Community members and leaders packed the Audrain County 4-H building on Feb. 10. The night honored award recipients from the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Colonel C.R. Stribling Jr. Community Service recipient is Todd Yager. This is given for exceptional efforts on behalf of the community for an extended period of time. Todd and wife, Jayne own five funeral homes and several related businesses, most located in Mexico. He and Jayne also own Pig Up and Go, and most recently purchased Homestead Hearth building with plans to keep the quilt shop and remodel the upstairs ballroom as an event space. Outside of his professional affiliations, Yager serves on the Mexico School Board and is a former board president. He was involved with the Mexico Jaycees serving as Chairman of the Soybean Festival, and as a Mexico Optimist member, he ran Little-League Football for ten years. Yager also served on the Audrain Developmental Disability Board and was a long-time board member for the Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant.

Andy Runge recipient, Simmons Stables. Awarded to an individual or business who has brought great statewide or national credit or publicity to the Mexico area. Built in 1887 and in continuous operation until 2001, Simmons' Stables is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "The Arthur Simmons Stables Historic District."

Civic Award recipient, Bright Futures. Recognizes exceptional effort or a benefit conferred upon the Mexico Community during the twelve months. Bright Futures Mexico strives to help students, achieve success by matching student needs with resources through partnerships between teh school and the community.

Excellence in Tourism, Jaycees Soybean Festival-Recognizes marketing excellence in touring consumers and laudable service throughout volunteer efforts. The Soybean Festival has had its place in Mexico's culture for decades.

Philanthropic Achievement, Tyronn Lue-Designed to honor the philanthropy of those citizens whose monetary contributions that improve the quality of life in Mexico and the surrounding community. Mexico native, Tyronn Lue is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. He has continually given back to the community and taken every opportunity to support youth. Additionally, coach Lue orchestrates annual fireworks display every 4th of July in his hometown of Mexico, MO.

Educator of the Year, Alexandra Stuckenschneider-Recognizes services, commitment, excellence, and dedication in meeting the educational needs of their students. Mrs. Stuckenschneider began her teaching career at MU in 2006 where she started her undergraduate degree in education. She currently teaches Hawthorne Elementary and is in her 15th year.

President's Award, Dr. Scott Dudley-Given for outstanding contributions to Mexico Community. Dr. Dudley has worked for Audrain Community Hospital since June 2009 and has served as Medical Director of Emergency Medicine since 2013. When the hospital closed on March 25, 2022, Dr. Dudley was one of the last to leave that day but continued to show up and find ways to provide care for Audrain County. Dr. Dudley agreed to open the Walk In Clinic at Stribling building seeing up to 70 patients per day.