The Tucker County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the recipients for the 45th Annual Chamber Awards. The banquet will be on Thursday evening, May 18, 2023 at 5:30pm at Canaan Valley Resort. Tickets are $40 and can be reserved at the Information Center in Davis or by calling 304-259-5315 by May 10th. The Chamber has solicited nominations for six different categories and few Special Awards, the secret committee has met and the results are in for the 2023 winners!
- Educator of the Year: James Marple
Tucker County High School, Math Teacher
Mountain Hospice is the proud sponsor of this award.
James Marple is a resident of Parsons, WV and current Math Teacher at the Tucker County High School. During his time as a Math and Social Studies Teacher at the then, Davis Correctional Center, he was the recipient of the 2007 Office of Institutional Education Teacher of the Year.
A nomination for Mr. Marple said, “He has served Tucker County Education for many years, working at the Rubenstein Center and Tucker County High School.” “He is willing to willing to stay after school when needed, he is willing to provide additional support whenever needed throughout his school day, even when he is not required to be working with students.”
- Student of the Year: Daniel Levi Bennett
Sirianni’s Café is the proud sponsor of this award.
“Levi, as we call him is a quiet and reserved young man. He is happy to be in the background and watch all his friends, as well as his teammates, be successful and never complains that he doesn’t get the credit or acknowledgement that he deserves.”, as one nomination describes him.
Another nomination said, “I am proud to say, is an exemplary student who holds a 3.75 GPA, but his best attributes are demonstrated beyond the classroom. Levi has hamble integrity that is pervasive whether it be school, sports or church.”
A nomination for him said, “Levi is an exceptional student and athlete. He is a wonderful role model for younger classmen at high school. He has demonstrated the ability to balance academia with after school activities successfully.”
Another wrote about his dedication, “Levi is the type of kid that would show up at school at 6am to work on basketball skills to better himself and his team. He is also the kids that would volunteer his time and resources after school or practice, in the evening or whenever asked to assist in any way possible.”
“I have watched him grown into a wonderful young man with a love for athletics, participating in fellow Christian Athletes. He actively attends church at Brights Chapel where he also sings in the choir. He works with his family on Bennett Farms, and in his spare time, he serves in community events and projects.”, another recognizes his community involvement.”
- Employee of the Year: Bailey Falls
Blackwater Falls State Park is the proud sponsor of this award
Bailey Falls is Director of the Tucker County Animal Shelter. “Bailey is always doing more than expected of her. She stays late every day to ensure everything is taken care of, she is wholeheartedly dedicated to the animal shelter, professionalism is always maintained by her, the employees always feel respected and appreciated, and the animals in her care receive nothing by the best care she can provide for them.”, as nomination describes her.
Another nomination said, “I very much appreciate her attention to details, responsiveness, and willingness to follow actions through to their completion.” “The shelter truly benefits from Bailey’s leadership.”
One nomination expressed, “She is always willing to help and greets everyone and every situation with kindness and professionalism.”
Another mentioned, “Her service to the community in her job capacity is above and beyond measure. We love how much she has helped us in situations that were out of our control.”
- Business of the Year: Timberline Mountain
Best of Canaan is the proud sponsor of this award
Perfect North and the Perfect Family purchased Timberline Four Seasons Resort in late of 2019. Rebranding and reopening the ski resort in 2020/2021 season as Timberline Mountain.
One nomination wrote, “Timberline Mountain has significantly impacted skiing in the mid-Atlantic region, improved quality of life for the people of Tucker County, and positively affected tourism for the area.”
“Immediately work began on a ten-million-dollar investment spread throughout the entire resort. The new owners using their forty years of ski industry knowledge and expertise developed an effective plan and schedule that would breathe new life into the shuttered resort.”
Another nomination mentioned, “The return of skiers brings quality employment to Tucker County. Restaurants and shops, along with lodging facilities and convenience stores are felling the impact of having one of the best ski areas on the East Coast right here, in the place we all call home.”
- Community Service Award: Eddi Evans
Canaan Valley Resort is the proud sponsor of this award
A nomination describes Eddie, “He is a valuable asset to Tucker County, most of which is unknown by the general public but they benefit greatly from his unselfish service to others.”
Another nomination said, “Ed is always helping those in need by volunteering to mow their grass, organizing and cooking the chicken for chicken burn fund-raisers, working at Camp Kid for the Tucker County Fair and 4H, coaching little league, picking up trash, mowing parks and cemeteries, and providing financial help so kids can play sports or participate in the activities of their choice.”
One nomination wrote, “I couldn’t even begin to list all the things he has done at Camp Kidd for the betterment of it. My favorite though, is he volunteers fair week to camp out every night down there to keep an eye on the livestock.”
- Special Award: 2023 Tucker County Boys and Girls Basket Teams
Tucker Community Foundation is the proud sponsor of this award
Both the Tucker County Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams finished the season as the State Runners-Ups in Class A!
The Boys’ Team, playing in the finals for the first time since 2004, finished the season with a 21-5 record.
The Girls’ Team for the 19th consecutive season qualified for the State Tournament, which is the longest streak for a girls or boys team in West Virginia. They finished the season with a 21-3 record.
- A Special Award in Heritage and Arts: Camp Horseshoe Quilt Retreat
Roxanne Tuesing is the proud sponsor of this award
The secret committee agreed to recognize Mary Jane Smith and the Camp Horseshoe Quilt Retreat. Mary Jane started the Quilt Retreat over 20 years ago and continues to organize the event to this day. The Horseshoe Quilt Retreat is a celebration of sewing and fellowship.
Tuckineer: TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE BANQUET
Citizens Bank of West Virginia is the sponsor of this prestigious award.
For more information or to reserve your tickets, contact the Chamber office at 304-259-5315 prior to the end of business on May 10th!
