By: Jennifer Dearborn
The Tucker County Chamber of Commerce hosted their 42nd Awards Banquet June 24, 2021 at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Due to COVID19 in 2020 there was no awards dinner. The 2020 and 2021 award recipients were all recognized and presented with their award.
2021 Award Recipients
-Tuckineer: Kevin White
“I don’t deserve this. It’s a team effort. This is an award I didn’t expect”. White thanked his fellow team members, Parsons VFD, Tucker County OEM, the health department, and his family.
-Educator of the Year: Kelly Underwood
Kelly Underwood has been a teacher for 32 years and she loves her job. Underwood, who has had a difficult year, started to tear up as her daughter, Leah Underwood, approached the podium to stand next to her. “I’m a teacher and I’m thankful for it every day,” Underwood stated in closing.
-Student of the Year: Eliseo Wotring
“I didn’t come prepared, my apologies, but thank you for this award” Wotring stated. Wotring will be majoring in Psychology at Davis and Elkins College.
-Employee of the Year: DeeDee Summerfield
DeeDee Summerfield was humbled for this award. “Wow. This is just, wow!” she said, “It’s hard to believe. My heart is so full.” Summerfield has been employed at the Tucker County Health Department since 1988.
-Business Person of the Year: Jordan Fenner
Jordan Fenner is a 2012 TCHS graduate. He started mowing and washing cars at the funeral home and he is now owner of Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home. Fenner expressed his thanks, “Words don’t describe what this means to me. I am very grateful.”
-Community Service Award: Sam and Amy Goughnour
Sam and Amy Goughnour are both retired teachers from DTEMS. In the nomination letter it stated they were the Dynamic Duo of public service. Sam stated “We are honored but humbled. It’s a privilege to follow in the footsteps of the past recipients”.
-2021 Special Award-COVID19 Response Team
James Snyder from the Tucker County Health Department accepted this award. Snyder praised the teamwork. “I’m just a small part of something big and amazing.”
2020 Award Recipients
-Tuckineer: Saundra Goss
“I’m here to celebrate women. I have lived here my whole life and opened Sirianni’s 42 years ago. I was very surprised to get this award. Thank you all.”
-Educator of the Year: Melissa Tausher
“Children are the heart of Tucker County and I am honored to be standing next to Kelly Underwood. I want to help the children learn, change, and grow.” Tausher has taught Special Education and in 2018 started with gifted classes.
-Student of the Year: Class of 2020
The Class of 2020 went through ever-changing, unchartered waters their senior year. Bobbi Quatrro accepted the award on behalf of the Class of 2020.
-Employee of the Year: Amber Hinkle
Amber Hinkle is the manager at McDonald’s in Parsons. She strives to make employees successful. Amber addressed the audience, “Thank you to the Chamber for the award. I love serving my community.
-Business Person of the Year: Jon and Cindy Robeson
Jon and Cindy Robeson own Stumptown Ales in Davis, WV. The couple and locals refer to it as “The Cheers Bar”. Cindy stated “Thank you Chamber. We opened in 2015 and didn’t know what to expect. We have found friends and family here.”
-Community Service: Canaan Valley Public Service District
Bob Metzger, chairman, “We’ve made great progress and we’re still at.”
-Humanitarian and Friend: Amy Owens
Amy, “I really enjoyed all the years at Community Action and I’m looking forward to many more years.” Her nomination stated that Owens goes out of her way to help everybody.