Fourteen Hennesseyites were recognized for their work in the community and school service at the annual Red Carpet Night sponsored by the Hennessey United Association.

United President Stacy Cline was emcee for the event held Thursday night in the Ortman Auditorium at the Hennessey Public Library.

Award winners Organizations and hon

Organizations and honorees chosen were: Child Study Club, Marissa Choate; Community Action Team, Tammy Hopkins, Jimmy Berkenbile and David Fuksa; Friends of the Library, Patsy Jackson; Golden Eagles, posthumously Gay Means; Lions Club, Chasity

Fipps; Ministerial Alliance, FBC Youth Minister Drew McElhaney; Teachers of the Year, District/HES/ Early Childhood Center, Doreen Winn; HHS, Lezlie Hardin; HMS, Amy Shelite; Amanda Luper, kindergarten teacher, DaVinci A+ Teacher of Year; Hennessey United Association, Logan Macy and Stacy Cline, and student United Board member, Ashland Crites, was awarded a scholarship. United’s Leadership class essay winners were 2022 seniors Juliana Macy, first, and runners-up Michelle Roman and Jazelle Munoz.

Special guests

Special guests were Miss Oklahoma USA 2022 Ashley Ehrhart and her mother, Sherry (Hutchinson) Ehrhart, a 1981 HHS grad.

Ashley Ehrhart told the audience she had suffered from depression and urged anyone who has that problem to tell someone and get professional help.

Her mother said she’d also been on the Hennessey stage where her daughter had just talked.

She recalled being in a Miss Hennessey Pageant when she was in high school.

She also remembered that Wanda Choate, who was a presenter that night had been in charge of that pageant which was then-sponsored by Hennessey Celebration Inc.

Ramon Renteria, another HHS grad, spoke about OK Travel and how it could help local businesses and others in the community find out what is available.

He said when he was in Miami (Oklahoma) recently, someone asked about where he was from.

When he said, “Hennessey,” the person said, “Oh, the wine and chocolate festival is there.”

He said community events are important to the economy of the town, and we will help in any way he can to promote his hometown.

Reception

A reception followed in The Brick.

United secretary Cathy Howard chaired the awards program again this year.

Other board members at the event were Vice President Teresa Oliver, Treasurer Tammy Hopkins, Dagan Hardin, Scott Hajek, Kaden Mitchell, Barb Walter and Cline.