Annual Spirit of Community Awards
Presented by Scottsdale Leadership
Scottsdale Leadership is proud to present these three prestigeous awards each year. They honor members of our community, our alumni and our youth, for their outstanding community mindedness and service.
Join us for the
2023 Scottsdale Leadership
Annual Spirit of Community Awards Luncheon
"Together We Grow"
Friday, December 8th, 2023
at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort
Drinkwater Leadership Award
The Drinkwater Community Leadership Award reminds us that many people who knew Herb Drinkwater often referred to him as “Mr. Scottsdale”. No matter whom he spoke with, he had a broad smile, a warm demeanor, a friendly handshake, and gusto for life as extraordinary as an Arizona sunrise. The Honorable Herb Drinkwater was fearless. With business cards in hand, he was always willing to introduce Scottsdale to people who may be interested or willing to move their business to Scottsdale. He served more than 25 years as Scottsdale’s Mayor and as a City Council member. Herb is remembered as a friend to everyone; as mayor, his approval rating was more than 90%! It is because of Herb’s purposeful living and positive intent for the community he loved, that Scottsdale Leadership honors a community leader with the Drinkwater Leadership Award each year.
Hodges Alumni Achievement Award
The Hodges Alumni Achievement Award honors a Scottsdale Leadership alumni who demonstrate the passion and commitment Frank Hodges had for his community. As an Assistant Fire Chief with Rural Metro and a Class 1 alumnus of Scottsdale Leadership, Frank’s dedication to the people of Scottsdale knew no boundaries. His efforts were tireless. Work was never work to Frank as he simply found great satisfaction as a firefighter and by helping and being involved with the people of his community. Frank welcomed the new as an old friend and embraced diversity and inclusion. Frank’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched. Scottsdale Leadership honors his life, spirit, and dedication through this annual Alumni Achievement Award.
Jenkins Youth Leadership Award
The Jenkins Youth Leadership Award honors William C. (Bill) Jenkins. As a 29-year Scottsdale High School teacher, Bill worked tirelessly for his students in the Social Sciences department and as their student government advisor. As Scottsdale’s Mayor from 1974 - 1980, Bill took Scottsdale through rapid growth and through a recession. His accomplishments were many and included building the first Scottsdale Senior Center, as well as completing the City Hall, Vista del Camino, and Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt projects. Bill was a classic example of an unassuming, genuine, community-minded man. Awarding of the Jenkins Youth Leadership Award includes a $2,000 scholarship.
We are also proud to honor an incoming class participant each year with a tuition scholarship.
Dr. Art DeCabooter Scholarship Award
The Dr. Art DeCabooter Scholarship Award provides a full-tuition scholarship to a worthy incoming Scottsdale Leadership class participant and is reflective of how many people knew Art DeCabooter as a true servant leader. He continuously served Scottsdale in dozens of civic leadership positions since arriving in Scottsdale in 1978 as President of Scottsdale Community college, serving in that position for 30 years. Art was the catalyst from the beginning of the “Save the McDowells” movement resulting in the establishing of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. His chairing of the Preserve Commission resulted in the preservation of over 20,000 acres of pristine Scottsdale desert land. Dr. DeCabooter was the key voice in helping Scottsdale’s business and development communities recognize the value and the role of the city’s natural landscape in its economic viability and attractiveness as a business location. His local and state awards are numerous and most cite his dedication to the environment, education, and community collaboration
Scottsdale Leadership
Annual Spirit of Community Awards
Past Winners
2022-Christine Kovach
2021 - Raoul Zubia, Class XXII
2020 - Lisa Randall, Class XXVIII
2019 - Jim Ford, Class VIII
2018 - Suzanne Walden Wells, Class XVI
2017 - Marion Kelly, Class XVII
2016 - Dennis Robbins, Class VII
2015 - Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, Class XVI
2014 - Todd Hornback, Class XIII
2013 - Doreen Reinke, Class XVII
2012 - Randy Nussbaum, Class IV
2011 - Mark Eberle, Class VI
2010 - Abbie Fink, Class XVII
- Hope Ozer, Class III
2009 - Linda Milhaven, Class VIII
2008 - Kurt M. Brueckner, Class II
2007 - Tina Brown, Class XV
- Melinda Gulick, Class XIV
2006 - Ted Tyler, Class XVI
2005 - Craig Miller, Class VII
2004 - Katherine Cecala, Class XII
2003 - Sheri Statt Bercaw, Class II
2002 - Joan Fudala, Class IX
2001 - Karl Keierleber, Class VI
2000 - Cindy Slick, Class IV
1999 - Robert Howard, Jr., Class I
1998 - Carla, Class VII
1997 - Carolyn Allen, Class I
1996 - Diana M. Smith, Class III
1995 - Virginia Korte, Class III
1994 - Eileen Rogers, Class II
1993 - Douglas Sydnor, Class II
1992 - Elisa Brancati, Class IV
- Wendy Springborn, Class V
1991 - Tom Silverman, Class I
2022-Jack Miller
2021 - Don Carson
2020 -Janie Ellis
2019 - Bill Walton
2018 - Diane Cusack
2017 - Charlie Smith
2016 - Tom Sadvary
2015 - The Honorable Mary Manross
2014 - Bill Schrader
2013 - Gary Shapiro
2012 - Mary King
2011 - Rachel Sacco
2010 - Betty Drake
2009 - Marc Miller
2008 - William “Bill” Soderquist
2007 - Tim Bray
2006 - William “Bill” Mack
2005 - Sam Campana
2004 - Don Ruff
2003 - Paul R. Messinger
2002 - William “Bill” Jenkins
2001 - Marion Saba
2000 - Frances Young
1999 - Art DeCabooter, Ph. D.
1998 - Jim Bruner
2022-Giselle Rojas Guzman
2021- Zack Okun
2020 - Natalie Foster
2019 - Christopher Griffin
2018 - Adway Gopakumar
2017 - Rachel Zoneraich
2016 - Jordyn Blew
2015 - Grace Taskinsoy
2014 - Sydney A. Allen
2013 - Karlene D. McCauley
2012 - Sage Knapp
2011 - Melissa Conrad
2010 - Noelle Rabiah
2009 - Benjamin Johnson
2008 - Theresa Kyte
2007 - Kaylie Marsh
2006 - Janelle Brown
2005 - JiaQi Bao & Maxwell Kanter
2004 - Tyler Parafinik
2003 - Brandon Curtis