Jaycee chapter receives two 'very rare' state awards

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Jaycees came home from this year's state convention with several awards -- so many, they've run out of room to display them.

This year, the Sikeston group received the Presidential Award of Honor and was named Top Chapter of the Year in the Chapter Leaderboards Parade.

Both awards are "very rare" to receive, said Ryan Merideth, who led the group in 2010. In fact, members can't recall the local organization ever winning either.

Individual Jaycees also won awards during the state convention held in January.

"We walked out with 12 or so awards, so it was pretty exciting," said Merideth. "We're very humbled by the acknowledgment -- it's always a good feeling when your hard work pays off."

Merideth said that after receiving so many awards, the chapter will have to build a new display case to showcase them. "But that's a good problem," he said.

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