• PHS senior Kyah Weeber was called up to the stage twice during the program — first for winning the Future First Citizen award and then as the recipient of Philomath Chamber of Commerce Annual Memorial Art Helkey Scholarship. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The event was hosted by emcees Billy Scott, at the podium, and Janelle Marcotte, far left. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The chamber was accepting donations for the Weekend Backpack program at the Feb. 7 event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kyah Weeber pauses for a photo with an oversized $1,000 check. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kyah Weeber (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Chamber board member and co-emcee presents Kyah Weeber with the Future First Citizen award. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Aileen Schrock (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Jennifer Ringwald (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Brittany Kennedy (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Christopher McMorran provided a few comments as the evening got started. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Christopher McMorran accepts a Samaritan Award for Gary Conner, who recently completed six years of service on the Philomath Planning Commission. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Christopher McMorran (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Yvonne McMillan (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Yvonne McMillan (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tyana Newbill accepts the First Citizen Award for Janel Lajoie, who was not able to attend. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Brittany Kennedy (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Shelby Juhl (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tyler Johnson with Frolic and Rodeo queen Alora Wright. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • First Citizen award winners at Friday night’s Samaritan Awards included, from left, Kyah Weeber (Future First Citizen), Trey Ecker (Junior First Citizen), Janel Lajoie (First Citizen, accepted by Tyana Newbill) and Yvonne McMillan (Senior First Citizen). (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Trey Ecker (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Trey Ecker (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • 2025 Samaritan Awards (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Katrina Taylor Rickard of Cardwell Hill Cellars (Small Business of the Year), left, and Brittany Kennedy of the Philomath PTO (Nonprofit of the Year) accept awards during Friday’s event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Katrina Taylor Rickard of Cardwell Hill Cellars (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce board takes the stage. From left, Lindsey Free (Citizens Bank), Chelle Krantz (executive director), Rebecca Deeds (US Bank), Ashley Roush (Roush Family Construction), Stephanie Samuel (Applegate Door), Elsa Parmalee (La Rockita), Kyle Curtis (Curtis Flooring) and Billy Scott (Billy Scott Real Estate). Not pictured: Joe Marcotte (Marcotte Distilling) and Trevor Knapp (Philomath Frolic and Rodeo). (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Sunny Bennett (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Sunny Bennett (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Philomath Middle School Choir performs the National Anthem (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.