Montine McNulty has put in years of sweat equity as a lobbyist representing the Arkansas Hospitality Association. On May 12, she received a healthy dose of hospitality herself, as the recipient of the Lifetime Service Award from City Year Little Rock at its Red Jacket Ball. The fundraiser was held in the Governor's Hall of the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
Members of the Mabelvale Elementary Drum & Groove Ensemble greeted attendees with a performance outside the entrance. Red-jacketed City Year Little Rock AmeriCorps members welcomed guests in the lobby.
Sarah Robertson, vice president and executive director of City Year Little Rock, provided an overview of City Year accomplishments, then a film about the organization served as the intro for the City Year Little Rock members to take the stage. Several spoke about their work to motivate schoolchildren to finish their education. Among them were Sam Kossow and his McClellan Magnet High School mentee Dantayvious Pride-Thomas.
The Oscar-winning song "Glory" from the movie Selma was performed by a choir of students from Baseline Elementary and Mabelvale and Cloverdale middle schools. Board member Scott Hamilton made a pitch for donations prior to a meal of pork steak with cream au poivre sauce and a short live auction.
McNulty was introduced via a tribute by her daughter, Allison McNulty Cox, with brothers Scott and Mark McNulty at her side. "Montine McNulty has so many fans because she is everyone else's No. 1 fan," Cox said. McNulty also was honored with a video tribute from former President Bill Clinton.
After being presented with her own red jacket -- along with jackets for her grandchildren -- McNulty gave thanks and recognition to past honorees.
"We're here tonight to support and to celebrate success -- and we know what it looks like, don't we?" she said.
-- Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 05/22/2016