Conroe VFW names firefighter, teacher, medical first responder of the year
As the Conroe VFW Post 4709 2021-22 year winds down and a new one starts again July 1, members of the Post paused Wednesday night to honor those who go above and beyond in their areas of service.
The Post leadership presented awards for Paramedic of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, Teacher of the Year and other community awards to show their appreciation for those who have a lasting impact on the community.
“We are honored to recognize the people who help this Post run smoothly and just a few members of our community who make a difference every single day and support our Post and veterans as a whole,” said Post Commander Racquel Glass in her welcome message.
The Conroe VFW Post 4709 supports veterans of the community in a variety of ways as well as promoting history, education and patriotism in the community.
The night began with community awards as the Post presented the Patriot’s Pen Awards to three students in sixth through eighth grade.
First place was Emma Martin, second place was Dylan Dietz and third place was Aarav Asundi. They drafted speeches on “What It Means to be a Great American.” Martin read her speech during the ceremony. Each was presented a scholarship.
Next the Voice of Democracy Award was presented to students in ninth through 12th grade. The winners were third place Kaden Smith, second place winner is John T. Davis and Ashton Rushing had the winning entry. He also read his essay. These three winners were also awarded scholarships.
Judith Skelton was named Teacher of the Year. Skelton is a teacher at Washington High School in Conroe.
“An outstanding educator requires a passion for teaching, the ability to be flexible, the gift of patience and a desire to continue learning. These traits describe Mrs. Skelton exactly. Mrs. Skelton loves what she does and strives to see her students achieve, not because it’s her job, but to show that the students have gained new knowledge and they will grow from it. She is an outstanding educator who has a strong desire to let her passion be known and it shines through in each and every lesson she teaches,” said Dr. John Williams the principal at Washington High School.
Montgomery County Hospital District District Chief Lois Lindgren was named the Emergency Medical Provider of the Year.
“District Chief Lois Lindgren has been with Montgomery County Hospital District for 28 years and in 9-1-1 communications for 35. She has spent her career being the first line of contact for someone who calls 9-1-1 for help giving life-saving instructions over the phone and connecting the caller with first responders,” said MCHD Chief James Campbell. “She’s a leader in the communications center and looked up to for her many years of experience and her ability to mold the next generations of first responders.”
He said the past few years have been extremely difficult as the industry has struggled with staffing and record-breaking 9-1-1 call volumes.
The MCHD communications staff took more than 82,000 9-1-1 calls in 2021.
“She’s been a champion advocate for her call takers and dispatchers each call has the ability to take a toll on the call taker. Lois has not only adjusted her practice to assist with staffing levels but takes a personal interest in making sure the first responders are healthy. She has made herself open to all providers and has proven that she will without judgment walk side by side with them through their tribulations. She puts herself second to make sure the staff is well cared for,” Campbell said.
Conroe Fire Department Lt. Matt Perkins was named Firefighter of the Year.
“Lt. Perkins has demonstrated an incredible commitment to the Conroe Fire Department during his 20 years of service. His activities have required a substantial personal commitment of time that includes planning family and holiday time around his commitments. He demonstrates a unique blend of dependabilty and committment combined with knowledge and abilities that make him an excellent candidate for this award,” said Conroe Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Mike Legoudes.
Other community awards were presented to Primrose School of Conroe, City Councilman Raymond McDonald, Rich Sproba, Troy Woods, Precinct 1 Constable Philip Cash, Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson, Lt. Scott Spencer with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Shirley Uriostegui with Tri-County Veterans Affairs and the team from Jersey Mike’s on the South Loop for their support of veterans and the community.
Additionally the VFW’s Honor Guard was celebrated and individual awards were presented to VFW members Tim Wilhite, Jim Mcdermott, John Kahler, Ralph Massengill, Jay Hargrove, Connie McNabb and Steve Roark.
The VFW Ladies Auxiliary also presented awards Wednesday night. Those honored included Janet Kern, Cathi Hargrove, Kristin Parkinson and Rita Crosby.
Also on Wednesday night, it was announced that current Junior Vice Commander Marcey Phillips will take on the role of Post Commander as of July 1. Phillips and Post Commander Raquel Glass were both honored for their roles in the Conroe VFW as well.
Next up, there will be a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen at the Post at 4 p.m. May 30.
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