Clear Lake Chatter 1

Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman, the 2021 George B. Carlisle Award recipient, and wife Shannon arrive at South Shore Harbour Resort for the CCEF Gala.home for Christmas. Four of the Clear Creek Education Foundation honorees enjoy the reception held prior to the awards dinner. They are, from left, Eric Doyle, Steve Pratt, Scott Belshaw and Eric Mendoza. Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Dr. Andrea Patin at CCEF Gala. CCEF Chairman Carl Joiner and wife, Colene, left, welcome CCISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams and his wife Michelle to the annual Awards Banquet, held at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City.

CCEF raises nearly $110,000 at annual awards celebration

THE CLEAR CREEK Education Foundation set a new record this year at its Annual Awards Dinner at South Shore Harbour Resort – raising nearly $110,000 for its innovative programs supporting students in the Clear Creek School District. Themed “Bright Stars, Brave Hearts,” the event drew a crowd of almost 300 who came to applaud this year’s elite group of individuals being honored for their outstanding efforts and contributions to CCISD. The focal point of the evening included the 2021 award recipients:

DAN NEWMAN – George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award for consistent commitment to CCISD over time. SCOTT BELSHAW, Ph.D. (CLHS ’89), ERIC MENDOZA (CBHS ’17), DR. ANDREA PATIN (CCHS ’00) – Distinguished Alumni Award which honors individuals who have excelled in their chosen profession and have made significant contributions to their communities. CAPT. ERIC DOYLE -- Valor Award which honors a public servant (military, police, fire, etc.) who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. STEVE PRATT of Esteban’s Café and Cantina – Dennis Johnson Memorial Small Business Award recognizes a local entrepreneur within CCISD who demonstrates unwavering commitment to the district through active participation in multiple activities. THE LATE RALPH PARR – CCISD Citizen of the Year which recognizes an outstanding member of the community who consistently demonstrated commitment to CCISD and excellence in public education through volunteer efforts. It is bestowed by the CCISD Board of Trustees and the CCEF.

“Our community wholeheartedly showed their support of our mission on this very special veteran’s day,” CCEF Chairman Carl Joiner said afterwards. “It was heartwarming to see our community come together to recognize these outstanding individuals and support education in our outstanding school district, Clear Creek ISD.”

Among those attending were Sen. Larry Taylor, Kim

and Dr. Greg Bonnen, Sara and Dr. Glenn Freedman,

Wayne and Marilyn Musial, Cindi and Col. William McArthur, CCISD Trustee Jonathan Cottrell, former CCISD Trustee Ann Hammond, Traci and Richard Dvorak, Greg and Pam Ploss, Dan and Jill Reason and retired CCISD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Mossman.

Glancing around, you also might have spotted Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams and his wife, Michelle; retiring Assistant Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle, banker Mike Huss, Carl and Colene Joiner, Kelli

Byrd, Jenny McCorkle, Lisa Holbrook, Elaina Polsen,

Janet Brown, Cindy and Col. William McArthur, Elaine and Gary Renola, Jim and Jane Sweeney, banker Bill Provenzano and his wife Wendy, Greg Prince and Ana Davila with PBK Architects and Big Sky Cadillac exec Chris Premont and his wife Nina in the happy crowd.

Some of the others joining in the fun were Donald and

Kimberly O’Connor, Mary Ann Shallberg, Tim and Debbie Kropp, Joe and Peggy Schrodi, John Aaron and Emily Matthew, David Laine, Scott and Stacey Howard, Frank Urbanic, Chris and Darren Rylant, Jessica Gilbert, Scott and Stacey Howard, Rebecca Lilley, Kippy Caraway, Scott Rainey and Martha

Bowles, Kevin Venable and the spouses of honorees – Shannon Newman, Annette Doyle and Claudia Parr.

The ladies in red -- CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine, Event Chairman Chris Rylant, Rosemary Lagrone and Jill Reason, from left – get together for a photo to remember the evening. Ralph Parr CCISD Citizen of the Year Other highlights of the Nov. 11 evening included silent and live auctions, a David Yurman bracelet and necklace raffle item donated by Lewis Jewelers, a $500 Amazon gift card raffle item and Debi Starr live painting feature donated by Chemical Process and Production, and a photo booth donated by Oh, What Fun. Local community celebrities shared their time to make the event a very MARY ALYS CHERRY special evening for all with Sen. Larry Taylor as auctioneer, Kelly Williams singing the National Anthem and astronaut Col. William McArthur serving as master of ceremonies. The event was planned by a 16-person volunteer committee that included: CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine; Chairman Christine Rylant and committee members Janet Brown, Kelli Byrd, Traci

Dvorak, Kimberly Fleming, Lisa Holbrook, Carl Joiner, Rosemary Lagrone, Laura Mackay, Sarah Moutz, Greg Ploss, Jill Reason, Ruth Rendon, Mary Ann Shallberg

and Elizabeth Wiehle Wang. Awards Dinner Chairman Chris Greg Ploss stops to say hello to Rylant is happy to see State Jennifer Wycoff during the Clear Sen. Larry Taylor as he arrives Creek Education Foundation at at the annual celebration. South Shore Harbour Resort.