Past Award Winners

George Beadle Award

George Beadle embodies excellence in education and training. He combined the worlds of education and science.

Past Winners  2001—Dr. Leo Meduna, 2002—Dr. John Hansen, 2003—Jared Ketner, 2004—Ed Rastovski, 2005—Dr Brad Freidel & Dr. Denise Freidel, 2006—Beckie Lacey, 2007—Jay & Lucinda Morrow, 2008—Kal Lausterer, 2009—Rita Lindahl, 2010—Keith Glewen, 2011—Mike Luben, 2012—Kim Homes, 2013—Linda Maly, 2014—Wahoo Fire & Rescue, 2015—Dale Weis, 2016—Sr. Veronica Volkmer, 2017—Three Rivers Public Health Department, 2018—Mary Filipi, 2019—Lisa Zysset, Tinkergarten, 2020—Lower Platte North NRD, 2022—Wahoo Robotics Club, 2023-CEO Program, 2024-Caleb Grummert

Darryl Zanuck Award

Darryl Zanuck had to be a risk taker in the movie industry. It was his innovative, creative, visionary and sometimes controversial style as a director that pulled projects together.

Past Winners  2001—Bob Sloup, 2002—Zean Carney, 2003—Bob Brandt, 2004—Curt Bromm, 2005—Doug Watts, 2006—Wahoo Heritage Inn, 2007—5th & Chestnut Development, 2008—Deb Wilcox & SCLP, 2009—Mike Murren, 2010—Ed Rastovski, 2011—Delbert Otte, 2012—Jerry Peterson, 2013—Greg Hohl & Steve Sallenbach, 2014—Charlie Emswiler, 2015—Saunders County Agricultural Society, 2016—Joe Spicka, 2017—Sid Dillon, 2018—Rob Brigham, 2019—Don Clark, 2020—Kyle Cooper, 2022—Jerry & Arlene Johnson, 2023 Kelly Johnson, 2024-First Interstate Bank

Sam Crawford Award

Sam Crawford was more than just a baseball player.  He was involved in sports of all kinds.  He was an advocate for children and their activities. 

Past Winners:  2001—Rett Inbody, 2002—John Sutton, 2003—Ken Neff, 2004—Tim Turman, 2005—Gayle & Alan Jansa, 2006—Gary Odvody, 2007—Paul Johnson, 2008—Marc Kaminski, 2009—Doug Lanik, 2010—In memory of Robery “Poopy” Laudenback, 2011—Saunders County 4-h Shooting Sports, 2012—1860/1870’S Wahoo Plowboy Vintage Base Ball Club, 2013—Lee Plybon, 2014—Ken Hanke, 2015—Eric Sherman, 2016—Mike Hancock, 2017—Jason & Teresa Edmonds, 2018—Sean Forbes, 2019—David & Katherine Rudder, 2020—Andrea Woita, 2022—Bishop Neumann Trap Shooting Team, 2023-Paul Sutton/Wahoo Youth Wrestling Program, 2024-Randy Shada

Howard Hanson Award

Howard Hanson was known for his commitment to the cultural and performing arts.

Past Winners:  2001—Connie Dillow, 2002—Bill Reece, 2003—Roger & Sharon Kenaston, 2004—Joann Couton, 2005—Ken Schoen, 2006—Christie Tyler, 2007—Starlite Ballroom, 2008—Willard Hunzeker, 2009—Patricia Starr, 2010—Music Departments of Bishop Neumann & Wahoo Public, 2011—Crystal Vandevoorde, 2012—Wahoo Saddle Club, 2013—Sheila Dokulil, 2014—Cindy Nabity, 2015—Julie Baker-Anderson, 2016—Galen Boldt, 2017—Megan Reisen, 2018—Mary Bergan, 2019—Hunter Boe, 2020—Bishop Neumann High School Drama Program, 2022—Marcene Havelka, 2023 Saunders County Historical Society, 2024-Krazy Quilters

Clarence Anderson Award

Clarence Anderson was a writer.  His audience was children. This inspired him to be creative and innovative and known world-wide for his approach to life, work and education.

