Every year the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce names a collection of individuals, couples, organizations and businesses who have had a positive impact on the greater Newberg community over the past year.
This year will be no different as the award winners will be recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Community Awards Gala, set for Feb. 29 at the Allison Inn & Spa.
Citations carefully prepared by the Chamber staff provide a little background on the award winners and why they were chosen.
Junior Human of the Year: Vada Coats
Coats is a senior at Newberg High School, where she has accumulated a 4.0 grade-point average while taking advance placement classes and additional online credits. She is also heavily involved as a mentor and leader to younger students Chehalem Valley Dance Academy, where she teaches dance six-plus hours a week, performs 11 times at competitions during the season and choreographs competition dances.
“Vada is a leader and loving role model to her younger sisters and most importantly, she prioritizes her own self-care and mental health,” the citation said.