Initially Published by the Parsons Advocate on May 11, 2016 (link)
Photo by Brian Sarfino
The Tucker County Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients for the 38th Annual Chamber Awards. The banquet will be on Thursday evening, May 19, 2016 at 6:00pm at Canaan Valley Resort. Tickets are only $35 and can be purchased at the Information Center in Davis or by calling 304-259-5315. The Chamber has solicited nominations for six different categories, the secret committee has met and the results are in!
Educator of the Year: Jay Hamric
The Principal at Tucker County High School
Mountain Hospice is the proud sponsor of this award.
One colleague wrote, “Jay holds himself to the highest professional standards. When he took over as principal in the Fall of 2010, he was inheriting a school in the middle of the state OEPA improvement process with a school improvement grant to manage. He had to reorganize teacher leadership, reestablish building routines, build the trust with staff and mentor a brand new assistant principal. He has spread leadership throughout the building, and used his professional skills to develop the teachers into leaders.”
“Mr. Hamric has completely changed the face of TCHS, going as far as spending his summers in the building making sure it is ready and welcoming for the start of each school year. He takes time to celebrate with the staff recognitions, morning meetings, holiday celebrations in the community and other fun activities like staff river rafting and barbeques.”
Student of the Year: Seth Evans
Performance Chevrolet is the proud sponsor of this award.
One nomination said, “Seth was nominated to attend Boy’s State Camp at Jackson’s Mill by Principal Jay Hamric for his leadership abilities and skills. He has maintained his grades; being both on the Principal’s List an an All-Star Student for Grades and Attendance.”
One nomination said, “This young man demonstrates great leadership on the golf course with his skills. [Seth] plays fairly and with determination to win. He always maintains an even temper in those tough moments and never speaks a negative word, only smiles. He has a positive influence on his peers when he leads by example. He is a great athlete in basketball also. He has been selected as First Team All-State as a senior basket ballplayer. [Seth] has been selected as First Team All Potomac Conference in golf and basketball.”
Another nomination said, “His Community Service has includes Bible School, Assistant Referee for School Scrimmages, Elimination Dinner Server, Student Coach for Alumni Basketball Game, Community Health Fair Assistant, Vaccine Clinic Assistant, Community Painting and Shredding, etc.”
Employee of the Year: Rebecca “Becky” Ray
Blackwater Falls State Park is the proud sponsor of this award.
One nomination said, “It has been my great pleasure to work with Becky for the last 10 years her at Mountain Top Realty. In that time she has become an integral part of this business and has become our ambassador to the community.”
Another nomination mentioned, “Her cheerful attitude, willingness to help, and ability to get things done efficiently are three essential qualities that make Becky an excellent choice for employee of the year.”
One nomination said, “Becky is always doing her job with a smile. Anytime I have stopped in to get information about rentals at Mountain Top Realty, Becky is always cheerful and willing to help in any way. Not only does she handle the rentals with expertise; but she is also willing to help me and others with our rental homes.”
Business of the year: Verglas Media, Victoria Weeks
Davis High Valley Realty is the proud sponsor of this award.
One nomination said, “Two years ago Victoria created and has been lead organizer in the Plum Tuckered Film Festival. A bona fide film festival now has a home in Tucker County! Films have been presented by filmmakers from all over the world. For one weekend a year each April, Davis and the surrounding area are on display to a whole new set of tourists who visit because of this festival.”
Another nomination, “While nationally recognized for her work, Victoria has made time to be a great support for our county. She has created accessible local pricing and proved pro bono advice without which many of our local businesses and organizations would not have the graphic design and websites that they enjoy today.”
Community Service Award: Marvin E. “Bud” Parsons
Mon General Heath Systems is the proud sponsor of this award.
One nomination mentioned, “Bud is one of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside. It is often said, if you want to get something done, ask the busiest person you know. That would be Bud Parsons. He not only devotes his time, he shares his knowledge helping young farmers by donating space for them to learn to garden from one of the best.”
“Some of his volunteer sites include Tucker Community Foundation, WVU Extension Service Board, Hendricks Ruritans, Tucker County Veterans Association, PHS Alumni Association, St. George Academy preservation group, Tucker County High School greenhouse project and is very active with the Taste of Tucker Farmer’s Market.”
[End original Advocate article]
2016 Tuckineer: Sarah Fletcher
This secret award is for someone who is outstanding in his/her field and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make Tucker County a better place to live, work and own/operate a business through their public service to this community. The term “Tuckineer” is derived from “Tucker” and “Mountaineer.”
Announced on the night of the banquet, Citizens Bank of West Virginia is the sponsor of this prestigious award.
Sarah Fletcher was this year recipient. As perfectly described by one of the nominations:
“Sarah always puts everyone first. She has many talents and uses them daily within her community. You can depend on Sarah at all times to be there and to help out! She never says “no” just “when and what can I do?” We are fortunate to have Sarah in Tucker County and she deserves to be recognized for all she does.”
So just what does the “Energizer Bunny of Tucker County” do?
Summed up by another nomination: “Sarah is a native of Tucker County and her family was one of the first settlers to come to the area. Sarah is a retired nurse and nursing instructor, business owner (Ben’s Old Loom Barn), lay minister and has worked tirelessly volunteering for various organizations in this county. As a member of the Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, she has been very active in all of the fundraisers and events and is currently the secretary of the organization. She is always willing to help out in anything she is asked to do. She volunteers at the Friends of the 500th, for the Canaan Valley NWR, Mountain Top Library, Tucker Community Foundation and many other organizations in the county. ”
“She is the epitome of a Tuckineer!”
Congratulations, Sarah!