Lawrence County Awarded County of the Year at Soar Gala
LAWRENCE COUNTY JUDGE, Phillip Carter, Lawrence County Deputy Judge, Vince Doty, Magistrates Mike Halcomb and John Scaggs, Lawrence County Tourism Director, Wes Kingsmore, Louisa Mayor, Harold Slone, Lawrence County Clerk Chris Jobe, Senator, Phillip Wheeler, along with his son, and State Representative Scott Sharp were present to accept the award and represent Lawrence County during the Gala.
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
PRESTONSBURG — SOAR held their first ever East Kentucky Gala, presented by Kentucky Power, at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg on Saturday, during which they presented awards, including one for Lawrence County, as county of the year.
Addiction Recovery Care presented the award to Lawrence County. The award recognizes a county government that is working to create opportunities for citizens and attracting new citizens, talent and industries in creative and collaborative ways.
Lawrence County Judge Phillip Carter, Lawrence County Deputy Judge, Vince Doty, Magistrates Mike Halcomb and John Scaggs, Lawrence County Tourism Director, Wes Kingsmore, Louisa Mayor, Harold Slone, County Clerk Chris Jobe, Senator, Phillip Wheeler, along with his son, and State Representative Scott Sharp were present to accept the award and represent Lawrence County during the event.
The networking event was hosted by KY Innovation and the reception event after the award ceremony was hosted by King’s Daughters Medical Center.
The award ceremony was presented by Appalachian Regional Healthcare with entertainment by the Kentucky Opry Band.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Rajant Corporation, went to Hal Rogers. The award recognizes a person in Kentucky who has devoted a lifetime of service to advancing Eastern Kentucky and someone whose work will impact generations to come.
Business Person of the Year was presented by Gearheart Communications. The award recognizes a business leader whose leadership has led to the growth of their business or company and the award went to Donovan Blackburn.
Appalachia Leadership Award was presented by BRIGHT Leadership Kentucky. The award is given to an individual who has provided leadership to make an impact at the regional level and was presented to Elmer Whitaker.
The Humanitarian Award was presented to Jerry Fultz by People’s Bank. The award recognizes the work of an individual or organization working to advance social causes such as poverty, food insecurity, housing and educational access across Appalachia.
City of the year Award, was presented by MakeMyMove, recognizing a city or municipal government working to create opportunities for citizens and attracting new citizens, talent and industries in creative and collaborative ways. The award was presented to the cities of Whitesburg and Jenkins.
Connect Award was presented by the Center for Rural Development to Thacker-Grigsby Communications and Leslie County Fiscal Court for working to advance broadband connectivity.
The Healthy Communities Award was presented by Pikeville Medical Center to Farmacy & CANE Kitchen for working to address health disparities in Eastern Kentucky.
Downtown of the Year was presented by Qk4 to Revitalize Russell for their support for existing businesses, attracting new business and beautification efforts.
Tourism Organization of the Year was presented by Creative Media of KY to Backroads of Appalachia in recognition of their efforts to promote tourism.
Startup of the Year was presented by KY Innovation to New Frontier for their small business startup.
Recovery Award was presented by Operation UNITE to Addiction Recovery Care for their efforts to provide opportunities for recovery for those impacted by substance use disorder.
Student of the Year was presented by KCTCS to Mountain View Elementary School and Logan Sizemore. The award is given to a high school or college student who has impacted their school, college, university and or community through academic excellence and community service.
Teacher of the Year presented by The Prichard Committee when to Dr. Chandran Haridas from Belfry High School for her impact on her school, and community by inspiring students and giving back to their community.
The Heroes Award for those who continue to put in the hard work and effort in helping those who were affected by last years severe flooding included, CANE Kitchen; Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky; Housing Development Alliance; Appalachian Apparel; Tiffany Craft, Mayor of Whitesburg; Jerry Fultz, Mayor of Wayland; Angie Hatton; East KY Dream Center; Seema Sachdeva; Mountain Association; Southeast Kentucky Economic Development; Community Ventures; Kentucky Small Business Development Center; Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and Christian Appalachian Project.