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Shoup, Pomeroy honored
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| Jean Shoup and Paul Pomeroy were all smiles after being receiving lifetime achievement awards. Banner-Press/Arthur Hahn |
By ARTHUR HAHN/Managing Editor
The “godfather” of the Brenham Childrens Chorus and an advocate for special needs children were honored Tuesday as “Man and Woman of the Year.”
Jean Shoup and Paul Pomeroy received lifetime achievement awards at the annual banquet of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Foundation.
Shoup, according to her nominator for the award, has “quiet strength” and “is dedicated to improving the lives of others, especially children ... (and is) a woman of deep commitment to higher causes of love, concern, empathy and a willingness to go the second mile.”
Lete Phillips, the 2003 woman of the year who introduced Shoup, called her “a wife, mother, a teacher, a businesswoman, a volunteer and a community leader.”
She has served as a Brenham school trustee, on the district’s Education Foundation, on the city of Brenham’s Hotel Tax Board and on the Trinity Foundation board, said Phillips.
Shoup is also a past president of the Independence Historical Society and the Lifetime Learning Association, but her greatest role has been “fighting for the less privileged and the disabled,” said Phillips.
With son Nick born with Down Syndrome, Shoup has served in the Association of Retarded Citizens, lobbying for their rights, Phillips said.
Her advocacy has grown to include others, including serving as homeless liaison for the Brenham school district and as a tutor for pregnant teenagers, Phillips added.
She and her husband Mike own and operate Antique Rose Emporium in Independence.
Shoup said, “I do greatly appreciate this honor. Thanks for all those kids out there. That’s what makes the world go ‘round.”
Pomeroy, a retired attorney, has been a tireless contributor to a host of programs in Washington County, said Steve James, the 2002 man of the yea who introduced Pomeroy.
James said Pomeroy has performed legal work pro bono, including writing briefs on school finance filed on behalf of the Brenham school district.
Pomeroy is also a supporter of historic and wildlife preservation, was instrumental in founding the Washington County Council and played a major role in implementation of the 911 emergency telephone system, James added.
“He’s the kind of many who if he sees a need, he’s willing to take a leadership role in fulfilling that need,” said James.
But Pomeroy’s “greatest contribution” was in spearheading formation of the Brenham Childrens Chorus, “a large and talented group of youngsters,” he said.
Pomeroy’s nominator said, “The benefits received by these children are benefits for a lifetime.”
Pomeroy said his work with the childrens chorus has been fulfilling.
“I now have over 100 grandkids,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Pomeroy also said the county is filled with people wanting to give back to the community.
“This is fulfillment of life, being able to do the small things I’ve been able to do, but only with your help,” he said.
“I’m blessed to live in a community ... that has the same feeling from your heart or your mind that you want to contribute more than you’ve ever received, which is impossible.
“We have a wonderful heritage.”
Guest speaker was Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who also praised Washington County’s heritage as the “birthplace of Texas.”
The state’s founders, Abbott said, “risked their lives to birth a new nation.”
“A commentator at the time said that they not only gave birth to a nation, they also gave birth to a mystique,” he said.
Texas alone has the eighth largest economy in the world and is “a magnet for business because government in Texas is limited and free enterprise is unlimited,” Abbott said.
Washington County, he said, is “blessed with visionary leaders and a dynamic economy.”
Abbott said he views government’s role as being “good stewards for the state of Texas.”
“And when you think about it, it started here in Washington County,” he added.
Jean Shoup and Paul Pomeroy received lifetime achievement awards at the annual banquet of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Foundation.
Shoup, according to her nominator for the award, has “quiet strength” and “is dedicated to improving the lives of others, especially children ... (and is) a woman of deep commitment to higher causes of love, concern, empathy and a willingness to go the second mile.”
Lete Phillips, the 2003 woman of the year who introduced Shoup, called her “a wife, mother, a teacher, a businesswoman, a volunteer and a community leader.”
She has served as a Brenham school trustee, on the district’s Education Foundation, on the city of Brenham’s Hotel Tax Board and on the Trinity Foundation board, said Phillips.
Shoup is also a past president of the Independence Historical Society and the Lifetime Learning Association, but her greatest role has been “fighting for the less privileged and the disabled,” said Phillips.
With son Nick born with Down Syndrome, Shoup has served in the Association of Retarded Citizens, lobbying for their rights, Phillips said.
Her advocacy has grown to include others, including serving as homeless liaison for the Brenham school district and as a tutor for pregnant teenagers, Phillips added.
She and her husband Mike own and operate Antique Rose Emporium in Independence.
Shoup said, “I do greatly appreciate this honor. Thanks for all those kids out there. That’s what makes the world go ‘round.”
Pomeroy, a retired attorney, has been a tireless contributor to a host of programs in Washington County, said Steve James, the 2002 man of the yea who introduced Pomeroy.
James said Pomeroy has performed legal work pro bono, including writing briefs on school finance filed on behalf of the Brenham school district.
Pomeroy is also a supporter of historic and wildlife preservation, was instrumental in founding the Washington County Council and played a major role in implementation of the 911 emergency telephone system, James added.
“He’s the kind of many who if he sees a need, he’s willing to take a leadership role in fulfilling that need,” said James.
But Pomeroy’s “greatest contribution” was in spearheading formation of the Brenham Childrens Chorus, “a large and talented group of youngsters,” he said.
Pomeroy’s nominator said, “The benefits received by these children are benefits for a lifetime.”
Pomeroy said his work with the childrens chorus has been fulfilling.
“I now have over 100 grandkids,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Pomeroy also said the county is filled with people wanting to give back to the community.
“This is fulfillment of life, being able to do the small things I’ve been able to do, but only with your help,” he said.
“I’m blessed to live in a community ... that has the same feeling from your heart or your mind that you want to contribute more than you’ve ever received, which is impossible.
“We have a wonderful heritage.”
Guest speaker was Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who also praised Washington County’s heritage as the “birthplace of Texas.”
The state’s founders, Abbott said, “risked their lives to birth a new nation.”
“A commentator at the time said that they not only gave birth to a nation, they also gave birth to a mystique,” he said.
Texas alone has the eighth largest economy in the world and is “a magnet for business because government in Texas is limited and free enterprise is unlimited,” Abbott said.
Washington County, he said, is “blessed with visionary leaders and a dynamic economy.”
Abbott said he views government’s role as being “good stewards for the state of Texas.”
“And when you think about it, it started here in Washington County,” he added.
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