Darragh Doiron
The Port Arthur News
November 06, 2007 06:30 pm
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Dick Dowling Elementary choir students raised crystal clear voices to heroes Friday at the Port Arthur News Citizen of the Year awards banquet and ceremony at the Holiday Inn Park Central.
When they did another ditty about their principal, Dwight Wagner, they didn’t realize he would receive the top honor of the day. Their song about loving their leader also included lines about his “hairy arms” and references to his being “over 50.” Their lyrics made guests laugh, and Wagner sway to the music as students had their say.
It was actually grown-ups who made little whoops when Wagner’s name was called as the Citizen of the Year.
“I’m happy to be here in this community. This town has been so good to me,” he said between standing ovations.
No one had better mess with Port Arthur while talking to Wagner, a singer who penned “City by the Sea,” Port Arthur’s theme song. He says his area is full of positives.
“When I drive through Port Arthur, I see beautiful people … beautiful faces … If you can’t say something good and help us, don’t say anything,” he said.
Johnny Brown, Port Arthur ISD Superintendent, was among well-wishers.
“I’m just so very proud of Dwight. He deserves any recognition which might come his way,” he said.
Brown said Wagner doesn’t just talk about helping others, he acts on it.
Debra Ambroise and Marilyn Baptiste nominated Wagner for Citizen of the Year for his community work and love of children.
Wagner said he attended with his family, which included his mother, Erma, and niece, Andonnia. He also referred to his PAISD family, which surrounded him with hugs.
“That was good,” Dowling choir member Alex Rouly said as the program wrapped up.
McKenzie Jones, another student, said he is committed to being a longtime friend of his principal.
“Even when I move on to high school, I’ll still be seeing you,” he told Wagner as students posed with copies of a special section on the program.
The section, honoring all nominees, will appear in Sunday’s Port Arthur News.
Shelba Spears earned a special reader’s choice recognition. Several residents nominated Shelba and her husband, John, for their Griffing Park Neighborhood Watch work. They checked on neighbors and took friends to the hospital for years. John Spears died during the nomination process, and Shelba accepted the honor in their name.
“We just did the thing that was the right thing to do and our neighborhood supported us,” she said.
Accepting the honor was a tribute to the many neighbors they helped, she said.
Wagner was included among other finalists: Anita Baker, Tom Butler, Judge Tom Gillam III, Sidney Keal, Mary Martinez, James Moore, Joann Richards, John and Shelba Spears, James “Jim” Thomas and Kirk Vital.
Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.
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