The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Banquet and Awards program Monday evening. Among the awards presented during the event, were those for 2015 Citizen of the Year, and 2015 Junior Citizen of the Year. Brett Irlmeier won Citizen of the Year, and Alysha Vance won the Junior award.

Prior to presenting the award to Irlmeier, officials noted that since he moved to Audubon in 1993, Brett has “demonstrated the qualities of a great citizen,” and “his commitment to the town of Audubon and to making it a better place to live, has been instrumental,” in making the community a great place to live and work. Irlmeier is the President and CEO of the Audubon State Bank, where he has worked his way through the ranks since he started there in 1993.

He also serves many organizations, including: Treasurer of the Audubon County Economic Development Corporation; Vice President of the Midwest Partnership Economic Development Board; the Audubon Lions Club; Pheasants Forever; SIAC (The School Improvement Advisory Committee); the Audubon County Community Foundation, and, he volunteers for the Youth Little League Program. Brett and his wife Deb, have a daughter, Kali.

2015 Audubon Junior Citizen of the Year, Alysha Vance, is a junior at the Audubon High School. In selecting her for the honor, officials said Vance is involved in many organizations, including being an active FFA member since eighth grade. She’s also participated in several career development competitions, community service projects, and leadership events.

Alysha has served as a student senate representative, and last spring was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was described as “Embodying the ideals of integrity, respect, character and responsibility” that the citizens of Audubon want in the community. Upon completing high school, Alysha plans to pursue a Veterinary Medicine Degree, to follow her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She’s the daughter of Tony and Amy Vance, and has a sister, Aryn.

Also at the Audubon Chamber Community Banquet, Monday, officials presented the 2015 Community Service Award for the “2015 Channel Seed Ag Bowl,” with Heuss Distributing, Inc. (HDI), and Audubon Sports Boosters serving as event coordinators. The event took place Aug. 27th, 2015, with the Audubon Wheelers taking on the AHSTW Vikings in a locally televised matchup.