2024 Annual Sikeston Chamber Awards 10/17/24

Staff members of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism pose for a photo at the 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism staff members and Sikeston R-6 School District administrators pose for a photo at the 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. Pictured are, from left: Marcie Lawson, CEO of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism; Taylor Deere, membership and program director of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism; Katie Merideth, workforce director of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism and Sikeston R-6 Board of Education member;  Shannon Holifield, superintendent of Sikeston R-6 Schools; and Tiffany Morgan, assistant superintendent of secondary education.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Steve McPheeters speaks to the crowd after receiving the “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Steve McPheeters speaks to the crowd after receiving the “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Steve McPheeters speaks to the crowd after receiving the “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Steve McPheeters receives a standing ovation after being announced as this year's recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Alan Keenan, 2023 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, speaks about this year's honoree, Steve McPheeters, during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Members of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee, which was the winner of the “Civic Group of the Year Award,” watch the virtual presentation about them during Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Members of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee, which was the winner of the “Civic Group of the Year Award,” watch the virtual presentation about them during Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Members of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee, which was the winner of the “Civic Group of the Year Award,” accept the award on stage during Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat) (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Members of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee receive a standing ovation after being named the “Civic Group of the Year” during Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Taylor Deere, membership and program director of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism, welcomes during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Marcie Lawson, CEO of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism, addresses the crowd during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

The crowd is seen during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

The crowd is seen during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Mykah Chappell, left, accepts the “Educator of the Year” award from Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Shannon Holifield during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Abbi Lindsey, left, accepts the “Volunteer of the Year" award during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper James Williams, left accepts the “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” award during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Zach Fayette accepts the Leadership in Action Award from Katie Merideth, workforce director of Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism, during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Walt Modde, left, accepts the “Distinguished Service Award” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

On behalf of Edge Realty, Pamela Dannenmueller, left, and Lauren DeWitt accept the "Small Business of the Year" award during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Joel Evans, president and CEO of Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corp., or DAEOC, accepts the “Business of the Year" award during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport.  (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Shannon Holifield, 2023 Citizen of the Year, speaks about the 2024 recipient, John McHaffie during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

John McHaffie speaks in a recorded video message after being named the “Citizen of the Year” during the Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism’s 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport. Looking on at the podium is last year’s recipient Shannon Holifield. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)