Kelly and the late Chris Stadelman received the 2018 Tuckineer Award at the 40th Annual Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. The banquet and award ceremony were held at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.
As one scans the list of Tuckineers past, the names are quite inspiring. Each year since 1979, the award is presented to an individual in the community who pours so much of their time and energy back into this community that they hold so dear. This year’s Tuckineer award is the first bestowed upon two recipients.
All in attendance at the banquet, as well as those who know the Stadelmans personally, vouch for their service and dedication to Tucker County.
Chris died on Friday, May 11. After hugging her whole table, Kelly stepped behind the podium to give her speech. Before entering into her speech, she lit a candle and placed it on the podium in honor and remembrance of Chris.
Kelly’s speech honored her husband through touching anecdotes of their relationship, summaries of their accomplishments together, flourishes of humor, and expressions of gratitude and thanks toward this community.
“Throughout our 20 years together, Tucker County has been a constant in our lives,” Kelly said. “Sometimes I think God placed a magnet in Canaan Valley.”
Kelly recounted a comical mix up between Chris and Cathy King, which Chris titled “Mrs. King’s Third Grade Play,” that exhibited the nuances of Chris’ character, their work together at The Parsons Advocate, and this community.
By the end of her speech, few eyes were dry in the hall. “One of Chris’ favorite professors said to him, ‘Do you want to go out of this world like a tire with a bunch of tread on it, or do you want to go out of this world like a bald tire? You need to go 100 miles an hour all the time,'” Kelly said.
“That is what we did. We went a hundred miles an hour all the time. Whether it was here for the newspaper, or in another capacity, it’s what we did best together,” Kelly said.
Earlier in the award ceremony, Donna Stout was named Educator of the Year. She has served as a teacher in Tucker County for 37 years. “This award means more to me than any other award I have received, but I receive awards every day I teach, watching my students learn and grow,” Stout said.
Two Tucker County High School students were named Student of the Year. Student Body and Senior President Nathaniel Rader received the award for his involvement inside and outside of the halls of the high school.
Jack Melnick also received the Student of the Year Award. Melnick was highly involved in theater, music, and sports during his time at Tucker County High School. Rader and Melnick will room together while attending West Virginia University in the fall.
The Employee of the Year award went to Shaun Crittenden. Crittenden has worked diligently at Sirianni’s Café for 30 years. “I do what I do, because I enjoy the family that I work with,” Crittenden said.
Her diligence to her community extends outside of Sirianni’s through her donations to local churches, and the initiation of the Tucker Animal Shelter Fundraiser jar at Sirianni’s, which has raised $4,000.
Paul Wamsley was named the Business Person of the Year. Wamsely is the CEO of St. George Medical Clinic. When Wamsley came on board in 2007, there were 14 employees at the clinic and a meager budget. “We have grown the budget to 4.2 million, and we have approximately 4,471 patients we see annually now,” Wamsley said.
The Community Service Award went to Shirley White. White is the President of West Virginia Gold Star Mothers, a nonprofit group for mothers who have lost children in military service. She is a retired educator of 30 years.
White spoke on the importance of community. “Our communities are so many small groups put together. And here in Tucker County, we are so blessed to be able to pull these groups together,” White said.
