Parker County Today PCT MAY 2019 | Page 34

our cover: PARKER COUNTY MOVERS AND SHAKERS Jerry Durant Driving Parker County Forward Award Penny Shelton P enny Shelton is a tireless community volunteer who enjoys being a community volunteer as a way to give back to others, especially those in need. “1 Peter 4:10 says, ‘As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as stewards of God’s grace.’ I also want to set an example of service to my boys. It’s easy for kids to focus on themselves, but through serving, your attention turns to others. I don’t see opportunities as challenges, but I will say, you’ve got to find what you’re passionate about. Then doing it is easy!” Penny is presi- dent of Aledo Children’s AdvoCats, but also serves on the boards of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Parker County Health Foundation, Freedom House, Aledo Education Foundation and the Ride for Heroes. She loves being a volunteer and wouldn’t change anything about her service to the community. “God has blessed me tremen- dously. I love being a mom, wife, friend and volunteer! I truly try to enjoy all I commit myself to doing. My motto, ‘Don’t let someone else steal your joy!’” Penny said. She points to her mom as her role model. “She is Taiwanese and has so much spunk at 83 years old! She was the third child of 13, but the first girl, so all the responsibility fell on her. She lost her dad when she was a teenager, so her mom ran the family businesses, and she raised her siblings, including her older two brothers. Growing up, she was always serving others, especially my dad. I remember Mom making all her delicious Taiwanese food for any workers at our house, the mail man, garbage men, etc. She truly loves doing for others and thinks very little about herself,” she said. In her spare time, Penny loves to travel and her favorite loca- tion is Italy. She loves so much about it, she raved, “I love the food, people, climate, history, outdoor cafes and the laid-back culture there. And I would love to be there with my family and close friends!” She’s a fan of 80s movies like Breakfast Marsha Brown, Penny Shelton Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink as well as the Godfather series and Schindler’s List. She’s an avid reader and even heads up a local book club. “My bookcase has hundreds of books, as I can’t let go of any of them. Some of my favorite reads: American Wife by Taya Kyle, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Taylor’s Gift by Todd and Tara Storch,” she said. When asked what the title of her autobiography would be her answer was very apropos, “It’s not about me.” She has the heart and soul of a true community leader. Noel Bryan Veterinarian Excellence Award D Dr. Ryan Cate r. Ryan Cate has wanted to be a vet since the age of 13 because of the time he spent with his mentor, Dr. Gene White. He said of Dr. White’s work ethic and passion for animals, “Watching him work single-handedly from sunup to sundown, seeing different cases every day, but having the same passion for each case day-in and day-out inspired me to become a veterinar- ian.” Along with running several successful vet clinics, Dr. Cate works with several organizations that benefit kids and animals. He is a tireless volunteer for Parker County Pets Alive. “This organization gives a second chance to animals that might not otherwise have had the opportunity to make it out of a shelter situation. Another group that is near and dear to my heart is Parker County Livestock Improvement Association. PCLIA works to help children in the agriculture industry with scholarships and activities focused on our community,” he said. His three role models each taught him something impor- tant that he carries with him. The first one was Dr. Gene White, who was mentioned above. The second was Don Roach, who taught him to succeed 32 Drew Springer, Marsha Brown, Dr. Ryan Cate