Katy Magazine Announces Katy People of the Year Awards
The publishers of Katy Magazine honored 10 extraordinary citizens at the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s general assembly meeting
Katy, TX (December 13, 2016) Today, Katy Magazine officially announced their People of the Year award winners at the Katy Area Economic Development Council General Assembly meeting held at the Education Support Complex. Ten outstanding Katy area residents were presented with awards in front of a large audience of business and community leaders at the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s monthly assembly meeting. The 10 honorees are also featured in the Dec/Jan issue of Katy Magazine and will be showcased in their upcoming Katy Business Magazine launching in early 2017.
This list of honorees includes Katy area residents from all walks of life– extraordinary educators, volunteers, heroes, and community leaders across Katy. The oldest honoree is 93-year-old Avadele Short, an active volunteer who’s logged more than 10,000 hours serving at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. The youngest honoree is Nolan Stilwell, age 27, a beloved Katy entrepreneur who thrives despite having Down syndrome. One honoree, Stan Stanley, was named posthumously, for his dedicated service and humanitarianism in Katy.
The 2016 Katy People of the Year Honorees are as follows:
- Andy Kahan, a dedicated crime victims’ rights advocate
- Avadele Short, a 93-year-old avid hospital volunteer
- Bob Bryant, Katy ISD’s former director of Fine Arts and new school namesake
- David Morrison, a community superhero who volunteers as HolyBatman to brighten the lives of children
- Karen Sparks, Katy ISD Restorative Practices Coordinator who has inspired hundreds of students
- Kay Callender, founder of Keep Katy Beautiful whose projects have won many awards
- Nolan Stilwell, creator of Sweet Heat Jam Co. and who also has Down syndrome
- Peter McElwain, Katy ISD’s leading planner and architect who is retiring after 18 years
- Stan Stanley, founder of the Katy Area EDC, school namesake, and community leader (Posthumous honoree who passed away March 29, 2016)
- Tina Hatcher, founder of Hope Impacts, an organization that helps transform the lives of Katy’s homeless
“We couldn’t be more honored to celebrate these extraordinary citizens who are definitely making Katy a better place for all of us,” says Publisher Katrina Katsarelis. “Each honoree exemplifies the loving, caring spirt of Katy, Texas.”
Last year’s 2015 Katy People of the Year recipients included: Da’dra Greathouse, singer, songwriter, musician, and speaker; Rebekah Gregory, Boston Marathon bombing survivor; Andy Dalton, NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals; Christina Dismuke, 2016 TASA Region IV Elementary Teacher of the Year; Alton Frailey, former Superintendent of Katy ISD; Coach Gary Joseph, head coach for the Katy Tigers; Shari Nightingale, founder of Lindsay’s Light; Mayor Fabol Hughes, elected mayor in 2013 and reelected in 2015.
CONTACT: Katrina Katsarelis, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher Katy Magazine 281.579.9840 katrinak@katymagazine.com
