The Denton County Republican Party honored its activists from around the county Thursday at its annual Volunteer Dinner.
Camille Johnson, precinct chair in Carrollton, received the coveted Precinct Chair of the Year Award, originated in 1998 to recognize the Denton County Republican Precinct Chair who has fulfilled his/her responsibilities in an exemplary manner.
In presenting the award to Johnson, Richard Steenson of Flower Mound, who won the award in 2010, praised Camille for her personal contact with her constituents. She was also commended for her role in co-founding and leading two conservative organizations, serving as Hospitality Chairman for the Denton County Republican Party, and for her faithful involvement in outreach within her community.
The prestigious Chairman’s Award went to Corey Haughton of Pilot Point. Haughton has helped build the Denton County Republican Party in many outstanding ways, according to Chairman Dianne Edmondson, who presented the award. Her outstanding work to launch a countywide high school Republican club, as well as her service as Precinct Chair and dedicated activist has been invaluable to the Party, she said.
The DCRP’s highest award, that of Outstanding Volunteer, was presented by Deon Starnes, a previous recipient of the award. The award went to Dave Smith of Lewisville in recognition of his years of unselfish volunteerism at many events and within county community organizations in numerous ways.
A new award was launched at this year’s dinner to recognize the work of Republican Area Leaders across the county. Connie Hudson of The Colony was the first recipient of this Area Leader of the Year award, presented by First Vice Chairman of Political Affairs, Kelly Sayre. Sayre praised Hudson for her exemplary work leading the Republican precinct chairmen in her area.
GOP clubs from across the county recognized their Outstanding Members. Those honorees included: Rhonda Wood (Denton Republican Women’s Club); Rudy Cajka of Robson Ranch (Denton County Republican Assembly); Whitney Brubaker of Frisco (Frisco Area Republican Women’s Club); Kathy Braby of The Colony (Legacy Republican Club); Juli Luke of Corinth (Ladies of Liberty Republican Club); Suzanne Gilbert of Lantana (Flower Mound Area Republican Club); Peggy Stodola of Carrollton (Golden Corridor Republican Women); Mandi Rivers (Denton County Young Republicans); David Higgins of Robson Ranch (Robson Ranch Republican Club); Garry Mayes of Justin (Tri County Republican Club); Sylvia Acuff of Dallas (Carrollton Conservative Republican Club) and Jerry Raburn of Lewisville (Lewisville Area Republican Club).
Additionally, Joe Norcross of Corinth and Dianna Mattison of Carrollton were honored as outstanding headquarters volunteers and recognition was given to all veterans attending.
State Senator Jane Nelson of Flower Mound acted as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Senator Nelson was honored with a special Rock Solid Conservative award presented to her by the Denton County Republican Party for her faithful commitment to conservative policies and issues.
Republican National Committeeman Dr. Robin Armstrong gave the keynote address and over 150 people from across North Texas attended the event, according to Edmondson.
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