By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A volunteer, minister and counselor, Yukon’s mayor was honored last Friday night for her contributions to the community.
Shelli Selby was named the 2023 H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year during the Yukon Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards gala April 21 at the Palace Event Center, 2310 N Banner Road in El Reno.
Theme was “I Love Rock ‘n Roll”, with many attendees dressing as their favorite musical artists.
“This means so much to me,” said Selby, her eyes welling with tears. “I love our community. There is not a place in the world that I would rather live – not even Hawaii.
“I love our community and I love these people with the chamber who I get to work with.”
Selby, a Yukon Chamber board member and Yukon’s Ward 2 city council member, is in her third year as mayor.
“I am so honored,” Selby said after the gala. “There are so many individuals who do so much for our community. So, to be picked from among my peers is thrilling.
“I love our community and have been blessed with all the opportunities I have been a part of.”
Yukon Chamber President Jarrid Wright announced his friend as the 2023 Citizen of the Year award recipient. It was the last of seven annual awards presented at the gala (see related story about other winners).
The H.B. Frank award is presented annually to someone who represents the best Yukon has to offer, has an extensive history of service in the community and whose tireless dedication has helped make Yukon a better place to live, raise a family and conduct business.
SHE’S A FIGHTER
This year’s recipient “totally loves Yukon and isn’t afraid to fight for what’s right,” Wright told the audience.
“As mayor of Yukon, she works hard to provide a place where families grow together, feel safe and care about each other,” he said. “She is definitely involved in Yukon – not only as the mayor, but as the founder of Jacob’s Cupboard, a minister, a counselor, a volunteer, and a cheerleader.”
Selby serves on many boards, committees and advisory councils. She speaks out for what she does – and doesn’t – believe in.
Selby has a listening ear and will help people find solutions if they have an issue with her or the City of Yukon.
“She thinks for herself and doesn’t allow outside pressure to affect her decisions, which is one of my favorite qualities about her,” Wright pointed out.
“She wants things to be right and done right. She fights for Yukon – and fights hard. She wants to see Yukon grow, flourish and continue to be ‘Yukon’s best’.”
The 2023 Yukon Chamber Gala festivities included live and silent auctions, lip sync and best dressed contests, catered dinner and dessert, wine pull, photo booth, and DJ entertainment.
Canadian County Commissioner Tom Manske conducted the live auction.
Featured auction items were a suite at the Brooks & Dunn Reboot 2023 Tour concert, OKC Thunder basketball courtside tickets with a downtown hotel stay, fishing charter trip at Lake Eufaula, archery quiver and bow set, naming rights to the Yukon Chamber board room, Cheek Ranch black label beef box with Yeti cooler, and more.
