The annual banquet honored residents young and old

HERMISTON — Hundreds gathered the night of March 19 to honor Hermiston’s distinguished citizens, including the winners of the Woman and Man of the Year awards, Kay Edwards and Dave Rademacher.

For the 55th annual Distinguished Service Awards, flowers transformed the Hermiston Community Center into a springtime vision. During the event, more than 200 people drank, chatted and ate dinner prepared by Cookin’ Spoo Style.

The Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation hosted the ceremony for the second year in a row; previously, the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce handled the event.

Liz Marvin, the foundation’s executive director, said the evening went “really well.”

“It’s just an amazing community,” she said.

The annual ceremony highlights community members who have had a positive effect on those around them. Awards include Woman and Man of the Year, First Responder of the Year, Community Champion, Business of the Year and Outstanding Young Citizen. Information on winners was provided in a statement by the foundation by pulling from winners’ videos as well as nomination forms.

Woman and Man of the Year

Kay Edwards earned the 2024 title of Woman of the Year for her decades of work with youth athletics in Hermiston. Edwards advocates for equal sports facilities and opportunities for all children, such as permanent softball fields. She’s also worked for the cemetery board and helps with community religious events.

“Her commitment to coaching and mentoring has been profound, offering free lessons to young athletes, regardless of their financial situation,” according to the foundation. “Her ability to balance so many roles with grace and dedication exemplifies the qualities that make her an outstanding candidate.”

Her counterpart, Dave Rademacher, received the Man of the Year award because of all the work he’s done with Scouting America — Boy Scouts — and Hermiston Sports Boosters, the foundation said. His mentorship and coaching with youth basketball, in particular, helped ensure “local kids had every opportunity to shoot their shot — literally and figuratively.”

As a veterinarian, he also helped organize aid for Ukraine at the start of the war. He’s a member of the county’s search and rescue team, too.

“Whether it’s mentoring aspiring veterinarians, coaching a basketball team, or pitching in with a community project, Dave is there, giving his time, his heart, and his boundless energy to make the world a better place — one small act of kindness at a time,” the statement said.

Outstanding Young Citizen

Catherine Doherty may not have served Hermiston for decades, but the junior in high school still has made quite an impact. A two-sport varsity athlete, Doherty maintains an unweighted 4.0 GPA while serving as student body president and participating in Future Farmers of America.

Doherty helped launch the school’s Unified Basketball program, which connects students with and without disabilities as part of a Special Olympics program. She also served as a Umatilla County Fair Court princess in 2024.

“What truly sets Cate apart is her deep commitment to service,” the nominations said. “Cate’s accomplishments are impressive, but her character is what makes her truly outstanding. She is the type of leader who elevates those around her with her kindness, humility, and positive attitude.”

Other honorees

The awards banquet also highlighted the work of Scott Stanton, 2024’s First Responder of the Year. Stanton, fire chief for Umatilla County Fire District No. 1, implemented a community paramedic program and helps deliver first aid and CPR classes throughout UCFD’s service area.

Business of the Year went to Rogers Toyota of Hermiston, for its support of community efforts, including sponsoring a community paramedic vehicle as well as sponsoring local events. The nomination also highlighted the company’s positive and welcoming environment. Rogers Toyota takes a “hands-on approach to helping,” the company’s nominator said, adding that “it’s a pillar of our community.”

Another pillar of the community is Carlisle Harrison, who was recognized as Community Champion. Harrison was a founding member of the city’s parks and recreation committee in the 1970s and has since supported the growth of the area’s parks in many ways. He “played a key role in converting Riverfront Park from a farmstead into a vibrant community asset,” and he’s helped develop other parks and outdoor areas across the city.

“His legacy goes beyond physical projects, inspiring a culture of volunteerism and environmental stewardship that has shaped the future of parks in Hermiston,” his nominator said. “Carlisle has been a quiet yet relentless force for good.”

For more than 60 years, the foundation said, Harrison has acted on his values of resilience, inclusivity, environmental stewardship and a desire to make the community better.