Love Your Community: The 2025 Ozark Community Awards Banquet
By Chris Russell, President/CEO, Ozark Chamber of Commerce

Each year, the Ozark Chamber of Commerce has the honor of hosting the Ozark Community Awards Banquet, a night dedicated to celebrating the incredible people who make our community stronger, brighter, and more connected. This year was no exception. The OC Gymnasium was transformed into an elegant venue, where community members, educators, first responders, and business leaders gathered for an evening of recognition, gratitude, and inspiration.

At the heart of the celebration were the individuals whose passion and dedication leave a lasting impact on Ozark. Their commitment to service, education, and business embodies the very essence of what makes this community so special.

Honoring Excellence in Education

Education is the foundation of our future, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedicated educators who shape the next generation. This year, we proudly recognized Nicki Garner as Elementary Teacher of the Year for her unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds at Ozark Elementary. Carole Joy Webb, named Secondary Teacher of the Year, continues to inspire students at Ozark High School with her innovative teaching methods and passion for learning.

Behind the scenes, two remarkable individuals provide invaluable support to our schools. Mary Jo Rainey was awarded Support Staff of the Year in the Operations and Business Division. Mary Anderson, who was honored with Support Staff of the Year in the Learning Division, work tirelessly to ensure that both the business and learning divisions run smoothly. Their contributions may often go unseen, but their impact is deeply felt by educators and students alike.

We also had the privilege of recognizing Kent Sappington as Leader of the Year for his transformative leadership within the Ozark School District. His vision and dedication have helped shape not only school programs but the very culture of education in our community.

Recognizing Business and Community Stars

Ozark thrives because of the businesses that serve as the backbone of our local economy. This year, we celebrated Heather Hill Farms as Business of the Year for their outstanding service and dedication to our community for many years before retiring and closing late in 2024.

We proudly honored our 2024 Chamber Star of the Year, Patty Quessenberry, who is a true pillar of the Ozark community. Her unwavering dedication was evident through years of volunteering, leadership, and service on numerous boards, including Past President of the Ozark PTA and School Board, Ozark Leads graduate, CC Library Foundation Board member, and Impact 100 member. She played a key role in rebuilding the Chamber’s Ambassador Program, strengthening connections, and securing sponsorships for major events like this years Awards Banquet, Showcase Ozark, the Welcome Home New Teachers Luncheon, and the Ozark Christmas Parade. Her passion for Ozark and relentless dedication left a lasting impact.

Saluting Our First Responders

The bravery and dedication of our first responders keep Ozark safe, and we were proud to recognize their service. Officer Thomas Richardson of the Ozark Police Department was named Police Officer of the Year for his unwavering commitment to protecting our community.

The room fell silent in admiration as we honored the Ozark Fire Protection District, Firefighter of the Year, Mathew Garrison whose individual courage, leadership and sacrifice in the face of emergencies remind us all of what true heroism looks like.

Additionally, we recognized Brittany Lathan as EMS Person of the Year for her lifesaving work with the Christian County Ambulance District. Her quick thinking and compassion have made a profound impact on the lives she serves.

Finally, we honored Officer Jacob Woodcock as Deputy Sheriff of the Year for his exemplary service with the Christian County Sheriff's Office. His dedication to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our residents is deeply appreciated.

The Finley River Community Foundation Citizen of the Year

The Finley River Community Foundation also honored their annual Citizen of the Year Award, and this year’s recipient was Heather Alder. Heather is a former business owner of Heather Hill Farms, a former alderman for the City of Ozark, and a former chamber board member. She continues to give back to the community through her volunteer work with several local nonprofit organizations and currently serves as an Ambassador with the Ozark Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to service and leadership has left a lasting impact on the community, and we are honored to celebrate her contributions.

A Night to Remember

As the evening came to a close, guests exchanged congratulations, shared stories, and reflected on the incredible contributions of the night’s honorees. The 2025 Ozark Community Awards Banquet wasn’t just about handing out awards—it was about celebrating the spirit of community, recognizing those who go above and beyond, and inspiring us all to continue making a difference.

To our educators, business leaders, first responders, and community champions—thank you. Your hard work, dedication, and passion are what make Ozark such a wonderful place to live, work, and thrive. We are grateful for you, and we look forward to another year of working together to make our community even stronger.

Until next year, let’s continue to love our community and support one another.

Chris Russell
President/CEO, Ozark Chamber of Commerce