Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) held its annual Gala over the weekend and presented numerous awards recognizing those working across Appalachia Kentucky to create a brighter future.
More than 260 nominations from 42 of Kentucky’s 54 Appalachian counties culminated in 14 individuals and organizations being recognized at the awards ceremony.
Award Winners
- Hal Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Rajant Corporation: Robert “Mike” Duncan | Martin County
- Business Person of the Year Presented by Community Trust Bank: Tim Robinson | Addiction Recovery Care
- Appalachian Leadership Award Presented by Creative Media of Kentucky and Casebolt Marketing: Dr. Burton J. Webb | University of Pikeville
- Appalachian Humanitarian Award Presented by Volunteers of America Mid-States: Tess and Barb Lipps | Axis Coffee and Gathering Place
- City of the Year Award Presented by MakeMyMove: City of Ashland
- County of the Year Award Presented by MakeMyMove: Jackson County
- Connect Appalachia Award Presented By Gearheart Communications, Inc.: Red Bird Mission Broadband Action Team
- Healthy Communities Award Presented by Kentucky Department for Public Health: AVA Center (Appalachian Valley Autism Center) at Pikeville Medical Center
- Downtown of the Year Award Presented by SOAR: City of Somerset
- Tourism Organization of the Year Award Presented by Qk4: Appalachian Triangle
- Startup of the Year Award Presented by KY Innovation: BlackBox Energy Systems | Bath County
- Appalachian Recovery Award Presented by Operation UNITE: Beacons of Hope at Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky
- Appalachian Student of the Year Award Presented By KCTCS: Olivia Johnson | Middlesboro High School
- Appalachian Teacher of the Year Award Presented By KCTCS: Allison Slone | Rowan County High School
Photos from the event can be found on SOAR’s Facebook photo album.
Videos from the event can be found on SOAR’s YouTube playlist.
To watch the full event live stream, click here.
For more information about SOAR, visit soar-ky.org.
