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
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Drew Springer, Marsha Brown, Dr. Ryan Cate