The West Virginia Jaycees held their Annual Convention and 2012 Awards Banquet on February 8-9, 2013 in Parkersburg. It was an exciting, fun-filled weekend of networking, training, and recognition for the efforts of each local chapter, officials said.

Boone County’s only chapter, the Madison-Danville Jaycees, was well represented with the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Presidents attending with several other members.

“In the past, the largest and stronger chapter in the state, the Ohio Valley Jaycees of Wheeling, always took home most of the awards. Our goal was to compete with them. If they won again, they would work for it.” said 2012 President Kris Richmond.

This year, change was in the air with Madison-Danville taking more than a dozen awards and nearly every major trophy available. The individual members collected their share of the prizes as well.

Of the Fourth Quarter certificates given, Barry Stowers, 2013 Vice President, won the Rising Star award and Samantha Mathis, 2013 Treasurer, was given the Spirit award. West Virginia Jaycee Officer of the Year went to Mackenzie Price, Madison-Danville Secretary and and Steve Franson, 2013 Vice President, was given the Gayle Montgomery Spirit Award.

Kris Richmond, 2012 President was State Recruiter of the Year while Sara Price, 2013 President, took home the Rising Star of the Year trophy. Three members were also given the Ridge Runner award for the most visits to other chapters. They were Stacie Franson, