Short Pump Ruritan Club honors first-responders, business leader, scholarship winners
The Short Pump Ruritan Club honored three Henrico County first-responders and a Henrico business leader and presented 10 college scholarships during its annual awards dinner June 23 at Kitchen 33 Restaurant on Mountain Road.
Awards were presented by Club President Larry Van Wagner to Henrico Firefighter of the Year Kenneth Walters, Henrico Police Officer of the Year Ayana Baylor and Henrico Deputy Sheriff of the Year Katrina Wade.
All of the recipients were nominated for their awards by their respective department for their exemplary public service.
Joey Mirabile, Sr., owner of Joey’s Hot Dogs in Innsbrook, was recognized as the Short Pump Ruritan Club Businessperson of the Year for his commitment to supporting numerous nonprofit and community organizations.
The club also announced the recipients of its 2026 college scholarships of $1,500 apiece:
• Sophia Demchenko (Godwin High School);
• Khalil Epps (Hermitage High School);
• Jed Fowler (Goochland High School);
• Ashley Glaze (Godwin High School);
• Kristina Melnyk (Godwin High School);
• Kryanna Stratiou (Goochland High School);
• Caleb Swanson (homeschool);
• Lilah Usry (Goochland High School);
• Skye VandeLinde (Godwin High School);
• Sawyer Williams (Goochland High School)
(From left) SPRC Henrico Deputy Sheriff of the Year Katrina Wade and Club President Larry Van Wagner; SPRC Henrico Firefighter of the Year Kenneth Walters and Van Wagner; SPRC Businessperson of the Year Joey Mirabile, Sr. and Van Wagner. (Contributed photos)
More than 50 students applied for the 2026 Short Pump Ruritan College Scholarships, which are open to graduating students living in Western Henrico and Goochland counties.
Founded in 1965, the Short Pump Ruritan Club, Inc. is a nonprofit civic organization dedicated to fellowship, goodwill and community service through member volunteer service and support. The club raises funds through its annual golf tournament to provide scholarships to deserving graduating high school students in Western Henrico and Goochland counties and monetary donations to other charitable and nonprofit organizations serving Short Pump and the Greater Richmond metropolitan area.
For details, visit www.shortpumpruritan.org. The club is part of Ruritan National, which is composed of more tahn 25,000 members serving more than 900 communities nationwide.
