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Surprise honors community leaders with awards

Van De Langeryt named inaugural Individual Legend

Albert Celoza, executive director of Arizona Interfaith Movement, discusses love and unity at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Albert Celoza, executive director of Arizona Interfaith Movement, discusses love and unity at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

George Van De Langeryt, left, accepts the Individual Legend award from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

George Van De Langeryt, left, accepts the Individual Legend award from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

Kim Sterner, left, and Joanne Thomson of Benevilla, center, accept their award for Organization of the year from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Kim Sterner, left, and Joanne Thomson of Benevilla, center, accept their award for Organization of the year from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

Larry Castro, left, accepts the Volunteer of the Year award from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Larry Castro, left, accepts the Volunteer of the Year award from Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Chair Steffan Hanzel at the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

The Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices brought out a big crowd for a hot breakfast before the event.

The Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices brought out a big crowd for a hot breakfast before the event.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

Singers from Freedom Traditional Academy provided the national anthem to kick off the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Singers from Freedom Traditional Academy provided the national anthem to kick off the Sept. 28 Interfaith Breakfast event at the Dysart Unified School District Offices.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

George Van De Langeryt is a decorated disabled veteran, who has been fighting for veteran causes in the Surprise area for more than 15 years.

But he joked it could be one thing that led him to be named the Individual Legend at the inaugural Surprise Community Legend Awards event.

“I’m just happy to get recognized because I have a funny last name,” Van De Langeryt said, drawing laughter from a packed crowd Sept. 28 at the Dysart Unified School District Offices Governing Board Room.

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