Annual Awards
2026 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Scott Stine
GFI Digital
Ambassador of the Year
Theresa McMahon
Wither’s Broadcasting
Citizen of the Year
Lynn Lenker
Angels on Assignment
Small Business of the Year
Tony Wielt
Tony Wielt State Farm Insurance
Young Professionals of the Year
Hayden & Hunter England
Twisted Twins
Presidential Award
Rex Cusumano
Cusumano & Sons
Classroom Grants
TBD
STUDENT OF THE YEAR:
Allie Sweeten – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Anna Bousman – Woodlawn High School
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Brenna Bjma – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Allie Sweeten – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Lilian Dunaway – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Landen Lundegreen – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Gracalyn Richardson – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Camdin Simpson – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Lilly Anderton – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Truman Carnine – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Alana Anderson – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Jasmyne Owens – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Ella Hall – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Eli Prost – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Alister Clodi – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Brendan Klingler – Waltonville High School
Gage Peterson – Waltonville High School
Elania Yenne – Waltonville High School
Audrey Frey – Webber Township High School
Briley Heinrich – Webber Township High School
Brennan Tate – Webber Township High School
Jayda Leneave – Webber Township High School
Chloe King – Webber Township High School
Clayton Drew – Webber Township High School
Carter Bain – Webber Township High School
Elizabeth Richards – Webber Township High School
Sophie Maddox – Woodlawn High School
Hayden Mellott – Woodlawn High School
Payton Hart – Woodlawn High School
Anna Bousman – Woodlawn High School
Chloe Robinson – Homeschool
2025 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Nat Shook & Megan Schmidt
United Way of South Central Illinois
Ambassador of the Year
Carol Martin
Peoples National Bank
Citizen of the Year
Kent Jackson
Family Life
Small Business of the Year
Eric Black
Medicine Shoppe
Young Professional of the Year
Brian Harland
Jefferson County Development Corporation
Presidential Award
Harold “John” Howard II
In Loving Memory
Classroom Grants
Cyndel McKinness – Bluford Grade School
Megan Hargett – Farrington Grade School
Jessica Knight – Farrington Grade School
Talon Anderson – Rome Grade School
Kate Page – Woodlawn Grade School
Misti Shook – Bethel Grade School
Kristin Tate – Bethel Grade School
Bethany Matthews – Bethel Grade School
Dayna McDaniel – Alternative Learning Center
Charles Pool – Alternative Learning Center
Zach Consolino – Alternative Learning Center
Carmen Randall – District 80 Hall Early Childhood Center
Hailey Benjamin – Zadok Casey Middle School
Hannah Piercy – J.L. Buford
STUDENT OF THE YEAR:
Jaycie Beckham- Mt. Vernon Township High School
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Kaylee Jo Down – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Emmalee Kroeschen – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Layni Capps – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Josie Shirley – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Sawyer Lusby – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Zaidee Mick – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Elias Mullinax – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Sophia Owens – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Addie Holloway – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Zuri Das – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Blake Brown – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Shreya Patel – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Addison Tinsley – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Jaycie Beckham – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Mazie Eilerts – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Elijah Harris – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Kyree James-Hooper – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Emma Cooper – Waltonville High School
Zaejah Fallis-Buchanan – Waltonville High School
Annabelle Long – Waltonville High School
Tryton Fassett – Waltonville High School
Maia Schultz – Webber Township High School
Stacie Rae Bullard – Webber Township High School
Ashton James – Webber Township High School
Louie Schrum – Webber Township High School
Isaac Holloway – Webber Township High School
Dezaray Clark – Webber Township High School
Laney Hails – Webber Township High School
Julia Bruce – Webber Township High School
Daylon Pollard – Woodlawn High School
Alisa Pak – Woodlawn High School
Dayne Pollard – Woodlawn High School
Gracie Loss – Woodlawn High School
Kalli Wheeler – Woodlawn High School
Gracie Lowery – Woodlawn High School
