Henke named CCA Citizen of the Year; Defibaugh – Hospitality

The 91st Annual Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Banquet was held Wednesday evening, Jan. 25 with Jeanette Henke named the 2022 Citizen of the Year. 

Henke, was recognized by CCA treasurer Barb Koehn.

Involved with a number of organizations including Beta Sigma Phi, where she currently serves as its president,  Henke is also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Great State Republicans and the Christian Mothers. 

A member of these organizations, Henke has been very active in community projects throughout the year.

Henke has helped gather and issue school supplies to local schools, served Thanksgiving meals to the elderly, assisted in wrapping gifts for the St. Nicholas Ministry, collected donations to the Women’s Crises Center, provided cookies for the nursing homes and Special Olympics and has helped obtain funding for scholarships.  

Also nominated for this year’s CCA Citizen of the Year  award Cheryl Thompson-Draper, Georgia Pohl and James Steffek.

This year’s Hospitality Award went to Mary Ann Defibaugh, which was presented by CCA secretary Christie Mertz.

Defibaugh, who is 93 years old, spends a lot of her time serving as a volunteer as a member of the Lavaca Medical Center Auxiliary.

“Mary Ann works hard to provide wonderful and friendly service to those who come to Lavaca Medical Center,” Mertz said during the presentation. “Whether she is delivering snacks, a newspaper, or helping in the gift shop, her pleasant personality and friendly demeanor gives joy and comfort to the patients and the people she meets.” 

The other nominee for the Hospitality Award was Katie Steffek.  

Sacred Heart Catholic High School senior Brett Sestak and Hallettsville High School senior Braxton Baranowski were chosen as the Outstanding Senior Students for 2022. 

Brett is the son of Kenneth and Rhonda Sestak, while Braxton is the son of Jeff and Christina Baranowski. 

Other senior students nominated were Bailey Haas and Arianna Henke from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, and Cam’ron Alamilla and Brandt Trlicek from Hallettsville High School.  

Texas Thunder Radio personality Laura Kremling served as Master of Ceremonies for the banquet and Pastor Jerry Tanner delivered the invocation. 

Kremling led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge, while Arabella Arellano led the singing of the National Anthem. 

The 2022 CC&A officers were introduced, who include: Shirley Rothbauer (president); Collette Jahn (vice-president); Barb Koehn (treasurer) and Christie Mertz (secretary).

Besides the officers, the remaining board members were also introduced, who include:  Bob Barrera, Rev. Herb Beyer, Christine Brown, Colleen Guevara, Jennifer Hagan, Becky Janak, Jon Lamson, Jessica Meade, Janet Spies and Jerry Tanner.

The Chamber staff includes  JoAnn Shimek (executive director), Jennifer Gilliam (administrative assistant) and Lori Popp (accountant).

Outgoing directors include: Carl Hobbs, Kathy Kaminski and Glenna Brown Sims.

The 2022 Royal Court was also introduced, who include: Miss Hallettsville Shalyn Hairell; Jr. Miss Ava Shimek; Young Miss Quinn DeLaRosa; Little Miss Braylee Hanslik and Little Mister Sylas Stacy.

At the conclusion of the banquet, Arellano led the singing of God Bless America and Pastor Tanner conducted the benediction.  

The meal was prepared by Otto Cervenka and Crew and program design, which followed the theme of the Alice in Wonderland’s Madhatter’s Tea Party, was provided by Jennifer Gilliam.