Paris, Tenn.–The Downtown Paris Association announced the 2022-2023 HCHS Lady Patriot Softball team will serve as the Grand Marshals of the 2023 Holly Jolly Electric Christmas Parade and this year’s Ambassadors will be Rick and Pam Conger, who have been involved with the community for many years.
Parade Chairperson Vickey Roberts said of the Grand Marshals: “This group of young ladies played their hearts out and we are excited to recognize and thank them for their outstanding representation of their school and this community”.
The team of 17 young ladies and their three coaches accomplished much in their season of play In the 2022-23 season they finished the season as the District 14AAAA Champions, the Region 7AAAA Champions, the TSSAA Class 4A Sectional Champions and then competed in the TSSAA Class 4A Final Four.
Team members are: Emma Thompson, Noe Wilkerson, Celia Lamkin, Jocelyn Lee, Mia Arnold, Alley French, Serenity Crosser, Andie Barett, Layne Latimer, Allison Glatt, Audrey Hill, Breely Pierpoint, Lilly Steele, Emily Puckett, Maddie Moroni, Emma Chilcutt and Eva Lemonds. Coaches are Renae Lassiter, Paul Putman, and Jacey Flanagan.
Rick and Pam Conger were selected by the Downtown Paris Association to be the DPA Ambassadors. Each year DPA selects a person or persons that have gone above and beyond to assist and support the efforts and mission of the association for the betterment of our downtown.
Rick and Pam Conger have been active supporters of downtown Paris for years. Rick opened Paris Karate in downtown Paris in 1980, and still operates in the same location. Pam is retired from Foundation Bank.
The Congers became involved with the DPA in the early 1990s. Rick has served as Vice President, President, and Secretary/ Treasurer throughout the years. Rick and Pam at one time or another have helped with every downtown event.
Fall decorations and Halloween events have always been a particular favorite. In the early 2000s, the DPA voted to rebirth a downtown Halloween costume contest from the 1970s, and Rick along with Gaines Hedges headed up the first event that became known as Spooktacular. This event remained in downtown until 3 years ago when it grew to such proportions that the City of Paris Parks and Recreation took it over and moved it to Eiffel Tower Park.
The Flower Station recently donated ribbon and Pam volunteered to create over 130 beautiful bows for the Christmas wreaths in downtown. For Pam this was a labor of love because the beautification of downtown is important not only to her but our entire community.
Pam has served many organizations including Paris Young Singers, the Arts Council, and Quota. Rick and Pam are active members of First Christian Church in downtown Paris.
DPA Interim Director Jennifer Morris said, “The Downtown Paris Association deeply appreciates the many years of service by Rick and Pam. The only way our downtown thrives is through the efforts of people like the Congers. We are forever grateful for their service and are excited about recognizing them as DPA Ambassadors.”
Photo by Pam and Rick Conger by Shannon McFarlin.