The Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission announces the 2011 Humanitarian Award recipient.

On the evening of September 27, 2011, the Human Relations Commission honored this year’s nominees for the Humanitarian Award with a reception and program at the Orpheum Theater Center. The ten humanitarians nominated for the 2011 award were Allison Alvine, Pilar Baron, Julie Becker, Cathy Brechtelsbauer, Carl Bruxvoort, Manny Gutierrez, Christy Nicolaisen, Daniel Obaka, Julia Tibbetts, and Debra Worth.

Following the reception, the guests attended the program guided by master of ceremony Jack Mortenson where they heard from past recipients Mary Montoya, Nathan and Suzanne Anderson, Teresa Kashale, and Nancy Larsen on what receiving the award has meant to them. They were also entertained by Adaptive Movement from the Dance Gallery and the spoken word performance of The Lost Artists.

The Human Relations Commission awarded the 2011 Humanitarian Award to Julia Tibbetts. Julia was selected from three finalists who were announced at the program. The other two finalists were Allison Alvine and Daniel Obaka. Julia was selected by the Commission based on how she demonstrates a spirit of humanitarianism, how it relates to diversity, the impact her actions have had on the
community, and how much time is spent on these efforts outside the focus of her employment.

More information on each of the nominees can be found on the Human Relations website: www.siouxfalls.org/relations.