Congratulations to Felix Sunga of the Bay Area Ring Club for his selection as "Decoy of the Year" for NARA in 2002!!

Way to go Felix! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Here were the Nominee's for Decoy of the Year (in alphabetical order)

Joe Cinnante, Elite K9 Ring Club
Mr. Cinnante has shown incredible growth as a Decoy, Trainer, and supporter of NARA. In less than the span of 1 year, Joe has certified as a Level I Decoy, served as a Decoy in two trials (as of this nomination), presented his own dog for Brevet (attained certificate), and served as the main training decoy for two dogs to title this year (one at FR II, and one at FR I). In addition, Joe continuously seeks out instruction from the best decoys in the world by traveling to France and Mexico at his own expense. He was a recent participant in the first ever NARA-Sponsored Decoy Camp, and he has accomplished all of this at an age when most of us weren't sure which end of the leash to hold. His devotion to better himself as a decoy and a sportsman is well deserving of Selection of NARA's Decoy of the Year for 2002.

Frank Cowen, Massachusetts Ring Club
Frank has grown not only in this sport as a trial decoy, but also as a training decoy. Frank certified back in May of 2000 at the Mass Ring Trial under Daniel Berneuil and received his apprentice selection. Since then, he has put in a tremendous amount of hard work, sweat and tears to become what he is today. Frank worked extremely hard to receive his level I selection and has continued to improve himself by learning more about the sport, not only as a decoy but also as a competitor. If I have to give one persons name that I feel has Ring Sport flowing through his blood, then I would without a doubt say that Frank is the one. Decoying in Ringsport is not just a hobby for him; it is a way of life. Throughout the time that I have known Frank Cowen, which is about 3 years, Frank has a made the most improvement than I have ever seen in a decoy, and also as a person on Ring.

Felix Sunga, Bay Area Ring Club
Felix gives his time and energy to his club, their dogs and his sport. He has traveled at his own expense to help other clubs when decoys were needed for trials. He continually gives of himself to improve his skills and abilities so that he may better help others around him. It is not about what Felix gets out of decoying, but what he gives to everyone else, often at the cost to himself and his own dog. His dedication to this sport epitomizes what the Decoy of the year is all about. He has a big heart for this sport and is a genuine guy.

Dean Taylor, Western Washing Ring Trainers Club
Dean Taylor certified 2 years ago as a NARA Decoy at the age of 42. Dean got his first ever dog in 1996 and has trained it up to a Ring II on his own, while decoying it on his own as well. Dean has also been a key player in keeping French Ringsport alive in his area, never turning anyone away who wants help working a dog. He has also played a positive roll for NARA by encouraging members, and helping others progress in this sport. He has been his club's only training decoy for 4 years and now is helping teach that craft to others. When Texas was in need of a decoy for their trial, Dean flew down there at his own expense to help make that trial a success. Dean has a selfless spirit about him that I would like to see all of our decoys have. It is not all about who is the best decoy on the trial field, but what decoy helps NARA grow and who played more of a roll for the betterment of NARA. Dean Taylor fits that bill.

Lesli Taylor, Secretary
North American Ring Association