Inside: Leadership Texarkana names 2020 Wilbur Awards recipients,
One organization and several individuals were honored with 2020 Wilbur
Awards.
Leadership Texarkana’s Wilbur Awards have been given annually since 1992, in memory of community servant and historian Wilbur Smith. Celebrating the power of one to positively impact our community, the awards honor adults, youth, and organizations that demonstrate exemplary leadership in the community and a commitment to working together for community excellence.
This year’s winners are:
■ Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, which provides events, services and gatherings to bring together present and future leaders to address challenges of businesses and community. It expanded training and leadership for the community, including a day-long event, Engaging Texarkana, to assist organizations in gaining knowledge in managing business.
■ Eric B. Cain is this year’s adult recipient of the Wilbur Award. A Texarkana community champion for more than 30 years, he believes in giving back and is known to have a servant’s heart. He is mission-oriented, a strategic planner and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Texarkana. He has served as a director on multiple nonprofit board.
For 10 years, he was the district assistant for then-Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas’ Fourth Congressional District, and then served as the Red Cross of Texarkana executive director. He currently serves as a vice president of business development at State Bank.
■ Jenna Williamson, received this year’s Wilbur Award for Youth Leadership. A recent TISD graduate, she served as the Texas High’s student council president as well president of the Texas State Association of Student Councils.
Jenna also represented TISD, Texarkana, and the state of Texas at the Vision Conference and National Association of Student Councils Convention. During her high school career, Jenna devoted more than 2,000 hours to volunteer work in the community. Having a hereditary neurological disorder since age 2, Jenna perseveres by not allowing it to define her. She strives for and is passionate about feeding the hungry and helping others in need.
2020 Wilbur Adult Honors also were presented to
■ Cranford Graves, known to be “a man after God’s own heart” because of his selfless nature. As a volunteer at Hands-On Texarkana, Operation Christmas Child, Laces of Grace, First Choice Pregnancy Center, and Men’s Christian Ministry, through his service he ministers to others. He developed Trunk or Treat that has served as many as 10,000 children on Halloween. He has been a councilman for Nash for several years. He currently serves as the minister at Antioch
Christian Church, and for the 18 years there, he has provided wedding, funeral services and hospital visits. Graves also served as the Bowie County School Bus Transportation director for 21 years and trained others who transported children.
■ Nelda Shavers is a pas
tor who began Kingdom International Church in 2015 after serving under the leadership and ministry and becoming an evangelist. She is a conference host, visionary, evangelist, minister, teacher, preacher and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Nelda Shavers Ministry International Women’s Ministries.
Shavers organizes women’s conferences throughout the world and opened a residential facility for girls. She opened Elijah’s House for girls at risk. She and her husband are the owners of All My Children Child Development Center, where she has served as director for 21 years.
■ Quinn and Irene Stanfill are two of PG’s biggest supporters. Quinn is known as the “go-to guy” and has been the head coach’s right-hand man and the announcer at football games. He created and designed the PG sports social media website and continues to manage it. He has led Bible studies and devotionals for the football team.
Irene is a teacher in the district, Booster Club president and the creator of “Hawks and Heels,” which has created and organized events to promote school spirit and engage attendance. She was instrumental in forming Moms of Football Players to provide snack bags for away games, decorate lockers and helping feed during playoffs.
2020 Wilbur Youth Honors also were presented to:
■ As a student at TASD, Adison Cummings participated in the Interact Club (sponsored by Oaklawn Rotary), helped with services projects including Night to Shine Special Needs Prom, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Race for the Cure, CASA Color Run and the Dragon Boat races. He has participated in Special Olympics events and monthly attends dances for adults with special needs held at Elk’s Lodge. He has over 350 volunteer community service hours in Texarkana and with his church. He has held leadership positions in several organizations.
■ A recent graduate of TASD, Garrett Fowler served as vice president and president of The Interact Club (sponsored by Oaklawn Rotary) and other community endeavors.. Garrett logged more than 400 community service hours as a high school student and has been involved at special needs dances for adults sponsored by Elk’s Lodge. Garrett is involved with Opportunities, Inc and Special Olympics events.
■ As a senior in 2020, Caroline Joyce was a topranked 2020 graduate at Pleasant Grove High School. Caroline has served as ambassador and volunteer for youth tennis and soccer leagues and served as part of the school’s Curtain Call Productions Encore Theatre Troupe. Caroline also served as Captain of the PG varsity tennis team. She is an avid volunteer.