The 2011 Women’s Conference at Utah State University College of Eastern Utah honored Debra Prichard as the 2011 Outstanding Woman of Southeastern Utah.
“As I was listening to everything she was saying, I thought вЂwow this lady does a lot of stuff,’” said Prichard. “I was also thinking, вЂif its any of you that have ever done any of this stuff, you know that this doesn’t happen.’ One person doesn’t do this.”
Prichard’s focus has always been on service – whether it be at church, work, or in the community – her concern for others comes first.
Prichard volunteers for church functions, teaches weekly religious classes for kindergarten-age children, and ministers at services regularly.
As a member of the Life Line committee, a pro-life group, she helped raise funds to buy pregnancy tests, diapers, baby clothes and more to help assist those in need.
She is continually baking and cooking for area shut-ins who cannot get out of their homes for medical and physical reasons. Prichard is there with a call, card, food or a treat whenever anyone is in need. She never asks for help, but is always the first one there to lend her hand.
Prichard is deeply involved with the “Look Good, Feel Better” cancer program. With her assistance, patients receive make-up applications, head shavings, wig purchases, spa services and encouragement. Twice a year a wig fundraiser is held so wigs can be purchased for women who cannot afford one.
Prichard also participates in the “Locks of Love” event where almost 1,000 inches of hair is cut and donated to a company who makes wigs for those who have medical problems that led to hair loss. Prichard sits on the event’s committee.
She is not a stranger to Carbon County’s Relay for Life. She has been involved in organizing teams, providing spa services and much more for the participants every year. She has a monetary goal every year that she tries to reach to help fund cancer research.
The welfare and education of her students is her primary concern. Many hours are spent preparing and organizing the annual Spring Festival, a two-day community prom, bridal and special event used to raise scholarship funds for USU-CEU students. Carbon and Emery county businesses participate in this fund-raising event.
While serving as the cosmetology department chair, she started a barbering program and nail program that served the college and the area well. She has also taught Love and Logics classes for parents in the area.
Prichard set up Hair Cut Days where all the proceeds help fund the various clubs and sports on the USU-CEU campus. She has her program offer free haircut days to help students who do not have the funds to have their hair trimmed without cost.
The Castle Valley Center uses Prichard’s expertise to have her students provide prom hairstyles, make-up and manicures to prepare for the coveted Castle Valley “Prom Dance” each year.
She most recently provided the “Lighthouse” students with a spa day to help their self-esteem. She continues to offer classes at churches and schools to help make people feel and look good.
The senior care centers in the area do not go unnoticed, as Prichard makes sure the residents get a manicure. The USU-CEU Theater Department uses Prichard’s expertise to style their actor’s hair and makeup to fit the period the play is portraying.
She was also Chairwoman of the Utah State Vocational workshops and the Utah State Skills USA conferences. Many students were trained under her and won state and national Skills USA competitions.
Prichard has served USU-CEU on various committees, including her most recent:
- CEU outstanding student awards
- CEU women’s conference
- CEU SUN Center
- CEU tenure and sabbatical
- CEU hiring committees
- CEU semester conversion
- CEU faculty review
- CEU satisfactory progress appeals
- CEU accreditation
- CEU Bread ‘n’ Soup Night