Jaycees honor several community members for service
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on May 13, 2008 2:15 PM
Tasha Logan thought she was walking into the First Baptist Church Monday night as a supporter.
She believed Paramount Director Sherry Archibald would be recognized at the Goldsboro Jaycees 68th annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet and that Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. Director Julie Thompson was there to do the same thing she was -- congratulate a friend.
But as the program went on, and awards were given out, Sponsor Joshua McCullen of Jersey Mike's Subs stood at the podium and told the crowd that the last and most prestigious award of the night -- the Distinguished Service Award -- was a surprise, and that when he started describing the recipient, everyone's mind would click.
When he said three words -- assistant city manager -- there was no doubt who was receiving this year's award.
Ms. Logan dropped and shook her head and laughed.
McCullen continued to go down the list of her accomplishments -- the historic City Hall renovation and the designing of the new Community Recreation Center to name a few -- and her bowed head just continued to shake back and forth.
"I don't know how you get it all done," McCullen said.
Ms. Logan's focus was on the person she knew had put her up for the award.
"I'm going to kick Julie when I get back to the table," she joked.
Even after the shock wore off, she was still humbled.
"This is truly an honor for me," she said.
She spoke of a leadership conference she recently attended during which attendees were told that leadership has a lot to do with "personal convictions and a desire to give back."
"They told us to never take yourself too seriously," she said.
The award, she said, meant much to her, and she vowed to continue to be a positive force in the community.
Keynote speaker Geoff Hulse focused his speech on the same topic -- the importance of community leadership.
"I can't think of anything more important than being a member of your community. ... Volunteering makes you feel good. It makes you feel happy," he said.
It doesn't take endless hours to help others, he added.
"You have to make time. You can be involved in a couple of things in your spare time," he said. "Community service will bring joy to Wayne County and more importantly joy to your heart."
The night was also a time for celebration for a few other service-oriented individuals.
Trevoria LaChelle Jackson received the Jaycees' Outstanding Teenager Award for being a leader in her school and in her community.
"It was a big surprise," the Goldsboro High School senior said of the award.
The Outstanding Young Educator Award went to Amy Janning, a fifth-grade math teacher at Spring Creek Elementary School. Don Best received the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award for his work with the American Red Cross, and William Bland received the Outstanding Young Employer Award for giving his employees the flexibility to follow their dreams and to serve their community.
Goldsboro Jaycees President Tracy McEver said she was very happy with all of the award recipients this year, but she added that the event wouldn't have been possible without sponsors Academics Plus Inc., the Pines of Goldsboro, Jersey Mike's Subs and Pittman Business Solutions.