the Award
We have many people in our region who have
repeatedly stepped in to do "whatever was necessary"
to make our region run smoothly and efficiently.
That is why we have the best region!
the Candidates
Below is a list of this
year's candidates, along with
comments from the person(s) who nominated them for
this award.
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Candidate
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Nominator's Comments
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Brian Mercer, Sarah Mercer, & Diane Elliott |
 I
suppose traditionally this award is for one person. However, in this
instance, I'm nominating a team of three: Brian and Sarah Mercer and Diane
"Nana" Elliott. This group of individuals are an amazing asset to the
NW Region. They spend countless hours setting up and tearing down
shows (Ferndale, Elma, Astoria, etc). All with a smile! This
year they were pivotal to the success of the Cascadia Cat Club's
inaugural show. They helped not only with setup and teardown, but
also helped behind the scenes to make sure the
show ran smooth as butter -- all while running cats to rings. When they are in the show hall, they are
so welcoming to visitors, stopping to explain what is going on in a
ring, or to let visitors meet their gentle giants. They go out of
their way to welcome new exhibitors, explaining the ropes or
helping them get to a ring on time. The NW Region is blessed to have
such a great example of teamwork to help with our shows!
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Jan Dell
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 Jan is always supportive and welcoming to all exhibitors. She has
absolutely stunning Maine Coons, and is great at sharing grooming
tips and show help. And if that isn’t enough, she is also our regional
scorer. She is awesome at getting those show reports out as soon as she receives the
marked catalog from the club. Jan has also mentored new exhibitors,
and has been most helpful and patient with them.
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John Harris |
 John has been showing his beautiful cats in the Northwest Region
for quite some time now. He has been a huge supporter of the clubs
of the Northwest. You will see him listed in every catalog for every
show in the Northwest for the past many years. He always comes to
the show with a smile, and always helps out when needed. He is
pleasant, friendly, and generous. John is a great example of a
Northwest Member.
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Kimberly Reinbrecht
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 Kim finds time to come early to help with setup, stay behind to help
with teardown, clerk, mentor, and cheer other members on. She is competent in all the roles she handles, from show manager and
banquet to chair master clerk and ring clerk. But, she is so humble
that you might not notice how truly involved she is in making the
shows happen!
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Lucy Robinson |
 I was surprised when I heard Lucy had never been voted Member of the
Year! Seems like she has always been there, helping people, clubs,
shows, and especially the region. She just works so hard for the
region! She’s done the pictures (and the website) for the awards for what
seems like forever. Anytime someone
has a question, the answer always seems to be "ask Lucy." And I love
seeing her curly cats!
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Sarah Mercer |
 Sarah is a tireless advocate for the cat fancy community, and
her dedication, generosity, and leadership have made a lasting
impact on our region. She gives her time, energy, and expertise to
ensure the success of events, often working quietly behind the
scenes to assist with show setup, support club efforts, or lend a
hand wherever it’s needed. In addition to her hands-on support,
Sarah actively promotes the TICA mission by assisting new
exhibitors, helping them navigate the world of cat shows with
confidence and excitement. Her approachable nature and wealth of
knowledge make her a go-to resource, and her enthusiasm helps foster
a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Sarah’s commitment to
ethical breeding and responsible ownership is equally commendable.
She upholds the highest standards and encourages others to do the
same, modeling excellence without ego. Whether she’s volunteering,
mentoring, or simply cheering from the sidelines, Sarah leaves a
positive impact on everyone she meets. Her character, humility, and
consistent good will make her a shining example of the best our
community has to offer.
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Shelly Mitchell |
 Shelly has been contributing to the success of the Northwest
Region for many years. Whether it's as a Clerk, a Master Clerk, or a
mentor, she's been really supportive of the shows. She created a
much-needed club, It's Reigning Cats, on Washington's southern
border, and has repeatedly put on well-run and well-attended cat
shows. She's also an excellent show manager and teacher.
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