District Recognition
This page highlights national awards available to district leadership and the most recent winners.
Bronze, Silver, Gold District Chair Awards
Each year, the top district and district chair based on chapter strength are awarded 8 units, the next three receive 4 units, and the next nine receive 2 units. All others receive 1 unit. Chairs accumulate units, and when a chair has accumulated 4 units they are given bronze, 6 units they are given silver, and 8 units they are given gold.
2023 Winners
Mariel Cruz, California Coast
Eric DiMichele, New York City
Jeremy Fitzpatrick, West Iowa
Jennifer Jerome, Nebraska
Christopher McDonald, Southern Minnesota
Renee Motter, Colorado Grande
Zachary Prax, Central Minnesota
Michael Bassett, Northern Ohio
Holly Custer, Eastern Ohio
Sarah Donnelly, New England
Irlonde Gagnon, Wind River (WY)
Phillip Helt, Show Me (MO)
Ryan Hennessey, East Texas
Kathy Tobin, Ozark (MO)
Joseph Ugalde, East Los Angeles (CA)
Perry Beard, Space City (TX)
Shannon Chamberlain, Utah-Wasatch
Kayla Crook, South Oregon
Micah Everson, Magnolia (MS)
Hannah Flake, New Mexico
Vicky Hyde, Inland Empire (WA)
Julie Laflen, South Kansas
Kim Lenger, Heart of America (MO)
Ryan Levesque, Florida Manatee
Shannon O’Donnell, Montana West
Rachel Page, Kentucky
Maggie Rietz, East Iowa
Julie Roos, Golden Desert (NM)
Andrew Tichy, Northern Lights (NM)
Marcus Vine, Hole in the Wall (WY)
District Leader Commendations
These awards recognize non-chair committee members in your district! Chairs usually nominate leaders for their outstanding service and contributions to the community. The National Office evaluates those nominations for awards.
2023 Winners
Stacy Goddard, Three Trails
Excellence in championing and promoting district-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
Matt Leland, Maine
Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
Megan Butt, Carolina West
Excellence in providing district membership and engagement support
Jonathan Robertson, Tall Cotton
Excellence in Technical, Administrative, and Moral Support
Chasity Hance , Ozark
Excellence in district communications and publicity
Yatesh Singh, Southern Minnesota
Outstanding support of the National Office through service, leadership, and volunteerism
Victoria Beard, Space City
Outstanding support of the National Office through service, leadership, and volunteerism
District Growth Award
This goes to the district(s) which has added the most new schools in the season.
2023 Winner – James Rye, Mockingbird District
District Charter Award
This to the district(s) which have chartered the most schools in the season.
2023 Winner – Cathy Brown, Florida Panther
District Degrees Award For Highest Percentage Growth of New Degrees
This goes to the district with the most number of new degrees in the season.
2023 Winner – Chris Coovert, Western Washington
2023 Winner – James Rye, Mockingbird (AL)
District Degrees Award For Greatest Number of New Degrees
This goes to the district with the most number of new degrees in the season.
2023 Winner – Mariel Cruz, California Coast
District Award For Most New Schools
This goes to the district with the most number of new degrees in the season.
2023 Winner – Jessica Sanchez, Virginia
Nationals Participation Award (Most Schools In Attendance)
This goes to the district(s) with the most number of school in attendance at the National Tournament.
2023 Winner – Robert Lebeda, West Los Angeles
Nationals Participation Award (Percentage of Schools In Attendance)
This goes to the district(s) with the highest percentage of schools attending the National Tournament from their district.
2023 Winner – Michael Bassett, Northern Ohio
Best Chair Communications
Given to the chair whose efforts in informing and motivating their district leadership are exemplary to others.
2023 Winner – Molly Beck, Eastern Missouri
Best New Chair
Given to an outstanding chair in their first year of service.
2023 Winner – Kelley Kirkpatrick, Puget Sound
Chair of the Year
Given to the chair whose work best exemplified the role.
2023 Winner – Rory McKenzie, UIL district
Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service
Given to the chair whose career in district leadership exemplifies the role.
2023 Winner – Christopher McDonald, Southern Minnesota