WASHINGTON CITY —With an introduction of Washington Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Ed Tracey belting out a version of Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” the chamber’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Installation and Community Hall of Fame Awards Gala got a hurricane of a start Thursday night.

With the red carpet rolled out and some 200 in attendance, the event started at 6 p.m. and lasted until almost midnight with dinner, a ceremony and dancing at the Heritage Arts and Events Center.

Identity Crisis, a rock ‘n’ roll cover band dressed in Scottish kilts, provided the music and entertainment. And the event started with a cranberry walnut apple salad, chicken and mashed potatoes and raspberry cheesecake. Each table was decked in a rock ‘n’ roll theme with a vinyl record and a logo of a rock band.

During the ceremony, the chamber presented awards to Washington City residents and organizations who are now enshrined in the community hall of fame.

The following awards were presented:

Student of the Year: Isaac Jorgensen

Crimson Cliffs High School Assistant Principal Renee Martineau presented the award to Jorgensen, a Crimson Cliffs senior who has helped with fundraising within the community, including one event which raised over $7,000.

He also is a former state champion and national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) award recipient, as well as a Junior Air Force ROTC member, youth council member and former manager at Chik-Fil-A, where he started working while in eighth grade. He is currently a team leader at Swig.

Educator of the Year: Burke Staheli

The award was presented by Washington City Councilman Kurt Ivie.

“He is the undisputed motivator in my life,” Ivie said. “He is all about love, unity, kindness, forgiveness and bringing people together for good.”

Staheli just retired from the education system, in which he spent the length of his career working various positions for the Washington County School District, which includes serving as principal of Washington Elementary and Riverside Elementary schools. Before this, he also taught and coached at Dixie High School and is a veteran of the National Guard.

Organization of the Year: Washington Lion’s Club

The award was presented by Washington City Public Affairs Officer Jordan Hess.

The Washington Lion’s Club has been operating locally for 50 years and is prevalent in local community efforts, including funding the city’s first street signs and fire station. They also sponsor scholarships, youth events and more.

Citizen of the Year: Aneita Millet

The award was presented by Burke Staheli, who happened to be a former Webelos Cub Scout under Millet 50 years ago.

Millet is locally recognized as the person who has cleaned up trash along Telegraph Street for years. And she decorates her house for every holiday, with hundreds of people visiting to see the decorations.

Networker of the Year: Julian Chung

The award was presented by Tracey.

Chung is newer to Washington City, having relocated from California to the area after visiting in 2020. She is a stem cell production expert for Myonetics Wellness, which uses patches that help with the overall wellness of people and animals. Her research and products are used by professional athletes worldwide. One such product is Lifewave patches.

She also is reportedly creating a nonprofit in the near future that will introduce better health and medical options.

Volunteer of the Year: Tyler Hunsaker

The award was presented by Tracey.

Hunsaker originally is from Las Vegas but now serves for the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, Root for Kids and Habitat for Humanity. He also is the founder and past chair for Washington City Rotary and the 2019 St. George Area Chamber of Commerce award recipient for customer service.

Business of the Year: Brother’s Keeper Construction, LLC

The award was presented by Tracey.

The company is a business that owns about 1,500 acres throughout the valley and is currently building 6,000-7,000 units, including single-family residences and apartments, as well as TapHomes and commercial.

They also offer a program aimed to help 18- to 35-year-olds meet successful business people, learn new skills and become productive citizens of the community.

Heart of Dixie Award: Carmen Snow

The award was presented by Sherrie Staheli Tate and Darci Hansen.

Raised in Washington City, Snow is a “professional volunteer,” as described by Tate, and involved in many civic events on local, state and national levels. She also is the current advisor for the Washington City Youth Council, which she helped found.

Mayor’s Choice Award: Dean Terry

The award was presented by Mayor Staheli.

“Dean Terry is a true friend to Washington City,” Staheli said.

Born and raised in Southern Utah, Terry is the owner of Dean T. Terry Investments, LLC. and also has deep roots in Southern Utah, as his family lineage is directly linked to the Terry Ranch in Enterprise.

He has developed multiple construction projects in the area, including the Washington Commons Hospitality Center and the Dixie Center. He was instrumental in building St. George, Washington, Pine Valley and more.

He is the former chair of the St. George Housing Authority, to which all the land where the complex sits was donated by Terry. And he helps out with the Cotton Days celebration.

Terry’s wife Carol was honored as well.

Staheli said, “it was a joint effort.”

Also presented were individual chamber awards and a swearing-in of the new chamber board member.

The night ended with everyone feeling the noise, dancing the night away and celebrating the best of home sweet home.

“We have had a great year with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce,” Tracey said. “2023 promises to be even better.”

Music in the video courtesy of Identity Crisis and Ed Tracey.

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