By Liz Heidelberg
The 22nd Annual “You’re the Tops!” Luncheon recognizes outstanding women for their charitable contributions in the Brazos Valley.
The event, named after the hit song “You’re the Top” from Anything Goes, nominates women whose contributions to the community truly are “the tops.” This year’s luncheon will honor Lisa Miller Aldrich, Rosa Galindo Cantu, Deloris “Dee Dee” Cooks, Angela Cowan, Connie Flickinger, Jan Folse, Nancy Granovsky, Alice Hickerson, Doris Light, Sandra Meadows Petty, Virginia Pierson, Cortney Tenhet and Judy L. Warren.
Some of the Brazos Valley charities served by this year's nominees include the American Cancer Society, B/CS Habitat for Humanity, Coach Blair Charities, the Hispanic Forum of Bryan/College Station, and the B/CS Prenatal Clinic.
The luncheon will be held Saturday, April 23, from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the College Station Hilton Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $40 and must be reserved prior to April 18.
Proceeds will benefit the Bryan/College Station Prenatal Clinic, which provides accessible and affordable prenatal healthcare, health education, social work, and postpartum care to low-income women in the Brazos Valley. The clinic specifically aims to reduce illness and death that occur during the prenatal and perinatal periods by decreasing the number of low birth-weight infants.
The Prenatal Clinic offers physical examinations and prenatal vitamins to low-income women, and provides expecting parents with education on prenatal nutrition, prenatal and postpartum exercise, breast-feeding, parenting skills, and newborn care.
Prenatal care is not only vital to a woman’s health, but also to the fetus’ health as well. If left untreated, maternal difficulties such as gestational diabetes, insufficient weight gain, and high blood pressure can be harmful to a fetus.
Since opening in 1985, the Prenatal Clinic has brought awareness of the importance of prenatal healthcare and treated more than 19,000 women in the Brazos Valley. Today, fetal deaths in Brazos County have declined by 26 percent because of the healthcare provided by clinic staff and volunteers.
Anyone unable to attend the luncheon that would still like to support The Prenatal Clinic can make a donation at http://www.bcsprenatal.org/donations.html.
For reservations and ticket information, call Lynn Yeager at (979) 595-1783.
2016 You’re the Tops Honorees
Alice Hickerson With deep ties to her church community that go back to her childhood, Alice Hickerson has served as Circle Leader twice, Moderator of Presbyterian Women three times and Stewardship Campaign chair. She has co-chaired the American Cancer Society's Cattle Baron's Ball in Odessa and Bryan with her husband three times. She is involved in Brazos Extension Horse Committee, State 4-H Horse Show, and Youth World Cup Equestrian Horse Show.
Jan Folse A retired math teacher, Jan Folse is and dedicated community volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Circle of Women Steering Committee, Friends of the Library, Brazos Valley Symphony, Friends Association of the Symphony, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley and Junction 505 Foundation Board.
Lisa Miller Aldrich A retired realtor and passionate community activist, Lisa Aldrich is a member of the CS Noon Lions Club and volunteers with Muscular Dystrophy Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Coach Blair Charities, Fun for All Playground, Woman's Club, and First Baptist Church among others.
Rosa Galindo Cantu An award-winning hair stylist and master colorist, Rosa Cantu dedicates much of her energy to the Hispanic Forum of B/CS, which provides scholarships for deserving young people. She also has volunteered with BV Rehabilitation Center, OPAS, Cattle Baron's Ball, Brazos Valley Symphony, and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Deloris "Dee Dee" Cooks With a 38-year banking career, and currently with Prosperity Bank, Dee Dee Cooks is a member and licensed gospel minister at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Bryan. She serves in numerous volunteer roles including Sunday school teacher and choir director. She also serves as treasurer of the Bryan High School Black Alumni Club and music director for the Brazos Valley Pastors and Ministers Fellowship City Wide Choir.
Angela Cowan As market president for BBVA Compass, Angela Cowan leads the bank's commercial banking activities for the B/CS area, Navasota, Brenham, Bellville, Montgomery, Huntsville, and Livingston. A Junior League member and volunteer with Junior Achievement, Cowan also was on the board of the United Way of the Brazos Valley, and currently serves on the boards of the Prenatal Clinic and Brazos Valley CDC, in partnership with the Brazos Valley Affordable Housing.
Connie Flickinger As assistant Area Engineering for Texas Department of Transportation, Flickinger is a leader of Executive Women in Texas Government and an active supporter of B/CS Habitat for Humanity, having served for more than 20 years as a construction volunteer, Volunteer Committee Chair, Faith in Action Team leader, church liaison and lunch provider. She is an active church volunteer at Peace Lutheran Church where she sings in choir, plays hand bells and serves as the church's Mission and Outreach chair organizing support for nonprofit agencies.
Nancy Lammi Granovsky A professor and Extension Family Economics Specialist, Nancy Granovsky is recognized nationally and internationally in her profession. She is an active volunteer with Habitat’s Circle of Women Build Steering Committee for Habitat for Humanity, bilingual tax counselor with TaxAide, Board of Directors of Bryan/College Station Sister Cities Association, and past president of Board of Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley.
Doris Light As a school and community volunteer who has shared her time and talents in numerous school-related roles and service on the Bryan ISD Education Foundation board, Doris Light is also a member of the Woman's Club of Bryan and current president of Pink Alliance, the Brazos Valley's advocate for breast health and cancer support.
Sandra Meadows Petty Retired public school educator Sandra Petty is a member of the College Station Morning Rotary Club and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, as a member of the Woman's Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, William Scott Chapter, Salvation Army and the Neal School Mentor Program. She currently devotes much of her time to Saint Andrews Episcopal Church where she works with community outreach programs and the Hospitality Committee.
Virginia Cowan Pierson After retiring as a teaching and school administrator, Virginia Pierson was a lifetime member of Kappa Delta Sorority and provided leadership for the development of the local Texas A&M Kappa Delta chapter. She served faithfully as an advisor to the chapter for many years.
Cortney Tenhet An eager community volunteer who is currently involved with OPAS Encore! Board, Great American Steak Out Committee benefiting Scotty's House, Art of Helping Children Dinner for Voices for Children, Tribute Luncheon benefiting the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, and service on the CSISD District Education Improvement Council, Cortney Tenhet is a former volunteer with American Cancer Society's Cattle Baron's Ball, Coach Blair Charities, and Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley, among others.
Judy Warren A professor and Special Initiatives Coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Judy Warren focuses on lifespan health and wellness, gerontology, eldercare, and child obesity efforts. She is a community volunteer with BCS League of Women Voters, Brazos Valley Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Brazos Valley Alzheimer's Family Support Group, CS Zoning Board Adjustments and Planning and Zoning Commission, Brazos Valley TROUPE, and Habitat for Humanity Circle of Women Committee.
