Congressman Pat Fallon (4th District) presented several Celina community members with the Congressional Patriot Award at a ceremony on April 22nd at The SIlos in Celina in recognition of their dedication in making Celina a better place for all. Congratulations to the recipients!
Punk Carter is currently a director at large for the National Cutting Horse Association, where he previously served as an executive board member and president. Punk was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Members Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was also voted as Celina's Citizen of the Year in 2010 and given the Key to the City in 2022.
Andy Hopkins joined the United States Army as an infantryman. After his Army service, Andy built and managed several successful businesses, including one of the top-performing UPS franchises in North Texas. He was first elected to the Celina City Council in 2015, where his leadership as Mayor Pro Tempore and councilmember has played a critical role in the city's economic growth and development.
Corbett Howard was first elected to the Celina City Council in 1999. In 2002, he was elected to serve as the Mayor of Celina and was reelected twice. Corbett currently serves as the Market President of Lamar National Bank and is a board member of the Military Warriors Support Foundation. (Corbett was presented with the award in 2024 but was honored alongside other Celina recipients in April 2025.)
During the Second World War, Walter Hunter proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Walter served in combat as a Field Communications Specialist, for which he was awarded a Unit Citation for his meritorious actions. Walter earned his doctorate degree from the University of Colorado and guided the doctoral research of 65 graduate students at the University of Missouri.
Mark Medtker was named Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the Celina Fire Department in 2008. He served in a variety of roles, including firefighter, arson investigator, and fire prevention captain. Mark attained the positions of Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and Director of Public Safety before retiring in November 2023.
For nearly four decades, Pastor Isiah Moore has worked as a firefighter in North Texas and as a volunteer chaplain for the Celina Police Department. For his outstanding contributions, Pastor Moore has received the 2021 Life Connected Award from the City of Celina and was recognized by his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, for 50 years of service.
Ralph O’Dell is a veteran of the Second World War and served with the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. Ralph has received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Southern Philippine Islands Campaign with one Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Medal and Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and many more commendations. O’Dell was recognized as Celina's Citizen of the Year several times and received the Key to the City from Celina's mayor. Moreover, the Ralph O'Dell Senior Center in Celina has been established in recognition of Ralph's decades of service as a senior center coordinator.
Carmen Roberts has served as the Mayor Pro Tempore of Celina and as a member of the Celina City Council and Celina Economic Development Corporation Board. Carmen has received the City of Celina's Distinguished Public Service Award, the Governor's Recognition Award, and the State of Texas' Certificate of Appreciation.
Johnny Rothfus served as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber and was briefly stationed overseas for six months. He received the Purple Heart, an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver battle star, and the Good Conduct Medal with one overseas bar. Johnny completed his service in 1947 and later fulfilled an advertisement recruiting firefighters. For two decades, he drove a fire engine and retired in November 1974.
For over 25 years, Sean Terry has distinguished himself through public service as a volunteer firefighter, councilmember, and Mayor of the City of Celina. Sean has also served as President of the North Texas Mayors Association and board member of the Celina Rodeo Foundation Board. In addition, he has been the Vice President of Entitlements for Centurion American Development Group since 2013.