Lutes selected as Citizen of the Year

SPRAGUE – Loi Lutes was selected from nearly a dozen nominees as the Sprague Citizen of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce Jan. 21 meeting.

Chamber vice president Tim Wilken said it was the most nominations the chamber had ever seen.

Wilken, who sat on the committee to select the Citizen of the Year with other past Citizens of the Year, said Lutes was someone who “goes above and beyond” in her career, while finding time to help with the local 4-H, her church and other groups. Wilken said Lutes volunteers despite dealing with “major medical issues” of a family member.

Lutes is employed at Sprague High School, where she works as a science teacher, student body advisor, and co-athletic director.

Lute spoke of her service being just a part of the greater good.

“My mom always says that a diamond is only beautiful if all the facets are polished. And so, I’m honored to be a part of the diversity of people that were nominated, in the diverse ways that they contribute to our community,” Lutes said. “If I can’t do what they do; they can’t do what I do; it’s a whole bunch of different talents. So it’s about everybody’s facet being polished. And so then, our diamond of our community gets to shine.”

Lutes said the award didn’t just recognize her work in the community, but everybody’s.

“If you haven’t ever listened to the song, “Dream Small,” I really recommend that you do. It’s not about the big, giant things that magically get done, but all these little things that each of us pitch in and do,” Lutes said. “That’s what makes our community great, and what’s going to keep making our community great.”

The song, written by Josh Wilson, urges the listener to do what each individual is uniquely qualified or situated to do; and not miss out on the opportunity to perform small acts on the way to pursuing bigger dreams, as “simple moments change the world.”

Lutes said she posted on Facebook about she and her son picking up “a whole bunch of dog doodoo,” and what a terrible chore it is.

“We can get so caught up in thinking there’s so much to do, and it really, literally, stinks,” Lutes said. “But if we pitch in and do it all together, it goes a lot faster and you’ve just got to do it one pile at a time.”

Comparing the situation to life in general, Lutes advised, “Just like my yard, life is going to have some continuous stink piles waiting to cross your path. Attacking any project is always better having someone by your side.”

Lutes thanked those who carry around a pooper-scooper to make the town look and smell better.

“And the rest of you, I guess you’re just fertilizer,” Lutes said to the crowd, who responded with laugher.

Thanking the group, Lutes said, “I just think this community has so much to offer, and I’m honored to be back and living here as a resident of Sprague.”

Lutes’s husband Tony and her son Steven, along with Tony Jr. from Alaska, were in attendance for the honor; with Steven filming the event.

Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were: Lexi Behrens (Swift), Bob and Karen Balfe, Kyle Canaday, Gina Habbestad, Lisa Henrickson, Dustin Monen, Bill and Ginny Ressel and Steve Scheffels.