District Recognition 2021
This page highlights national awards available to district leadership and the most recent winners.
Bronze, Silver, Gold District Chair Awards
Each year, the top district and district chair based on chapter strength are awarded 8 units, the next three receive 4 units, and the next nine receive 2 units. All others receive 1 unit. Chairs accumulate units, and when a chair has accumulated 4 units they are given bronze, 6 units they are given silver, and 8 units they are given gold.
2021 Winners
Tim Baldwin, Heart Of America (MO)
Paul Gaba, Florida Oceanfront
David Huston, North Texas Longhorns
Nicole Jennison, Sierra (CA)
Greg Malis, Louisiana
Heath Martin, California Coast (CA)
Christopher McDonald, Southern Minnesota
Zachary Prax, Central Minnesota
Justin Seiwell, Eastern Missouri
Eric Skoglund, East Kansas
Beth Young, Pittsburgh (PA)
Eric DiMichele, New York City
Jeremy Fitzpatrick, West Iowa
Gregg Osborn, Southern California
Michael Bassett, Northern Ohio
Irlonde Gagnon, Wind River (WY)
Megan Hagaman, West Kansas
Maryrose Kohan, Rocky Mountain-South (CO)
Frank Rivera, Heart Of Texas
Kathy Tobin, Ozark (MO)
Joseph Ugalde, East Los Angeles (CA)
District Leader Commendations
These awards recognize non-chair committee members in your district! Chairs usually nominate leaders for their outstanding service and contributions to the community. The National Office evaluates those nominations for awards.
2021 Winners
Nate Conoly from Deep South (AL) – For Excellence in “Tabroomology” and volunteerism
Victor Jih from West Los Angeles (CA) – For Excellence in stepping above and beyond
Patrick DeMartine from Rocky Mountain – North (CO) – For Excellence in developing district programs and resources
Chris Riffer from Three Trails (KS) – For Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
Sheridan Johnson from New Mexico – For Excellence in district communications/publicity, developing district programs and resources, providing district membership and engagement support, and championing or promoting district-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
Donna Szumila from Yellow Rose (TX) – For Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
Rachel Billings from Sundance (UT) – Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
Doris Sexton from Southern Wisconsin – For Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
District Growth Award
This goes to the district(s) which has added the most new schools in the season.
2021 Winner – Most New Schools: Montana East – Adam Thane, Chair – 18 Schools
2021 Winner – Highest Percentage Growth: Montana East – Adam Thane, Chair – 120% growth
District Charter Award
This to the district(s) which have chartered the most schools in the season.
2021 Winner – Montana East – Adam Thane, Chair – 5 new chartered schools
District Degrees Award For Most New Degrees
This goes to the district with the most number of new degrees in the season.
2021 Winner – California Coast – Heath Martin, chair – 2055 degrees
2021 Winner – Hudson Valley – Joseph Vaughn – 48.5% growth in degrees
Nationals Participation Award (Most Schools In Attendance)
This goes to the district(s) with the most number of school in attendance at the National Tournament.
2021 Winners
2021 Winner – Most Schools in Attendance – West LA (CA) – Robert Lebeda, chair
Nationals Participation Award (Percentage of Schools In Attendance)
This goes to the district(s) with the highest percentage of schools attending the National Tournament from their district.
2021 Winner – Highest Percentage of Schools (tie) – Sagebrush – Christy Briggs
2021 Winner – Highest Percentage of Schools (tie) – Rushmore – Travis Dahle
Best Chair Communications
Given to the chair whose efforts in informing and motivating their district leadership are exemplary to others.
2021 Winner – Julie Roos, Golden Desert (NV)
Best New Chair
Given to an outstanding chair in their first year of service.
2021 Winner – Micah Everson, Magnolia (MS)
Chair of the Year
Given to the chair whose work best exemplified the role.
2021 Winner – Adam Thane, Montana East
Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service
Given to the chair whose career in district leadership exemplifies the role.
2021 Winner – Linda Shipley, East Oklahoma