Past Winners:  2001—Marlene McDonald, 2002—Lynn Wilson, 2003—Betty Patzloff, 2004—Jean Tesinsky, 2005—Jack Tillman, 2006—Denise Lawver, 2007—Larry Fangman’s Creative Writing Program, 2008—Carrie Trutna, 2009—Mary Miller, 2010—Pam Lausterer, 2011—John Harris, 2012—Priceless Preteen Leadership Program, 2013—Jason Stevens, David Privett & John Sutton, 2014—Jill Johnson, 2015—Kathryn Nygren, 2016—Corky Forbes, 2017—Divis Pyrotechnics, 2018—Colleen Sutton, 2019—Friends in Faith, 2020—Amber Scanlon, 2022—Alissa Hansen, 2023-Sue Dubois, Union Bank & Trust

Bennett Sisters Award

Wahoo’s Laudenschlager sisters (known as Bennett on CBS radio) worked together to make things happen.

Past Winners:  2001—Ruth Way Anderson, 2002—Debra Hohl, 2003—Christmas on the Prairie Steering Committee, 2004—Crossroads Band, 2005—WARA Board & Kevin Stuhr, 2006—Saunders County Amusement Association, 2007—New Era in Healthcare Steering Committee, 2008—VFW Christmas Drive, 2009—Lisa Brichacek, 2010—Wahoo Trails Committee, 2011—Wahoo High School Class of 1959 (All-Class Reunion Committee), 2012—Wahoo Lion’s Club, 2103—Saunders County Ministerial Association, 2014—Ron & Cindy Bartek, 2015—The Backpack Program, 2016—Erik Alm & Paul Eddie, 2017—Melissa Harrell & Kevin Stuhr, 2018—Year of The Deer Committee, 2019—Wahoo Area Kiwanis Club, 2020—Bishop Neumann/Wahoo FFA, 2022—Wahoo Community Foundation, 2023-Doc Little Wahoo Dog Park, 2024-Rachel Hull

Macel Hoppe Award

Macel was a sole entrepreneur, was very active in Chamber, and gave to the community.  She was a great and dependable volunteer for the Chamber

Past Winners  2001—Jane Stastny, 2002—Michelle Truax, 2003—Joe Spicka, 2004—Janet Jonas, 2005—Diana Pfeiffer, 2006—Jim Woita, 2007—Jane Wiebold, 2008—Mary Pruss, 2009—Marilyn Carney, 2010—Al Grandgenett, 2011—Merle Hennings, 2012—Dan Lanik, 2013—Maureen Freeman-Caddy, 2014—Phil Dawson, 2015—Karen Kennedy, 2016—Kathy Kliment, 2017—Joe Vculek, 2018—Lisa Brichacek, 2019—Candi Johnston, 2020—Stacy Ideus, 2022—Kathryn Nygren, 2023-Kate DeCoste, 2024-Julie Lausterer

Envision Wahoo Award

This award is dedicated to all of those who see the value in keeping community heritage and business tradition alive in Wahoo.  They are the entrepreneurs that make our community unique.

Past Winners  2004—Charlie Emswiler, Wahoo Locker & Scott Buresh, Wahoo Bakery, 2005—Clayton & Sylvia Wade, Wigwam Café, 2006—The Pressroom, 2007—Jerry Johnson, 2008—Loren Lindahl, 2009—Rob Brigham, 2010—Jan Malousek, 2011—Lindley Clothing, 2012 Jim Simons, 2013—Ryan Watts, 2014—Jerry Divis, 2015—The Wahoo Newspaper, 2016—Tammie Tonniges, 2017—Mike & Erin Simons, 2018—Rex & Diane Kumpula, 2019—Wahoo State Bank, 2020—Starlite Event Center, 2022—Wanahoo, LLC & Buckmaster Construction, 2023-Jesus & Claudia Zaragoza, 2024-Denise & Mike Lawver

Citizen of the Year Award

This award is dedicated to people who see themselves as the everyday citizens of Wahoo. But, to the people around them – the people who see what a difference just one person can make – the Citizen of the Year is much more. These are the people who we salute and celebrate.

Past Winners:  2019—Lyle Torrens, 2020—Judy Stukenholtz, 2022—Sarah Kruse, 2023-Steve Grieser, 2024 Beckie Lacey

Terry O’Brien Business of the Year

2007—JEO Consulting Group, Inc.

2008—Sid Dillon

2009—Saunders Medical Center

2010—Wahoo Pharmacy

2011—Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer

2012—Edward Jones, Al Grandgenett

2014—State Farm, Dianna Pfeiffer

2015—Title Services of the Plains

2016—Region V Services

2017—Denver Plastics

2018—Found & Flora

2019—Makovicka Sylliaasen Physical Therapy

2022 - Wahoo Concrete

2023-Rivalry Apparel Headquarters

2024-Wahoo Locker