2024 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Tony Iriti & Brian Harland
Jefferson County Development Corporation
Ambassador of the Year
Cindy Draege
Retired
Citizen of the Year
Leslie Baum
Tony Wielt State Farm
Small Business of the Year
Jose Jacinto
El Rancherito & JJ’s Sports Bar
Young Professional of the Year
Ross Rubenacker
Affordable Gas & Electric
Presidential Award
Tony Wielt
Tony Wielt State Farm
Classroom grants
Amber Bagby – Rome Grade School
Hailey Benjamin – Casey Middle School
Shelbi Jones – J.L. Buford
Megan Hargett – Farrington Grade School
Olivia Heinzman – Bluford Grade School
Malorie Hendrix – Field Grade School
Michelle Luxton-Jee – St. Mary’s School
Debbie Esser – Rome Grade School
Charles Pool – Alternative Learning Center
Jonna Piercy – Spring Garden Grade School
Emily Poteet – Grand Prairie Grade School
Savanna Petersen – Bluford Grade School
Rebecca Davis – Primary Center
DeAnna Clark – Field Grade School
Jessica Case – Primary Center
Jamie Wheeler – Summersville Grade School
Kelli Woodrome – Field Grade School
Madisyn Voyles – Rome Grade School
Madaline Ruez – Spring Garden Middle School
Stephanie Reynolds – Summersville Grade School
Brittany Short – McClellan Grade School
Kaylie Garrett – Field Grade School
Denae Jones – Primary Center
STUDENT OF THE YEAR:
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Brylie Brands- Mt. Vernon Township High School
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Tayva Mellott- Woodlawn High School
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Anderson Barker – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Robert White – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Kylie Poole – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Adam Parks – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Nolan Armstrong – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Finley Clugston – Mt. Vernon Township High School
BreAnna Reynolds – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Riana Torrez – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Olivia Baumhoegger – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Kaylie Ratcliff – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Nevaeh McGehee – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Vishnu Rangoonwala – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Anna James – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Izak Wisneski – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Katherine Pittman – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Sophia Ziegler – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Brylie Brands – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Allen Heck – Waltonville High School
Kaylee Pyszka – Waltonville High School
Alexis Johnson – Webber High School
Caleb Hardy – Webber High School
Myranda Stoeber – Webber High School
Shayla Brumley – Webber High School
Emerie Marlow – Webber High School
Luke Talley – Webber High School
Damian Fleener – Webber High School
Wyatt Jackson – Webber High School
Alison Northup – Webber High School
Dylan French – Webber High School
Alexis Legg – Webber High School
Cayden Belmont – Webber High School
Katie Barnard – Webber High School
Sarah Myers – Webber High School
Tayva Mellott – Woodlawn High School
Gracey Sharpe – Woodlawn High School
Katherine Atchison – Woodlawn High School
Amelia Neabuhr – Woodlawn High School
Kennedi Odum – Woodlawn High School
Aryka Warren – Woodlawn High School
Alli Downes – Woodlawn High School
2023 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Pepsi MidAmerica
Ambassador of the Year
Nikki Timberlake
SSM Health at Home
Citizen of the Year
Sheila Jolly-Scrivner
Mt. Vernon Outland Airport
Small Business of the Year
Jeff Haarmann
AGE- Affordable Gas & Electric
Young Professional of the Year
Talia Campbell
A Pocketful of Sunshine
Classroom Grants
Anita Allen – McClellan Grade School
April Flexter – Bluford Grade School
Audra Bates – Spring Garden Grade School
Brittany Short – McClellan Grade School
Charles Pool – District 80
Erin Berry – Woodlawn High School
Hillary Cope – McClellan Grade School
Jessica Case – Dr. Nick Osbourne Primary Center
Jessica Stout – McClellan Grade School
Jessie Wallis – Dr. Nick Osbourne Primary Center
Kelli Tate – Rome Grade School
Kenzie Rankin – Spring Garden Grade School
Michele Smith – Woodlawn Grade School
Michelle Miller – Waltonville Grade School
Michelle Montgomery – Woodlawn High School
Nikki Bauer-Prost –Mt.Vernon Township High School
Stacy Hulbert –Mt.Vernon Township High School
Stacy Spotinski –St.Mary’s School
Tiffany Delaney – McClellan Grade School
STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
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Callie Prost- Mt. Vernon Township High School
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Brooke McKay- Woodlawn High School
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Alexia McGuire- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Ali Benson- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Caitlyn Bernard- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Eric Riggan- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Jacqueline Wilson- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Reagan Schmidt- Mt. Vernon Township High School
