It was quite the scene and atmosphere last Saturday morning at The Bevy here in Boerne, if I say so myself.
I had called Brad Cornell, Hope for Heroes Texas CEO and the recipient of The Star’s 2021 Citizen of the Year award, earlier in the week to find out what he was up to. It was kind of a secretive call because I was looking for a good time to present him with the award he so richly deserved.
At the time, he didn’t know anything about it, and I’m sure had no idea he had even been nominated.
I was in search of a stage and an audience, for Brad’s sake, knowing he often honors area first responders through a recognition ceremony of some kind at The Bevy, which, by the way, is a really cool place.
When I found out he had such a ceremony planned for this past Saturday, the wheels started turning.
If you don’t know Brad, he is a good dude and well worthy of our citizen of the year recognition. He was one of several high-quality people nominated. In fact, we could have not gone wrong selecting any of those who were nominated.
But knowing Brad like I do, I knew he would try to deflect any recognition off himself. It’s just the kind of guy he is.
But this time, he deserved to be in the spotlight – and I was bound and determined to make sure it shone on him for at least a few minutes.
So on Saturday, I packed his plaque in a concealed work-like Texas Press Association over-the-shoulder bag, grabbed my camera for good measure but also as a prop and headed for The Bevy.
My ace reporter, Zach, was meeting me there. He was the actual photographer on this day.
I really didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. I knew these recognition ceremonies were well-attended, but I had no idea more than 100 individuals would be there to thank the trio of first responders Cornell was honoring who put their lives on the line every time they go on duty.
Yes, they are heroes. But on this day, Brad was a hero, too.
About 20 or 25 minutes before the honored first responders were scheduled to arrive, Brad beautifully set the stage for me. Standing in the lobby of The Bevy, he got everyone’s attention before going through what was going to take place in a few minutes.
I took that opportunity to kind of sneak up behind him, and when he was finished and everyone was still at attention, I made my move.
First, I introduced myself.
Ahem …
Then, as I always enjoy doing, I addressed the audience.
“The Hope for Heroes Texas website says the following: ‘At Hope for Heroes Texas, first responders are our passion. We are committed to those in our communities who selflessly dedicate their lives to protecting ours. They serve day and night in the most challenging circumstances – facing danger, injury, sickness and even death – to ensure our safety and health. And now, it’s our turn to give back to those who selflessly give their all.”
I continued.
“Well, we’re here this morning to give a little something back to someone who has given his all to recognize others who are so deserving.
“When I first came to Boerne, I noticed no award was given to anyone by anyone for a citizen of the year. There were lots of other cool awards, but none specifically with that title. There are so many deserving people who do so many worthy things in our community.
“So, The Star decided to change that. We solicited nominations from the public to start annually recognizing someone for his or her efforts to help others through the course of the year. We received several wonderful nominations worthy of consideration for this past year, but one stood out among them.
“He is here this morning.” When I said that last line, I put my hand on Brad’s shoulder.
“So this morning, on behalf of all of us at The Boerne Star, I’d like to present our 2021 Citizen of the Year award to Brad Cornell of Hope for Heroes Texas.”
The Bevy lobby erupted in applause and cheers for this man as I shook his hand and presented him the plaque with his name and honor inscribed on it.
It was a great moment … for Brad and for me.
And it’s one of the reasons why I continue to enjoy being in this profession.
Brad got a little choked up, and he didn’t say much after he received the plaque.
But he didn’t need to as everyone there knew he was touched in the moment and humbled by the recognition.
After all, he is now The Boerne Star’s 2021 Citizen of the Year … an honor we think is very well deserved.
Thanks, Brad, for all you do for our community and its first responders.
I’d also like to thank and applaud our two other finalists – Aid the Silent founder and CEO Emma Faye Rudkin and Day 1 Bags founder and CEO Hunter Beacon. Kudus, and then some, to both of you for what you constantly do to help others.
And while I’m at it, cheers to our other citizen of the year nominees, all of whom in their own right deserve the recognition: Kendall County Commissioner Richard Elkins, Bandera Electric Cooperative’s Justin McKenzie, Hill Country Family Services CEO Staci Almager, Mark Sierra of Compadres Hill Country Cocina, Hill Country Daily Bread CEO Agnes Hubbard and Rainbow Senior Center board of directors President Karen Love.
A well-deserved standing ovation to all of you.
As we move through 2022, please keep your eyes and ears open for folks who continue to make a difference in our community. Who knows? A year from now I could be writing a column about them as The Star’s 2022 Citizen of the Year.
As always, thanks for reading.
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