The Annual District Awards Banquet was held April 22, 2010, at the Z-6 Building on the campus of the University of West Georgia. Assistant District Commissioner, Dr. Jay Langley was the master of ceremonies introducing all the recognitions and presenters. After the Pledge and the Invocation, dinner was served and promptly interrupted by the building fire alarm. Everyone adjourned to the patio where friendly discussions continued as fire engines and other folks reviewed the situation. Shortly we returned to our dinner and the ceremony portion of the program commenced.
Jay introduced the honored guests including Dr. Michael Aldrich, District Chairman, Kerry Patuka, District Commissioner, and Justin Thomas representing the Atlanta Area council as our Field Director.
Next came numerous recognitions for members of the district for their service throughout the year. Each of these leaders took a few minutes to review their projects or programs. Individuals speaking included Sara Gilbraith for Scouting for Food Lisa Herndon for Cub Scout activities, Dr. Calain for Order of the Arrow, Jeff Anderson for evening Door Prizes and Neal Herndon for Youth Advancements.
The Godsend Awards were the first recognition presentations of the evening. The Commissioner's Staff presented the awards to following persons. Everyone receiving the God Send recognitions received a Gold Name Tag indicating the recognitions and the date.
Master of Ceremonies, Langley introduced Mrs. Patuka and they presented unit leader's awards together.
This year our Cubmaster of the Year was selected from the list of nominees including Bill Lambert, P371, Kerry Patuka, P2345, Bridget Peppers, P1907 and Tiffany Gardner, P123. This year’s Cubmaster of the Year for her work stating and operating Pack 1907 is Bridget Peppers.
The Scoutmaster of the Year nominees were Terry Strickland- T2424, Pete Bober- T371, Wayne Stansbury- T123 and Tony Altman- T179. The 2009 Scoutmaster of the year is Terry Strickland for his work in starting and operating Troop 2424.
Our District Commissioner, Kerry Patuka next presented the Commissioner of the Year award, which was in recognition of the outstanding Commissioner service. The recognition went to Mitch Johnson, our Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner. He was recognized for his service to Round Table but also for service to the Commissioner’s Team as he served above and beyond expectation acting as a Unit Commissioner while executing his Round Table expectations. A special Commissioner's Court of Honor will be held later in the year.
The District Award of Merit nominees were introduced by Commissioner Patuka and Dr. Ken Calain. The nominations for this prestigious recognition for 2009 included Mitch Johnson, Randy Cogins, Mike Handyside, Neal Herndon, David Hoffman, Mike Renfrow, Amy Cofer, Sara Galbraith, Lisa Herndon, Ken Jeffers, Jay Langley, Kent Lovvorn and Dr.Mel Steely. The nominations committee had a hard time coming to agreement, as there were so many worth candidates. However, after several votes and almost an hour of discussion a decision was achieved. In no particular order Mr. Randy Cogins was recognized as the first of two recipients for the Three Rivers District Award of Merit for 2009. The second recipient for the Three Rivers District Award of Merit for 2009 was Mrs. Lisa Herndon. Please join me in congratulating them for their continued outstanding service to Three Rivers over the last year.
Finally, the culminating recognition for 2009 was the Outstanding Organization of the Year recognition. This year, as last, our district wanted to identify the Charter Organization that had positively influenced their units above others in Three Rivers. This year four organizations were nominated. They included, in no particular order Carrollton First United Methodist Church, Tallapoosa East Baptist Church, Fairfield Plantation Kiwanis Club and First Presbyterian Church of Carrollton. For service in supporting youth and programs the 2009 Outstanding Unit of the Year was awarded to Tallapoosa East Baptist Church for it’s service and support for both a fairly new Cub Scout Pack and a much newer Boy Scout Troop. Congratulations and thanks to Tallapoosa East Baptist for all it’s support for the youth of Three Rivers including their own Pack and Troop 371.
Congratulations to all recipients of awards and recognitions!!! Especially to the District Award of Merit recipients, Lisa Herndon and Randy Cogins!!!
