Baker honors community leaders; names Shana Claiborne Citizen of the Year
May 13, 2026 | Baker, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
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Baker — The Baker Inter Club Council presented civic awards Thursday evening, recognizing volunteers, first responders and city employees for community service and youth outreach. Shana Claiborne, founder of the Deontre Claiborne Stop the Violence Foundation, was named the 2025 City of Baker Citizen of the Year for her work on violence prevention and youth programs.
Miranda George Howe Riley, identified in remarks as Baker’s 2024 Citizen of the Year and founder of the Magnolia Rose Foundation, introduced Claiborne and cited the nonprofit’s summer camp and mentoring work. “For her unwavering commitment to youth development, violence prevention, and community empowerment, Shana Claiborne is [a] truly deserving recipient of the City Of Baker Citizen of the Year Award,” Riley said.
Claiborne, accepting the award, spoke about turning grief into community work after losing her son and thanked volunteers and families who support the foundation. “This award is just not for me. It represents every person that has stood beside me,” she said.
The evening also honored public-safety personnel. The Baker Fire Department’s Randy Crosby received Firefighter of the Year; Crosby told the audience he shared the honor with his crew and family, saying, “I’m truly honored to stand here tonight as a firefighter of the year.” The police department recognized Jamie Watson as its outstanding employee of the year for records and investigative support, and named Sergeant Darius (surname spelled inconsistently in the transcript) police officer of the year for sustained community service and responsiveness.
Organizers used the ceremony to promote several public-safety and community programs. Hosts placed rosemary plants at tables as part of an Alzheimer’s-awareness effort and announced free gun locks at event tables. Doris Alexander, president of the Baker Inter Club Council, presented the Rotary Club of Baker as Club of the Year for its literacy work and urged attendees to scan a QR code to enroll children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library; organizers noted roughly 400 local enrollments in the program.
Event emcees and organizers read a roll of past award recipients aloud, thanked partner groups including Main Street, the Baker Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and the Baker Fire and Police departments, and closed the evening with a benediction by Deacon Shelley.
The awards night emphasized long-term mentoring and local volunteerism as pathways to reduce youth violence and expand opportunities in Baker. Organizers asked attendees to take free safety resources on the way out and said the community will continue supporting anti-violence and youth development work.
Miranda George Howe Riley, identified in remarks as Baker’s 2024 Citizen of the Year and founder of the Magnolia Rose Foundation, introduced Claiborne and cited the nonprofit’s summer camp and mentoring work. “For her unwavering commitment to youth development, violence prevention, and community empowerment, Shana Claiborne is [a] truly deserving recipient of the City Of Baker Citizen of the Year Award,” Riley said.
Claiborne, accepting the award, spoke about turning grief into community work after losing her son and thanked volunteers and families who support the foundation. “This award is just not for me. It represents every person that has stood beside me,” she said.
The evening also honored public-safety personnel. The Baker Fire Department’s Randy Crosby received Firefighter of the Year; Crosby told the audience he shared the honor with his crew and family, saying, “I’m truly honored to stand here tonight as a firefighter of the year.” The police department recognized Jamie Watson as its outstanding employee of the year for records and investigative support, and named Sergeant Darius (surname spelled inconsistently in the transcript) police officer of the year for sustained community service and responsiveness.
Organizers used the ceremony to promote several public-safety and community programs. Hosts placed rosemary plants at tables as part of an Alzheimer’s-awareness effort and announced free gun locks at event tables. Doris Alexander, president of the Baker Inter Club Council, presented the Rotary Club of Baker as Club of the Year for its literacy work and urged attendees to scan a QR code to enroll children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library; organizers noted roughly 400 local enrollments in the program.
Event emcees and organizers read a roll of past award recipients aloud, thanked partner groups including Main Street, the Baker Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and the Baker Fire and Police departments, and closed the evening with a benediction by Deacon Shelley.
The awards night emphasized long-term mentoring and local volunteerism as pathways to reduce youth violence and expand opportunities in Baker. Organizers asked attendees to take free safety resources on the way out and said the community will continue supporting anti-violence and youth development work.
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