by Joy Gipson
TRINIDAD — On February 13, Laura DeBella was named by the Trinidad Las Animas Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2015 Chenoweth Award for her outstanding service to the Trinidad community. She was presented with a plaque by 2014 recipients Ed, Karen, and Kathleen Griego at the annual Chenoweth Award Banquet held in the Holiday Inn & Suites in Trinidad. Laura is a local State Farm Insurance agent who has been recognized by her company with their Legion of Honor and Select Agent awards.
DeBella was born in Trinidad and has immersed herself fully into the community. She is currently the Trinidad Community Foundation vice president and a TSJC Educational Foundation member. She has been a board member and officer in the TSJC Alumni Association, Trinidad Autism Awareness Board, Bar NI Community Grant Review member, Trinidad Italian Club member, and an active supporter of her church, the A.R. Mitchell Museum, Trinidad Area Arts Council, and Southern Colorado Repertoire Theatre, among many other community endeavors. Laura is also the primary care giver for her mother.
This annual award is named for Judge John Edgar Chenoweth (1897-1986) who was a man gifted with remarkable talents and drive for service to his community. He was born in Trinidad and started practicing law here in 1926. Chenoweth was assistant District Attorney from 1929 to 1933 and a Las Animas county judge from 1933 to 1941. He was elected as a Republican to Congress eleven times between 1941 and 1965 after which he resumed practicing law in Trinidad.
Other outstanding citizens nominated for this award were Franklin D. Azar, Jay Cimino, William Cordova, Andrea Doeden, Rafaelita Gonzales, Mary Ellen Hadad, Lloyd Holliman, Lee and Terry Kirkwood, Frank Leone Jr., Marilyn Leuszler, Marie “Susie” Lopez, Cy Michaels, Kim Riddle, Richard Sawaya, and Lou Simpleman.
