First Baptist Church holds its annual AWANA Awards Program

First Baptist Church of Waukon held its 40th annual AWANA Awards Program Wednesday, April 27. Clubbers were recognized for work completed throughout the past year, some of those pictured in the surrounding submitted photos.

Bibles were given to 15 first-time club members who completed 10 sections in their handbooks. Commander Larry Gelo welcomed the parents and guests. Truth and Training, Sparks and Cubbies members participated in the salute to the flags and the Bible. Clubbers recited favorite Bible verses they had memorized throughout the year, sang their theme songs and recited the books of the Bible. Clubbers received awards for completing a handbook and for participating.

Alaine Meier was recognized for 30 years of service to the AWANA program, most of those years as the AWANA Store Manager.

The following AWANA staff and leaders were recognized for their years of service: Denise Beyer, Technical Support, one year; Art Clocksin, Leader, two years; Craig Schrick, Leader, two years; Lisa Ewing, Leader, six years; Cindy Johnson, Cubbies Director and Leader, seven years; Elaine Goettel, Store Manager and Leader, seven years; Jeff Goettel, Game Director and Leader, seven years; Kristie Roeder, Leader, eight years; Kari Roney, Leader, 12 years; Camie Treptau, Leader, 16 years; Chris Kerndt, Song Leader, Prayerful Preparation and Handbook Leader, 17 years; Paul Promnitz, Leader, 18 years; Brenda Schmitt, Leader, 19 years; Pastor Duane and Cristina Smith, Youth Group Directors - Grades 7-12, 19 years each; Michele Wood, Sparks Co-Director and Leader, 20 years; Brenda Promnitz, Sparks Co-Director and Leader, 27 years; Pam Kerndt, AWANA Secretary and Truth and Training Director, 29 years; Alaine Meier, AWANA Store Assistant, 30 years; Dale Roney, Leader, 36 years; JoAnn Gelo, AWANA Commander, 38 years; and Larry Gelo, Commander, 40 years.

Other regular helpers and listeners included Nancy Hammond, Arlene Yearous, Jean Buntrock, Jean Schon, Dorothy Gelo, Barb Christianson, Susan Clocksin, Justin Gilbert, Denis

Kuhens, Cindy Kuhens, T.J. Treptau, Kortney Wood, Cheryl Nierling, Justin Berns and Karen Anderson. Refreshments were served following the awards program by Alaine Meier and others. Photos taken over the past 40 years were displayed and distributed to those who wanted them.

"Reflecting on our 40 years of AWANA, we are thankful for the amazing group of young people that we have had a chance to work with, and that God is raising up such a solid group of godly leaders," the Commanders shared. AWANA will begin September 7.