Page 8 - Reedley Exponent 3-1-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A8 Thursday, March 1, 2018
AWARDS Continued from page A1
ley High School teacher and coach, and was the “Voice of the Tigers” announcing foot- ball and basketball at Reedley College for 61 years.
“He was quite a man. That’s all I can say. He was so intelligent and beautiful. I miss him, because I can’t ask questions of him.”
George Takata, the new di- rector of marketing and com- munications for Reedley Col- lege, served as Master of Cer- emonies for the awards dinner. He told about his experiences working with Mitchell when he worked as a sports reporter for local television.
“He kept it even keel, but he was a [Reedley High] Pi- rate and a [Reedley College] Tiger through and through,” Takata said.
Clemons was honored as Citizen of the Year for her longtime work as an educator in the Kings Canyon Unified School District and her quarter century with the Rotary Club of Reedley. She expressed sur- prise at winning the award and her love for Reedley.
“When I retired 13 years ago from Kings Canyon Uni- fied, I had several people ask me ‘Are you going to stay in Reedley? Aren’t you going to move to Fresno?’ I thought that was an odd question,” she said.
“Why would I leave Reed- ley? I love this town. It’s a great town, and has great people and it’s a great place to live.”
Clemons said her volun- teer work keeps her busy and happy.
“If you’re in a position in life where you can volunteer I encourage you to,” she said. “Because this is a great town to volunteer in.”
The Junior Citizen of the Year award went to Reedley High School senior Emma Rey- naga. She excels academically and athletically, and also is in- volved in multiple school clubs and community organizations.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank God for the grace that he has over my life and my family,” said Reynaga, who plans to join the military after high school. “I’d also like to thank my parents for their
support and guidance.”
A new award this year is
the Reedley Beautification Award. Jose and Wendy Rivera, who bought the Hotel Burgess in early 2017 and reopened the historic hotel last summer, are the first recipients.
“I’m really nervous, but we’re so excited being here in Reedley and the community,” Wendy Rivera said.
Sandra Caldwell, presi- dent of Reedley College, was given the award for Educator of the Year. She said credit for the college’s success goes to many other on campus – in- structors, staff, administra- tors and the students.
Matt Tuttle, co-owner of Gnardog Crossfit in downtown Reedley, was awarded Health Professional of the Year. He encouraged the community to resolve to get healthy with a fitness regime and good diet to improve their lifestyle and lengthen their lifespan.
Rabobank of Reedley is the chamber’s 2018 Business of the Year while Brandt Farms won tech Ag Business of the Year award. Accepting awards on behalf of their com- panies were Gary Dodd, man- ager of the Rabobank branch, and Jack Brandt, co-owner of Brandt Farms.
Chris Boss of Michael’s Environmental won the Entre- preneur of the Year award for his business that is contract- ing with the city to help clean up hazardous material spills and debris left from accident scenes, at no cost to the city.
TOP LEFT: Members of Reedley’s River City Theatre Company sing “Seasons of Love” as part of an eight-song musical program.
Here are the 2018 Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce award winners. SECOND FROM TOP RIGHT: Emma Reynaga, Junior Citizen
of the Year. TOP RIGHT: Reedley College President Sandra Caldwell, Educator of the Year. CENTER ROW LEFT: Citizen of the Year Jean Clemons is presented a bouquet by Jon Callahan, president of the Rotary Club of Reedley. CENTER ROW MIDDLE: Jack Brandt of Brandt Farms, Ag Business of the Year. CENTER ROW RIGHT: Gary Dodd of Rabobank, Business of the Year. ABOVE LEFT: Jose and Wendy Rivera of Hotel Burgess, Reedley Beautification Award. ABOVE MIDDLE: Matthew Tuttle of Gnardog Crossfit, Health Professional of the Year. ABOVE RIGHT: Chris Boss of Michael’s Environment, Entrepreneur of the Year, stands with 23rd District Assemblyman Jim Patterson.
Photos by Jon Earnest / The Exponent
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