Port Arthur News reporter Mary Meaux receives the Media Award during the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. She is seen with Art Thomas, left, Randy Sonnier and Nathan Rivers, right. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)

A funny thing happened to me the other day while attending the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet -- I learned my co-workers and chamber officials were good at keeping a secret.

I learned I have "ninja skills."

And like Chamber President/CEO Joe Tant joked, so many lies were told.

But how else could they keep me in the dark about the media award they were giving me when I was one of the people writing about the award recipients?

Seated at a table with my coworkers during the Annual Banquet this week I jotted down notes and recorded the ceremony while keeping track of everything going on -- just as I do at any other event/interview.

I knew the people who would be called to the stage and honored especially since The Port Arthur News had written a special section honoring some of those folks.

I followed along keeping track of the time because of our deadlines. I even picked a spot where I would make a silent exit to head back and write the story.

For some reason, my coworkers and boss kept me from focusing on the time.

Then Chamber Director of Operations Latisha Poledore went to the podium to announce some Media Award Presentation. Hmm, the recipient's name is not listed on the program, I noted.

Latisha, who is one of the sweetest people I've ever met, told the audience if she gets a little emotional please forgive her as she had the privilege to present "this award to an individual from this community who has been a pillar."

"They come in, they get the information and she just kind of does this whole little ninja thing where she leaves but I just know she gets all the information that she needs," Latisha said.

That's when I started making a mental note of who the recipient could be. There are so many deserving media people I know. I internally picked a media/communications person waiting to see whose name would be called.

Surprise, it was me.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement -- I can prove it by the photos my coworkers took showing the disbelief on my face.

Although my job requires me to talk to strangers as well as people I know, I am shy, especially with things like this. I barely remember walking to the stage area where someone handed me some beautiful flowers and an award before I was asked to move to a backdrop for a photo with Chamber officials. Outgoing Chairman Art Thomas held the flowers in the vase for me for the photo because I was still in a state of shock and probably would have dropped them.

My former publisher Stephen Hemelt who is now director of communications with HB Neild was there to rescue me after the photo shoot and carry the flowers to our table.

I read the words on the award but it didn't sink in at the time.

"Presented to Mary Meaux for your tireless leadership and dedication to the citizens of Southeast Texas and the members of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce."

I have been doing this for over 24 years and often I sit back and wonder if what I do actually makes a difference.