Saturday night was the 2025 Community Awards Banquet hosted by Ivory Curry of Curry’s Cummunity Outreach Ministries in the junior high cafeteria on the Prescott Public Schools campus.  The evening was taken up with a fine Thanksgiving meal of a pork chop and turkey with dressing and several trimmings as well as an auction to help raise funds for the ministry’s work as well as the recognition of several groups and persons who helped lift up their community over the past year.

Among the speakers were Mount Ephesus Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Tyree, who gave the opening prayer, Frank Henson of First Baptist Church, PHS Agri Teacher James Cannon and Coach John Ware.  In keeping with the theme of the evening, Focus on the Children, many of the speakers, including Ivory Curry, shared their experiences acting in guidance of young people.  

Then came the auctioning off by Lynn Vandermeer of several donated items, including a 50” Smart TV, a vividly red and white afghan, a radiant quartz heater, a porch swing constructed by James Cannon, a red light thermal mask, a Christmas wreath, a set of wrenches and a tool box.  Sophia Dunn sang two gospel songs.  

The Awards Recipients had their names read and were called to the podium to be introduced by their spouses or co-workers.  The winners were as follows:

Small Business of the Year: HayBarn Championship Wrestling/Automotive

Citizen of the Year: Prescott High Football Coach Brian Glass

Outstanding Ministry of the Year: Ko-Fields Restaurant Team

Public Servant of the Year: Ashley May

Lifetime of Community Service Award: Vera Austin

Law Enforcement of the Year: Eighth District North Prosecutor Ben Hale

Organization of the Year For Youth Education in Agriculture: OYEA.

Above photo:  Citizen of the Year Coach Brian Glass with his wife Jill.

Above photo: Law Enforcement of the Year Eighth District North Prosecutor Ben Hale.  His wife Lizzy holds their son.