HAZARD – Several current and former Perry County residents were recognized for their community efforts Friday evening at the 57th Annual Hazard-Perry County Civic Night.

In addition to the annual awards given each year, several special awards were also presented by Hazard Mayor Bill Gorman and Perry County Judge-Executive Denny Ray Noble following a guest address from U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers who made his third appearance at Civic Night.

State Rep. Fitz Steele and state Sen. Brandon Smith were recognized, as were Hospice Director Monica Couch, Mayor Gorman, and Congressman Rogers. In addition, Hazard-Perry County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Whitaker was presented with the HCTC Advancement Award.

Each year, six awards are presented to individuals who work to make a positive difference in the local community. Jordan Dean, an eighth grader at A.B. Combs Elementary was named Youth of the Year. Dean is captain of his school’s academic team, and is also active with his church’s drama team as well. He is the son of Trish and Gus Dean.

Hazard High School senior Scott Varney was honored with the Teen of the Year award. Varney, who is currently undertaking two concurrent community service projects in Hazard including a high school recycling program, also helped organized the first Congressional Debate team at his school. Outside of school, Varney has worked to raise funds for the child abuse center and the American Red Cross, and helped with the organization of aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The Young Woman of the Year honors were given to Rhonda Brewer. Brewer, who works as the territory sales manager for Pepsi Bottling Group, has remained active in the community, working with the Hazard-Perry County Housing Authority, the local CHICK organization, and the local cancer coalition as well as working on events including Summer in the Park and the annual Hazard Christmas parade. She has also served on the Black Gold Committee, Relay for Life committee, and Christmas for Charity, and aided in the Halfway to Hazard charity ride last fall.

Joshua Holland was named the Young Man of the Year. Holland, the assistant pastor of children and youth at First Baptist Church of Hazard, is a native of Knott County but has worked to serve the Perry County community in the past year. A graduate of Campbellsville University, Holland served as a camp counselor for Twin Rocks Bible Camp and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Camp. He was also recently recruited by District Judge Leigh Anne Stephens to help lead a motivational camp for troubled juveniles, and has most recently delivered a motivational speech to students at Roy G. Eversole Middle school in preparation for the CATS test.

The Woman of the Year honors went to Terry Feltner, who has worked at the Hazard ARH medical center for the past 21 years. Feltner’s community service includes 27 years as president of the Black Gold Committee, where she has been a member since 1980. She also worked on last year’s Halfway to Hazard charity ride, served as chair of the advisory council for Hazard Community and Technical College’s Greater Hazard Area Performing Arts Series, and served on the development board of ARH. She has also coordinated Derby Balls, captained Relay for Life and March of Dimes teams, and is a member of the Downtown Renaissance Committee among other things.

Finally, the Man of the Year award was presented to ARH President and CEO Jerry Haynes. A native of the Lothair community of Hazard, Haynes has spent three decades in the medical field with the not-for-profit ARH healthcare system. Professionally, Haynes has served ARH at the Hazard systems center as well as hospitals in Hazard, Whitesburg, McDowell, and Beckley. He was named the president and CEO of the entire ARH system in 2005. His community service includes work with the Hazard Lions Club, Hazard-Perry County Jaycees, the Special Olympics, and as a volunteer coach for the Hazard High School football team.