which continues to be successful, and has donated much of his time to supporting worthy causes in the community.

He served on the Clarendon School Board for six years, has been president of the Lions Club, and has served for many years as the Donley County Service Chairman for the American Cancer Society. He has been the Worshipful Master of Clarendon Lodge #700, a District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, and has served on many Grand Lodge committees. He has been president and secretary-treasurer of the Al Morrah Shrine Club, is a member of the Khiva Shrine Temple, and continuously supports and promotes the Shriners’ children’s hospitals. He has also been named Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star three different times.

Henson and his family organize and host the annual Turtle Race during the Saints’ Roost Celebration.

His honest business practices with sincere consideration for his customers is something of which Clarendon can be proud. His concern for Clarendon’s welfare and progress is an asset to our town.

Woman of the Year  Mary Neal Risley

Mary Neal Risley was named the 2000 Woman of the Year.

She went to work for the Donley County State Bank after graduating from Clarendon High School in 1950, and many individuals have benefited from her willingness to share her varied interests through the years. Her friends describe her as one whose nature is a constant and genuine concern for others’ welfare. Risley has been an active member of the First Baptist Church since childhood, taking part in their many activities and teaching children’s classes.

She has served the Clarendon Girl Scouts as a troop leader, Neighborhood Chair, on the board nominating committee, and as treasurer of the Clarendon Scout Service Unit. She has served as a member of the board of Burton Memorial Library and has donated her services to archaeological and historical organizations. She is presently involved in the Adult Literacy program.

Risley is known for many acts of compassion. Many an elderly widow has been the recipient of her thoughtfulness in running errands, bringing food, and just plain visiting. She has bought quantities of blooming bulbs to take to various households for flower beds, and many of those have filled the Medical Center Nursing Home’s garden. Bird feeders outside the windows of the nursing home are constantly kept full by her in order to entice birds that entertain the residents.

Man of the Year  Jerry Hawkins

The Man of the Year for 2000 is Jerry Hawkins, whose outstanding accomplishments are responsible for much of the success of Donley County’s educational and agricultural opportunities for young people.

Hawkins began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher in Clarendon, Groom, and Spearman before taking a new position at Clarendon College. Since that time he has served as Chairman of the CC Agriculture Department, coached the Livestock Judging Team, initiated the ranch portion of the Ranch and Feedlot Operations program, has been director of the Area I FFA Leadership Camp – the largest in Texas, and coordinated the Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest, which draws 1,600 high school students from five states and is held with no cost to the college and without the financial support of the community.

He coordinates the Greenbelt, Top of Texas, and Amarillo District FFA Leadership Events and coordinates the Area I Leadership Contest. He has judged livestock shows at five state fairs and in Mexico and recruits for Clarendon College academic and vocational programs. He recruits everywhere he goes. This year there are 40 to 50 meat, horse, and livestock judges at CC even though there is only one local scholarship.

He has assisted 4-H and FFA members with advice about livestock and training for livestock judging. His judging teams not only display accuracy but also are always noticed for their politeness and good behavior wherever they are. His love and dedication to young people come from his desire to help them build successful lives as well as successful careers.

At Hawkins’ invitation, the district FFA leadership contests were moved from the WTAMU campus to Clarendon College. The annual three-day event boosts the local economy.

In addition to all of his professional duties, Hawkins has been president of the Lions Club, president of the National Jr. College Livestock Coaches Association, and has received the Outstanding Alumni Texas Tech Block & Bridle Award, Outstanding Clarendon College Employee Award, and the Texas Vocational-Agriculture Teachers Association Outstanding Service – 40-year Service Award. In 2000, he received Texas Tech University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in Animal Science and the Texas Agriculture Extension Service Panhandle District’s “Friend of Extension” award. He has also found time to be active in the Outdoor Entertainment Association for more than 25 years and worked with Little League and Boy Scouts.

Sam Holton was named the Young Man of the Year from Clarendon. He is a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, an All-District Academic Award recipient, and competes in UIL literary events. He is a member of the Bronco Band and participates in football, basketball, track, and golf. He has had the honor of being named to Who’s Who in Sports All-Star and attends the First United Methodist Church.

The Young Man of the Year from Hedley was Rhett Holland. He is a member of the Business Professionals Associaion, FFA, and the HHS golf team. He served as senior captain of the Owl football and basketball teams and enjoys working on classic cars.

Lana Wallendorff was selected as the Young Woman of the Year for 2000 from Hedley. She enjoys reading and horseback riding and plays basketball, and golf. She is a member of Hedley High’s Business Professionals Association, is her class’ president and the National Honor Society president. She is also on the Hedley UIL Math and Science teams.

The Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon was Jamie Sawyer. She has been active in band, basketball, cross country, track, Spanish Club, and FCA. She has received a Division 1 in Solo/Ensemble Contest, is president of the Texas Association of Future Educators, has been a UIL regional qualifier in Spelling, and is editor of the Yearbook. She also is a cheerleader and has participated in various volunteer services. This past summer she attended a class at the nursing home and received her license to be a Certified Nurse’s Aide. She has been vice president of the NHS, class secretary, class favorite, Prom Princess, and homecoming Queen Candidate. She has also received the Honor “C” in Aquatic Science and the Governor’s Award for academic achievement.

Also honored Saturday night was Chamber President Alan Graham, who received the “Iron Man” Award for his service to the chamber.

Attendance at this year’s banquet seemed to be quite high as seating ran short and had to be supplemented with additional tables at the last moment.

Dan Hall provided musical entertainment while banquet attendees enjoyed a pork loin dinner prepared by Alan Graham and the chamber. After dinner entertainment was provided by Amarillo magician/comedian Lyndy Phillips.

Sponsors for this year’s banquet were AEP-West Texas Utilities, Allsup’s Convenience Stores, B&R Thriftway, Clarendon College, Classic Cable, Cruz Construction, Inc., Dairy Queen, Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, KEFH 99.3 FM/Channel 11, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., and TXU Gas.

New officers for the coming year will be Dr. Guy Ellis, president; Donnie Hall, first vice president; Genella Eads, second vice president; and new directors Jim Blackerby, Terry Askew, Bobbie Thornberry, and Vicky Robertson.