OTHELLO — The Othello Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards banquet on Friday night at Bethel Assembly of God Church in Othello.

In addition to awards, the banquet featured dinner, raffles and both a live and silent auction as business owners from around the community gathered.

The banquet gave the chamber members and business owners the chance to recognize citizens in the community that may not get recognized otherwise, incoming Chamber President Bob Richardson said.

“Being able to give them a pat on the back and recognize them is really the point of that banquet,” Richardson said. “It’s really something most communities should do.”

Richardson has been with the Othello Chamber of Commerce for about three years, he said. In his first term as president, he said he won’t look to change much, only build off what the Chamber already has going.

Othello chamber members honored three Teachers of the Year, Civil Servant of the Year, Citizen(s) of the Year and Business of the Year. The Chamber also awarded various businesses Excellence Awards for their support of the Othello Chamber over the past year.

Nicki Wilkins, a fifth-grade teacher at Hiawatha Elementary School, was named the K-6 Teacher of the Year. Hiawatha Principal William von Bracht introduced Wilkins, saying that the Othello elementary school teacher “didn’t see 30 students, but 30 individuals” in the classroom.

Wilkins said teaching is her passion, and called receiving this award “a blessing.”

“From the moment I was hired, I knew I had found the people that would encourage my strengths, encourage me in the hard moments, and create an environment where our staff can strive,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins said she didn’t grow up in Othello, but, anytime she leaves now, she can’t wait to come home.

Paul Oursland, a teacher and coach at Othello High School, received the first of two 7-12 Teacher of the Year awards handed out by the Chamber. After being introduced by Othello High School Assistant Principal Scott Swartz, Oursland said he credited the award to the students he’s taught since arriving in Othello in 2014.

“These students have taught me more than they, or I, could have thought when I arrived here in Othello,” Oursland said.

Desert Oasis High School Principal Josh Tovar received the final Teacher of the Year Award, being introduced by Superintendent of the Othello School District, Chris Hurst.

Tovar said he had learned hard lessons growing up that helped shape his work ethic today, which he now tries to share.

“I’m living proof that you don’t have to be a 4.0 student,” Tovar said. “You have to have work ethic, you have to want it.”

Jim Lomax introduced his coworker, Tiffany Cutforth, who was awarded the Civil Servant of the Year Award by the Othello Chamber. Cutforth has worked with the Othello Ambulance Service for 14 years, and Othello Community Hospital for 18.

Lomax said Cutforth is someone who helps out at local health events any chance she gets.

“Tiffany lives to help others,” Lomax said. “She’s tireless in this pursuit, and continues to find new ways to help her town.”

Othello Mayor Shawn Logan had the opportunity to introduce the Citizens of the Year in Othello, Roger and Sharon Ensz. The Enszes own what has become affectionately known around Othello as “the Seahawk House.” The Citizen of the Year award winners are also active in community events and cleanups year-round, Logan said.

In addition to their Seahawk decorations, the Enszes are also known for their Christmas light displays, a topic Roger Ensz touched on lightly after thanking everyone for the honor.

“People always want to know what happens to our electric bill,” Roger Ensz said. “The business sends us a letter that our consumption is way higher than all our neighbors, and we need to do something about it.”

The banquet crowd broke out in laughter.

Richardson presented Mar-Jon with the award for Business of the Year. Mar-Jon, a farm labor contractor founded in Othello by Jon Warling, brought four tables of employees to the banquet to celebrate the honor.

Warling cited how long each of his employees who joined him at the banquet had been with the company, ranging from one to 30 years.

The Mar-Jon founder said the business is “a family,” and credited all of his employees for the honor.