Hometown Heroes honored at Rowlett Chamber awards banquet

Rowlett High School cheerleaders provide fanfare for award recipients

ROWLETT, TX (May 9, 2022) – The Hometown Heroes Awards Banquet hosted by the Rowlett Area Chamber & Visitors Center presented by Atmos Energy, was held on Friday, May 6, 2022. The event theme was “Our Hometown” and featured displays of historic items, pictures and memorabilia from a variety or Rowlett partners.

“This was the best hometown Heroes event we’ve held,” said Mark Hall, the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, “It was amazing to honor Rowlett’s heroes – medical, educational, first responders, veterans and more.”

Suzan Fulton, the Vernon Schrade Heritage Hall of Fame recipient has served Rowlett for many years as a business owner, director of the non-profit Amateur Community Theater of Rowlett, and the gracious host of the Chamber’s weekly networking for 2 years.

The recipient of the Big ‘R’ Pacesetter, the Chamber’s highest community award, Eva Hummel, has also served the community and the Chamber for many years. She served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for more than 8 years, continues to serve as an ex officio member of the Chamber board, and serves on the Economic Development Advisory Board. Eva volunteers at multiple events and sponsors several non-profit organizations in the community including the Chamber, Life Message, Rowlett Citizens Corps Council, Keep Rowlett Beautiful, and others. She was honored with the May 2021 Spirit of Rowlett award and the 2019 Rowlett Chamber Chairman’s Award.

The award recipients are:

Police Officer of the Year – Officer Hunter Hornick, sponsored by the Rowlett Firefighters Association

School Resource Officer of the Year – David Norberg, sponsored by W3 Electric

Teacher of the Year – Erin Burkey, Liberty Elementary School, sponsored by My Computer Guy

Principal of the Year – Duke Barnett, Coyle Middle School, sponsored by Texas Advancement Center

Public Works Employee of the Year – Ezra Fulkner, sponsored by Goody Goody

Firefighter of the Year – Michael Garrett, sponsored by Rest Haven Funeral Home

Nurse of the Year – Debbie Barnaby, RN, sponsored by Proceed Pay

Health Professional of the Year – Dr. Lince Varughese, sponsored by Guild Mortgage

Veteran of the Year – Michael Kuklenski, sponsored by Veterans Resource & Outreach Center

Vernon Schrade Heritage Hall of Fame – Suzan Fulton, sponsored by Centennial Steel

Big “R” Pacesetter Award – Eva Hummel, sponsored by Housewarmers of Rowlett

Atmos Energy was the presenting sponsor of this year’s banquet. Other sponsors include:

Sapphire Sponsors: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe
Pearl Sponsor: Whataburger of Mesquite and Republic Services
Table Sponsor: My Computer Guy
Candy Table Sponsor: Centennial Steel
Photo Booth Sponsors: Oracle Insurance and Chick Fil A

Guests were greeted by Coyle Middle School Cheerleaders as they entered the banquet and award winners were cheered by Rowlett High School cheerleaders.

Submitted press release, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Professional photos were taken by Jeff Winget Photography and can be viewed at https://jeffwingetphotography.lightfolio.com/gallery/rowlett-chamber-hometown-heroes-banquet.