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North County Churches Uniting Presents Community Awards
North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU} celebrated its 14th year of its Annual Awards Dinner by presenting awards to outstanding individuals and organizations that have made a difference in making North County and the community a better place to live, work, and raise families.
For the last 14 years, it has selected seven outstanding individuals and organizations that have truly made a difference in the lives of others and in our community. President Rance Thomas said “For the first time, this year we presented eight awards as opposed to seven, because we had so many deserving organizations and individuals this year.”
The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to: Wesley Bell, professor of Criminal Justice at St. Louis Community College at Florissant and Ferguson Councilman for his outstanding commitment to the community and for his victory in the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s race.
Further, NCCU gave awards to two outstanding school superintendents, Nettie Collins-Hart, of the Hazelwood School District, and Joseph Davis of the Ferguson-Florissant School District for their outstanding commitment to education and their accomplishments in improving their districts. Also, NCCU presented the President’s Award to St. Rose Philippine Duchense Catholic Church for its commitment to improving race relations in our community. Metropolitan Congregations United was recognized for its untiring effort and commitment to making the whole St. Louis area a better place to live and work. And Greater North County Chamber of Commerce was recognized for dedicated work with businesses, organizations, and individuals to improve the quality of life for everyone in North County.
Finally, for the first time NCCU presented two Lifetime Achievement Awards, and they were presented to two well-deserving individuals who have made an outstanding longtime commitment to our community and to others. The first Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mayor Thomas P. Schneider of Florissant for his outstanding service to our community and the county. Mayor Schneider served two terms in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Navy, and he served 32 years on the Florissant City Council and has been mayor for seven years for the City of Florissant and always had the best interest of the City and North County in everything he did. The second Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sister Karl Mary Winkelmann, recently retired president of Trinity Catholic High School for her 54 years in education as a teacher, a principal, and president.
Master of Ceremonies was Rev. Cedric Portis, pastor of Third Presbyterian Church, and Rev. John Higgins of John Knox Presbyterian Church gave invocation, and Deacon Bill Twellman of St. Norbert Catholic Church gave the benediction. Guest speaker was Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League and music was provided by Byron Thomas, a recording artist from Fresno, CA. The event was held in the Paul F. Detrick Building Atrium at Christian Hospital Northeast.
PHOTO CAPTION: NCCU AWARDS: Front row, left to right: Ross Caravilli, Sister Karl Mary Winkelmann, Dr. Joseph Davis, Rev. Dietra Wise Baker. Back row left to right: Michael McMillan, Rance Thomas, Mayor Thomas Schneider, Venus Martz, Nettie Collins-Hart, Wesley Bell, and Barbara Thompson.
