Thank you to everyone who joined us on February 7th, 2024 to celebrate the annual Best of Natchitoches Awards Luncheon presented by Onyx Wine & Cigar Lounge!
We had a wonderful time honoring the remarkable contributions of Natchitoches businesses in our community! The top three finalists were recognized and winners were awarded based on accomplishments from the last 12 months.
The Process
Criteria
The criteria for nominees for the Best of Natchitoches awards are as follows:
• Company management • Community service • Economic stability • Ethics and integrity • Growth of company • New jobs created for the community • Upward mobility for employees
Announcing the Winners
Winners receive a commemorative Best of Natchitoches award to display at their place of business, and a Best of Natchitoches award-specific seal to proudly display on their company website and promotional material.
Additional Best of Natchitoches Honorees 2023-24:
Ambassador of the Year
Russel Meissner
Lifetime Achievement Award
Janice Bolton
President's Award
Rebecca Blankenbaker
Elevate Award
Dustin Dauzat
2023 Leadership Natchitoches Graduates
Clarissa Brown-Smith
Brandi Carpenter
Kristen Carpenter
Crystal Conway
Halie Errington
Azizah Hamilton
Troy Henderson
Susan Johnson
Morgan LaCaze
Heather Montoya
Donovan Ohnoutka
Felicia Pinkney
Sarah Rachal
Brad Walker
Shaunte' Williams
NYP 4 Under 40
Kathryn Beaudoin
Dustin Dauzat
Lynda Hammett
Logan Lambert
Teachers of the Year
LSMSA - Ray Gandy, Jr.
NPSB Support Personnel - Tammy Hall
NPSB New Teacher - Taylor Womack
NPSB Early Childhood Teacher - Melissa Manasco
NPSB Elementary School Teacher - Victoria Hippler
NPSB Middle School Teacher - Lisa Williams
NPSB High School Teacher - Kristine Walker
Principal of the Year
Micah Coleman
Students of the Year
LSMSA - Sam Ryan
St. Mary 5th Grade Student - Hudson Harrington
St. Mary Jr High Student - Chloe Methvin
St. Mary High School Student - Ava Errington
NPSB 5th Grade Student - Rachel Key
NPSB Jr. High Student - Jasmyn Carpenter
NPSB High School Student - Molly Coleman
Elite Scholars Scholarship Recipient
Dinah Ellzey
The Awards
Rules & Regulations
Business awards are given on an annual basis and are based on the last twelve month's achievements. Individual awards will consider the cumulative impact of a professional.
A business must be a member in good standing with the Chamber to be eligible to win. Businesses may be nominated for multiple awards but can only be a finalist in one category. Past winners are ineligible to win in their previously awarded category for three years. (e.g. if AB Bakery won Best Small Business 2021, they are ineligible for a Best Small Business award through 2024; however, AB Bakery can qualify for other categories such as Best in Food and Beverage). On the fourth year past winners may apply again for the award.
Affiliate offices are eligible for nomination in any category that their parent organization has not already won in the past three years. Multiple affiliate nominees can be submitted, but an organization cannot have multiple affiliates as finalists.
