The Spirit of St. Louis Award, presented annually to an individual who has served the St. Louis community in exceptional ways, is chosen by a committee of former recipients. The award winner is chosen from a list of nominations from the community at large.
The winner is announced and receives the award at the Annual Dinner of the Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce in May. For 2026, the date of this award dinner was Thursday, May 7.
Because some recipients have continued to serve the St. Louis community in the years since they received the award, they may be re-nominated after an interval of ten years.
Nominations for the 2025 award were accepted until Friday, March 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Nominations for the 2026 award will be accepted in late winter/early spring of 2027.
For reference and to avoid nominating a community member currently ineligible to receive the award due to recent receipt of the award, the winners for the past ten years are below. For a full list of past winners, please visit the Chamber of Commerce page on this website.
2025 – Bill Leonard
2024 – Alex Velazco
2023 – Julie Shimunek
2022 – Mari Anne Ryder
2021 – Linda Bader
2020 – No award
2019 – Melissa Allen
2018 – Ron Salladay
2017 – Judy Root
2016 – Phil Maxwell
Spirit of St. Louis Nomination
All nominees must meet the following criteria:
1) Be a resident of the St. Louis Area
2) Be a highly regarded individual, with exemplary personal behavior.
3) Be successful in their work or profession.
4) Have a history of community participation for the betterment of the St. Louis area.
5) Demonstrate leadership or inspirational qualities.
In addition, consideration should be given to longevity. Under extra special circumstances, a group may be chosen.
Nominations for the Spirit of St. Louis Award were due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026. Thank you for your interest!