Idaho’s Hometown Hero Medal ceremony honors
Idaho’s Hometown Hero is a medal given to outstanding Idahoans across the state for various good works.
The Idaho’s Hometown Hero committee looked through 70 to 80 nominations, making this award one of the top awards to receive in the state.
As provided by the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal committee, the 2013 medal recipients are:
James C. Everett (Boise): James C. Everett leads the Treasure Valley YMCA’s operation of 90 different locations, four facilities, 17 child care centers (the largest provider of child care and youth services in the state), and the Y Camp at Horsethief Reservoir.
Tom and Bessie Katsilometes (Boise): The first joint medal recipients, Tom and Bessie Katsilometes are firstgeneration Greek-Americans who have dedicated themselves to lifelong self-improvement and community service from Pocatello to Boise while also helping so many others to enhance their own opportunities.
Howard Manwaring (Pocatello): In addition to his current role as a second- term Bannock County commissioner, Howard Manwaring has dedicated 30-plus years working with at-risk youth and their parents through programs such as Bannock County’s Sheriff’s Camp and Short Stop.
Nicholas Newby, in memoriam, (Hayden): Remembered for his larger-than-life personality and smile that could light up a room, Spc. Nicholas W. Newby was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 7 2011. He was 20 years old. His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Combat Action Badge, among others.
Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter (Boise): Idaho Gov. CL “Butch” Otter’s life has been dedicated to the advancement and betterment of the state of Idaho having served in elected office for more than three decades. Otter has been instrumental in the Idaho Meth Project, a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing methamphetamine use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach.
Dr. Don Pates (Rupert): 61 years into his profession, Dr. Don C. Pates is still a practicing physician at 89 years old. Dr. Pates is a wellrespected doctor, golfer, skier, motorcyclist, World War II veteran, husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose philanthropy crosses over from Idaho to South Dakota.
Staff Sgt. Randy Sellers (Pocatello): Staff Sgt. Randy Sellers has served in the Army since 2001, has survived five war zone deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and is the recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for his unbelievable dedication and sense of honor to his country, and to those young men who have served in his command.
Jose Antonio Quezada (Aberdeen): Having migrated from Mexico City, self-proclaimed cowboy and cattle rancher Jose Antonio Quezada is a talented artist and community activist making selfless contributions towards the advancement of the Latino community and through his art, which connects the Latino community’s sense of identity and self to his mission of encouraging community members to take ownership for the overall advancement of their lives and education.
Angie Smoot (Boise): In May 2013, at great risk to herself, Angie Smoot intervened to stop a sexual assault on another woman at the Boise Town Square Mall and was subsequently injured when the perpetrator deliberately ran her down in his vehicle. As a working Idaho mother and wife, deeply engaged in the day-to-day business of raising her family, Angie Smoot embodies the true spirit of the every-day hero that lives quietly among us.
Hero Shiosaki (Blackfoot): World War II veteran Hero Shiosaki has lectured to more than 200 history and government classes about the evacuation and internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and conducted the Memorial Day services at the Pocatello Mountain View Cemetery for 442 deceased for the last 40 years, and continues to speak at Veteran’s Day programs in the Blackfoot area.
Drs. Fahim and Naeem Rahim created The Idaho’s Hometown Hero Medal in 2011 after both received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Since that time, the organization has donated thousands of dollars to various charitable causes, includingBright Tomorrows Child Advocacy,Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack Program and are the largest donors to date for the Charlotte Fire reseeding project.
For more information about the IHHM, follow this link:http://www.idahohometownhero.org/.
