TOPS: Winners of Chapter Recognition Day

TOPS Chapter 9319 El Dorado Springs met in the Bethel Free Will Baptist Church, 1300 S. Summer St, El Dorado Springs on Thursday, March 31, 2022 for their weekly weigh-in and meeting.
Linda Hall, Leader, called the meeting to order.
Carol and Ray led us in singing “When I Joined TOPS”
We said our TOPS and KOPS pledges.
Linda led us in roll call and walking reports. Twenty-Three members weighed in, we had a Gain of 6.0 lbs. and a Loss of 7.8 resulting in a Net Loss of 1.8 lbs. Best loser for the week was a tie between Judy B and Sharron G each with a loss of 1.6 lbs. Congratulations Ladies!
The meeting was then turned over to Marilyn and Carol for Chapter Recognition Day.
This year we have adopted the theme: Winter Olympics. Our Olympic winners are unique. Their awards and medals are for losing—-pounds, that is. That does not mean that they worked any less diligently than those who participated in the Olympics in China last month. In fact, their achievements took not only daily exercise and commitment but restraint. Restraint from eating that last piece of cake or pie. Restraint from not being influenced by well-meaning family or friends. They did not wait to take that first step and expanded their support team by joining TOPS and seriously and sensibly day by day, week by week, focused on their goal.
Our Division Winners lost a total of 102.4 pounds. They each achieved a goal of ten or more pounds lost and will be recognized for their determination now. However, before we recognize those who lost 10+ pounds, we want to acknowledge a very close call, the famous .2 of a pound close call. Chris is a Bronze Medal Winner for losing 9.8 pounds during 2021. He was so close to becoming a KOPS in 2021. He will achieve that in 2022!
Silver Medal Winner, Robbie C with a loss of 17.4 lbs.; Gold Medal Winner, Sharron with a loss of 33.6 lbs.
Winners in Division 4 were:
Bronze medal winner, Judy B with a loss of 12.2 lbs.; Silver Medal winner Laura with a loss of 14.4 lbs.;
Gold Medal Winner Judy D with a loss of 24.8. Congratulations to all our division winners!
Laura Hicks received a very special award, one that is a first for our local chapter. Laura lost over 100 lbs. with TOPS and kept it off for a year. She was given a “100” pin and will be awarded at TOPS International Recognition Days in Jefferson City in April.
Our Chapter has 30 members and 9 of these are “KOPS” (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) The KOPS in our chapter were awarded as follows;
Jean joined TOPS in 2004 and became a KOPS a year later with a loss of 45.5 pounds to goal. She was also Queen Runner-Up that year. In 2021 she maintained her KOPS status for 16 consecutive years.
Carol joined TOPS in 2001 and became a KOPS in 2002 and was Queen that year. She accumulated 13 years as a KOPS during that time and finally held onto her KOPS status for 5 years in a row to receive her 5-year consecutive pin from TOPS International last year.
Linda joined TOPS in 1989. There were many ups and downs during those 16 years but she never gave up and became a KOPS in 2005. Like Carol she had a few rough years but has accumulated 10 years as a KOPS.
Juda started our chapter in 1968 and has never left. That is 53 years of continuous commitment to TOPS. She regained her KOPS in 2020 and became our 2020 Queen. She has accumulated 7 years as a KOPS in 2021.
Marie joined TOPS in 2000. She became a KOPS in 2004 and was our Queen that year. Like some of us she bounced in and out of KOPS but never gave up and has 4 years accumulated in 2021.
The 2021 Chapter Royalty was then introduced:
Ray jumped from TOPS to KOPS in one week with a loss of 1.8 pounds! He was ready to be a KOPS the minute he joined and never looked back. He knew we needed a Chapter King this year so rose to the occasion for us. Thank you, Ray,
Judy Dingley is our Queen Runner Up. Judy lost 42.2 pounds to goal.
Laura Hicks is our Chapter Queen, she lost 123.0 pounds to goal in only 2 years, 2 months, and 13 days. What an accomplishment. This averages to a little under 5 pounds a month or 1. 2 pounds a week. Now that is what is called doing it sensibly. In addition, Laura also lost the most weight to goal in 2021 in the whole state of Missouri! Laura will be crowned State Queen at the TOPS Missouri Recognition Days in Jefferson City later on in April.
With no other business the meeting was adjourned with Linda’s thought for the week. “The biggest obstacle in your in your path watches you from the mirror every day”
And our Chapter Motto: IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.
TOPS #MO 9319 meets each Thursday Morning in the Bethel Free Will Church 1300 S. Summer, El Dorado Springs. Weigh-in starts at 7:45 a.m. the meeting begins at 8:45 a.m. and is over by 10 a.m.

Chapter Queen Laura Hicks lost 123.0 lbs. to goal, Chapter King, Ray Bozarth lost 1.8 lbs. to goal and Chapter Queen Runner-up Judy Dingley lost 42.2 lbs. to goal.
Laura will represent El Dorado Springs at Jefferson City April 29-30, as Missouri State TOPS Queen, 2021. She lost the most weight of allfFemale TOPS members in the state of Missouri in 2021.
Left to right, Judy Dingley Queen Runner up, Queen Laura Hicks and King Ray Bozarth.

Are you ready to stop dieting and start making real changes? TOPS can help you reach your weight-loss goals by providing you with the tools, information, support, and accountability you need to be successful. After all, this has been a winning formula for TOPS members just like you for 70 years. We welcome women and men of all ages and couples are encouraged to join. We encourage healthy eating and offer support through our chapter and the National Chapter of TOPS. We have a lot of fun in our weight loss journey and make lifelong friendships. First visit is free with no obligation.

Laura Hicks Missouri TOPS International 2021 Queen and TOPS Mo# 9319 Chapter Queen.

For more information call Linda Hall at 417 876 7404. Or TOPS toll-free number 1 800-932-8677 or you can find us on the web at www.tops.org.
Come and join us.