Annual Awards Banquet!
An evening of fun and a celebration of another year of success for Five Star Industries was held at Haffner Hall in Du Quoin on July 31, 2026.
Prior to dinner being served, guests were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Ian Pierce, who asked the gathering to observe a moment of silence in memory of Larry Sanders, Becky Welge, Billyjoe O’Brien, Emilee Rodenbush, and Rachel DeWitt. Paster Gary Pate of Sunfield Baptist Church then gave the invocation and asked for God’s blessing over the meal.
Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Kitten’s Catering consisting of ham, chicken & dumplings, green beans, corn, and salad. Guests were served their meal by volunteers from Sunfield Baptist Church.
Following dinner, Robert Spencer, Mayor of Pinckneyville, Chairman of the Perry County Mental Health Board, and past President of the Five Star Industries Board of Directors, and Susan Engelhardt, Secretary of the Perry County Mental Health Board and past Executive Director of Five Star Industries were recognized for their attendance. Also recognized were Adam Emling, Cheryl Kennedy, and Chad Schrader, current members of the Five Star Industries Board of Directors who were in attendance. Current and former staff members of Five Star were also asked to stand and received a round of applause from the gathering for their dedication and service to the agency and to the individuals we serve.
The presentation of client awards was conducted by staff member Angie Williams with assistance from Lisa Bryant and Isla Williams. All clients in attendance were recognized for their years of service to Five Star Industries.
Following the presentation of client awards, select staff members were recognized for their years of service to the agency. Staci Lutes, CDS Manager, was recognized for 1 year of service. Billie McDaniel, Receptionist, was acknowledged for reaching 5 years of service. Cindy Jennings, CDS Assistant, and Erin Bryant, Executive Director were also recognized for 20 years of service to Five Star Industries.
Staff member Diana Brown was also presented with a bouquet of flowers for her work in creating the decorations for the evening.
Following the wrap up of the awards ceremony, guests enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, and karaoke in the ajoining room at Haffner Hall.
For a look at pictures from the evening, please check out our Facebook page, and we hope to see you at next year’s awards banquet!