One of the larger events in Santa Clarita every year is the Newsmaker Awards. Inside the Hyatt on February 2^nd  you’ll find yourself rubbing

elbows with the “who’s who” of the town, and seeing the most recognized faces and organizations.

But it’s not all about the glamour! The Signal sponsored event is more a fundraiser than an awards ceremony; profits from ticket sales and the scheduled auction go to the Randy Wicks Memorial First Amendment Scholarships. The funds then provide monetary assistance to students who plan on studying first amendment issues.

Five nominees are up for awards in nine categories including: Most Cooperative with the Local Press, Sports Team, Organization of the Year and Most Controversial. Other categories are: Sports Individual for Male and Female, Community Service and Behind the Scenes, and who could forget the most prestigious; Newsmaker of the Year.                                                                    

Tickets run $80 and include dinner, but time is running out to reserve them. Monday, January 29^th is the last day they will be for sale.

Here are the nominees:

Newsmaker of the Year

Harry Welch, Cameron Smyth, Gene Dorio, Laurene Weste and Ken Pulskamp.

Most Controversial

Rory Livingston, Buck McKeon, Roger Seaver, Rick Patterson and Gilberto Perez.

Community Service

Carl Goldman, Wayne Crawford, Gene Dorio, Bob Kellar, David and Michael Ewart

Behind the Scenes

Penny Upton, Steve Arklin, Evan Thomason, Scott Wilk and Susan Shapiro.

Organization of the Year

SafeRides, Domestic Violence Center, L.A. County Fire Department, City Hall’s Cemex Leaders, Blue Star Mothers.

Most Cooperative With the Press

Teresa Todd, Wendy Hahn, Stephanie English, Michelle Sathe and Scott Wilk.

Sports Team

Saugus girls Cross Country, Hart Girls Basketball, Canyon Football, Canyon girls Basketball, Valencia boys Volleyball.

Sports Individual (male)

J.J. DiLuigi, Harry Welch, Jamie Shields, Matt Moore, Nate Longshore.

Sports Individual (female)

Shannon Murakami, Taylor Lilly, Jordan Taylor, Annie Kellogg, Jeanette McConnell.