PCC Fremont Campus 8th Annual Hall of Fame Dinner
Three exemplary individuals were inducted into Pueblo Community College’s Fremont Hall of Fame at the Abbey Events Center Friday evening.
Sandra “Sandi” Allen is fondly referred to as the “Million Dollar Woman” for helping raise over $1 million for the Orchard of Hope Foundation. She helped form the local non-profit organization after being diagnosed with cancer and enduring 37 radiation treatments.
Sandi Allen accepts her award
During and after her 27-year working career culminated by her retirement as Human Resources and Marketing officer for Canon National Bank in 2001, Allen has been active in the Canon City Chamber of Commerce Prospectors and board, was designated as a lifetime member of the National Association of Chamber Ambassadors, and was president of the Canon City Kiwanis.
Allen has received numerous accolades including the Chamber’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2003, the Colorado Lions Foundation Humanitarian Award in 2005, the Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in Community Service Award in 2007 and the Canon Rotary Club’s Community Hero Award in 2011.
Mike and Cathie Merlino’s calling cards have been high moral, ethical and loving standards as well as being involved in and contributing to grass-roots efforts that benefit others. Many associate them with operating the family’s Merlino’s Belvedere restaurant successfully for 33 years, but they also have made a huge impact through their many community involvements.
Cathie was a board member for Adult Literacy while Mike used his leadership skills with the Chamber of Commerce for whom he served on sub-committees to help combat hunger in the community. They also were involved with the Orchard of Hope, Belvedere Blues Fest and Fremont Community foundations. They have always deflected recognition despite their noteworthy work.
In addition to honoring these wonderful community members, the 2014 Student Scholars were introduced. Funds from the 2014 Fremont Hall of Fame provided $3,000 in scholarship funds to Fremont and Custer County students attending the Fremont Campus of PCC. The recipients were: Kara Lantzy, Alex McMillan and Rita Rittenmeyer.
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- The Abbey is a wonderful place for a gathering.
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- PCC Fremont campus students helped welcome attendees–seated: Troy Ducker, Amanda Santiago, Jeremiah Pilcher; back: Bryan Dohrmann, Chad Curtis Jr., Kennessa Dalby
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- Del Wolfers, Barbara Leonard (board member), Charles Wolfers
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- Karl and Sarah Wurzbach
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- Board members Tammy Fesmire, left, (treasurer) and Marty Poole
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- Barb Pasco, left, and Katie Barr
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- Martha Pardue and Ted Adamic
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- Marty Poole, left, PCC Fremont Campus Dean Dr. Lana Carter and Debbie Herrera
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- Heidi and Adam Clanton of sponsor Sunwest Credit Union
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- Sarah Simmons, left, and Sally Miller
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- Sam Bouton, left, Bruce Bell, Lori Alexander and advisory committee member Susie Bell
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- Sabrina McCullough and John Pinter
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- Gregory Carlson and Nicole Robertson
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- Advisory committee member Pat Freda, left, and Keith and Jean Hovland
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- Bob and Carol Fredrickson, left, and Char Lindner
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- Shelley Stroebel, left, Whitney Stroebel and Kathy Herrin
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- Diane and Larry Oddo
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- Zach and Kara Lantzy–she was one of the scholarship recipients
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- Antoinette Smith, Myron Smith (advisory committee), board VP Mickey Moore and his wife Irene Elgart
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- Cathy and John Rigirozzi
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- Dr. Shirley Squier, past dean of the Fremont campus, with her husband Terry
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- Walter and Kathy Blair
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- Foundation Executive Director Martha Simmons chats with PCC President Dr. Patty Erjavec
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- Ray Erjavec, Martha Simmons and Dr. Patty Erjavec
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- Judy and Mike Near
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- Honorees Cathie and Mike Merlino
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- The St Thomas More Hospital sponsor table
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- Dr. Lana Carter, left, and Sheri Trahern (advisory committee)
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- Eric and Joanna Ingmire
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- Fremont Commissioner Debbie Bell, left, chats with Sandra Moore and Sam Bouton
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- Jolene and Jim Meisner
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- John Rigirozzi, left, and John Carochi
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- Board and advisory committee member Walter Schepp and his wife Gloria (past HOF inductees)
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- Larry Stingari, left, and Ken Berry
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- The OSIA Royal Gorge Lodge 2866 table
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- Paula Buser, left, Frances and Nick Carochi
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- Linda and Al Ballard, left, Shirley Ttroutman and Lloyd Harwood
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- Joyce and Rick Archuletta
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- Jim Meisner, left, chats with Preston Troutman
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- Cindy Jones-Shoeman, right, chats with Irene Elgart and Mickey Moore
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- Patty and Rockne Bosco, left, Dan and Shirley Gray and Amber Warman
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- Honoree Sandi Allen, left, with her friends Sally Miller and Deanna Hickson
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- Connie Mueller, left, and Char Lindner
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- Pat Freda, left, chats with Peggy Gair (both on advisory committee)
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec, center, chats with supporters
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- Emcee Ed Norden, left, chats with Preston Troutman
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- Gerry Buser, left, talks with Robin Gooldy (advisory committee)
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- Emcee Ed Norden kicks off the program
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- Pastor Bob Wahl gives the invocation
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- Katie Barr, left, and Tiny Striegel
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- The Abbey grounds at dusk
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- Canon City Mayor Tony Greer
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec welcomes everyone
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- Dr. Lana Carter thanks attendees and supporters
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- Alex McMillan receives his scholarship from Dr. Lana Carter
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- Scholarship recipient Alex McMillan with proud parent Joseph and Cat
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- Scholarship recipient Kara Lantzy and Dr. Lana Carter
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- Scholarship recipient Rita Mittenmeyer gave a heartfelt speech
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- Rita Rittenmeyer talks about her experiences
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- Rita Rittenmeyer’s daughter Annalee
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- Annalee and Rita Rittenmeyer
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- Dr. Shirley Squier, past dean of the Fremont campus, introduces honoree Sandi Allen
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- Dr. Shirley Squier is a past Hall of Fame inductee
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- Honorees Cathie and Mike Merlino get ready to accept their induction into the Hall of Fame
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec, left, Dr. Lana Carter and honoree Sandi Allen listen to the program
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- Cathie and Mike Merlino play along with Dr. Shirley Squier’s introduction game
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- Dr. Shirley Squier got some audience participation going
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- Dr. Shirley Squier congratulates honoree Sandi Allen
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- Sandi Allen accepts her award
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- Honoree Sandi Allen, left, with Dr. Lana Carter and Dr. Patty Erjavec
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- Honoree Sandi Allen and her husband Bud
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- Jim and Jolene Meisner introduce the Merlinos
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- Congrats from the Meisners to the honorees, the Merlinos
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- Honorees Mike and Cathie Merlino, left, Dr. Lana Carter and Dr. Patty Erjavec
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- Mayor Tony Greer delivers a proclamation
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- Ed Norden and Commissioner Debbie Bell
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- Commissioner Debbie Bell reads the county proclamation
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- Debbie Bell congratulates the Merlinos
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- Tiny Striegel is 93 years young
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- Tiny Striegel says a poem for the Hall of Famers as Ed Norden holds the microphone
