By Wade Warren

SDN Managing Editor

The Snyder community honored its own Wednesday during the annual chamber of commerce recognition banquet.

The traditional awards were presented and several new ones also were unveiled.

Past president of the chamber, Mike Thornton, received the Chamber’s Choice Award, the ninth year the award has been presented. It is given to a volunteer who goes above the call of duty in assisting the chamber in various ways.

Thornton is dean of continuing education at Western Texas College.

Kent Wright was awarded the Sizemore Award, presented each year to the Goldcoat member who accumulates the most points. Wright is the owner of Wright Colonial Funeral Home.

This award was formerly known as the Goldcoat Award, but was renamed in 1984 in honor of the late Paul Sizemore, a longtime civic leader.

Fran Farmer, president of First American Bank and founder of Farmer’s Design Group, received the Vestal Award.

Also known as the Mayor’s Award, it is presented annually to a citizen who has made a significant contribution to the total development of the community through cultural, economic or governmental activities.

Steve Moore received the Winston Award that recognizes achievement in agriculture in Scurry County. Moore farms in the southeastern part of the county and also in Mitchell and Nolan counties.

The Education Excellence Award was presented to Mike Holmes, a former Snyder Junior High School instructor who retired last December.

The McLaughlin Award, presented to an individual or company making a significant contribution to the oil industry Scurry County, was presented to Kinder Morgan Company.

The company is in the midst of a multi-million dollar CO2 project at SACROC that is extending the life of the Kelly-Snyder field. Production superintendent Pete Hagist accepted the award for Kinder Morgan.

Three new presentations were made last night including the WTC Exceptional Service Award, the Sparkle City Award, and the Donna Fowler Memorial Scholarship.

Dr. Greg Williams, WTC president, presented the award to Dr. Ed Barkowsky, professor of English.

Prior to recognizing Dr. Barkowsky, Dr. Williams also recognized the WTC board and announced that the college’s award would be named after Dr. Barkowsky.

Long-time Snyder businessman and civic leader Bob McCormick was awarded the initial Sparkle City Award for his efforts in the recent push to eliminate unsightly areas in and around Snyder.

McCormick was mayor when Snyder was awarded the Sparkle City designation in 1969.

This award will continue to be presented to individuals or businesses that make major contributions to the beautification of the community.

The recipient of the Donna Fowler Memorial Scholarship Award was Snyder High senior Kelsi Johnson. The scholarship is for $2,000 at Western Texas College.

Dayton Robertson served as master of ceremonies at which Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight was the featured speaker.