Gavin Dressler – Waltonville High School
Bridget Kash – Waltonville High School
Alivia Cook- Webber High School
Brooklyn Knight- Webber High School
Ciera Whitecotton- Webber High School
Elicia Marlow- Webber High School
Eryn Best- Webber High School
Hunter Danberry- Webber High School
Hunter Kluck- Webber High School
Janey Hilt- Webber High School
Kaylynn Bailey- Webber High School
Lily Taylor- Webber High School
Madalyn Sneed- Webber High School
RJ Hargrove- Webber High School
Rylee Breeze- Webber High School
Savanna Hulbert- Webber High School
Briley Kirgan- Woodlawn High School
Jacy Knox- Woodlawn High School
Kaitlyn Repasky- Woodlawn High School
Kodie VanEycke- Woodlawn High School
2022 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Norma Fairchild
Retired
Ambassador of the Year
Kari Docherty
Spero Family Services
Citizen of the Year
Lisa Damron
Damron Insurance
Small Business of the Year
Kathleen Shoemaker
Carl’s for Men and Women
Young Professional of the Year
Mark Black
Men In White Painting
Classroom Grants
Ambut Withrow – Bluford Grade School
Debra Simmers – Bluford Grade School
April Flexter – Casey Middle School
Kevin McGreer – Casey Middle School
Loretta Rice – Casey Middle School
Marjorie Stricklin – Casey Middle School
Karla Rutherford – JL Buford
David Mateyka – MVTHS
Raquel Maxey – MVTHS
Barry Jackson – Nick Osborne Primary Center
Jessica Case – Nick Osborne Primary Center
Karen Donoho – Mt. Vernon Alternative School
Tifanie Schmale – Waltonville High School
Student Scholarships
Holdon Marthaler – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Cassidy Das – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Nathan Wilkie – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Caden Plummer – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Somer Braddy – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Quinton Mullinax – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Everett Mathus – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Andy Nguyen – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Tori Shaw – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Loralai Klockenga – Mt. Vernon Township High School
Asa Newell – Waltonville High School
Nathan Ragland – Waltonville High School
Sydney Peterson – Waltonville High School
Nathaniel Groff – Webber High School
Caitlyn Wilky – Webber High School
Emily James – Webber High School
Baylie Sellers – Webber High School
Emma Hill – Webber High School
Samantha Schrum – Webber High School
Benjamin Lequerica – Webber High School
Kameron Poole – Webber High School
Christian Talley – Webber High School
Madison Burkett – Woodlawn High School
Megan Sweeten – Woodlawn High School
Elaina Montgomery – Woodlawn High School
Jane Atchison – Woodlawn High School
Sadie Mellott – Woodlawn High School
Taylor Maharrey – Woodlawn High School
Olivia Moser – Woodlawn High School
Reagan Webb – Woodlawn High School
Sydney Bailey – Woodlawn High School
Isabell Frick – Woodlawn High School
2021 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Ambassador of the Year
Angela Witges
Fifth Third Bank
Citizen of the Year
Natalie Wellen
United Way
Small Business of the Year
Jay Tate
Harlow Moving
Young Professional of the Year
Ben Sperry
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta
2020 Award Winners
Friend of the Chamber
Randy Kirkemeyer
Times Square Mall
Ambassador of the Year
Lacey Copple
Hall Insurance Group
Citizen of the Year
Cheryl Settle
Small Business of the Year
Wes Rodgers
Wes Rodgers Tire & Auto
Young Professional of the Year
Lacey Copple
Hall Insurance Group
Classroom Grants
Kevin McGreer – Casey Middle School
Denae Jones – Primary Center
Marjorie Stricklin – Casey Middle School
Paige Nowland – Primary Center
Melissa J Clark – Mt. Vernon Alternate Learning Center
Renea Rapp – Woodlawn School District
Dana Hall – MVTHS
Sarah Moore – Spring Garden Elementary
April Flexter – Bluford Unit Schools
Student Scholarships
Baylee Holloway – Vincenness University
Carson Wright – SIU-C
Daniel Song – UMKC
Winter Pittman – RLC
Jaice McCowen – RLC
Lance Wenzel – SEMO
Levi Wilson – Lincoln Christian University
Mackenzie King – Mid-America Christian University
Payton Groennert – RLC
Raeghan Fitzjerrells – RLC
Ravyn Laird – SIU-C
Rebekah Marlow – SEMO
Sophie Eastham – St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Race Rynski – RLC
2019 Award Winners
President’s Award
Sharon Brandham
Ambassador of the Year
Sharon Francois
Citizen of the Year
Linola Spann
Small Business of the Year
Mike Carbonero
Double Tree by Hilton & Holiday Inn Express
Young Professional of the Year
Josh Esser
Students of the Year
Priyanka Kaushel
Gatlin Miller
Rachel Beckham
Classroom Grants
Tori Hartman – MVTHS
Dana Hall – MVTHS
Marjorie Stricklin – Casey Middle School
Terri Helm – Bluford Unit School
Stasey Rightnowar – Spring Garden
Laura Kapp & Tori England – Woodlawn Grade School