Retired Douglas County educator and very busy community volunteer Norma Stillings was presented the John N. Dickison Award last Saturday night by the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Dickison Award recognizes an individual who has given a lifetime of service to the Ava and Douglas County community.
Norma graduated from Ava High School as salutatorian of the class of 1955.
Her teaching career included 31 years as special education teacher at Ava High School, but also included a stint in a one-room rural school (Fielden) and five years at Norwood Elementary School.
During her career, Norma was a member and officer with the Community Teachers Association (CTA), served on the Career Ladder Implementation Committee, and provided after-school tutoring at the Ava Alternative School.
She was also an Adult Basic Education instructor and literacy coordinator in Ava while also caring for her aging parents until their deaths.
Currently, Norma is a member and secretary of the local Retired Teachers Association, treasurer of the Support the Handicapped Board, and treasurer for the Douglas County Community Health Assistance Resource Team (CHART).
She serves on the University of Missouri Extension Council and the Burdett Cemetery board. She is ombudsman for Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center and is a hospice volunteer.
She is a Sunday school teacher and pianist, organist and clerk at Bethany Baptist Church and is president of the Nubbin Ridge Homemakers Club.
The Will McFarlin Youth Award was presented to Ethan Potter, a student at Ava Victory Academy.
Ethan serves as the Chamber of Commerce student representative for Ava Victory Academy and takes an active part in monthly school service projects.
He participated in a 12-day missions trip to Nicaragua and also volunteers his Saturdays at Cox Hospital, assisting staff members and patients.
Ethan also volunteered during his summer vacation to care for Will McFarlin’s three children, two of whom have muscular dystrophy.
Ethan’s pastor, Buddy Boyd, of Ava Assembly of God Church, wrote: “Ethan sees the needs in other people’s lives that most people never recognize. Why? Because Ethan is looking to make a difference in this world.”
The Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Nancy Hawk, of Independent Copy Center.
Nancy is a current Chamber of Commerce member and past Chamber officer, and also serves as president of the board of the Douglas County Community Foundation.
She is a strong Chamber supporter, and is always available when there is work to be done.
Musical entertainment for the banquet was provided by the Ava Classical Music Group.
Various businesses and organizations “adopted” tables and decorated them in the banquet’s Masquerade theme. Table centerpieces, as well as other donated items, were then sold in a silent auction.
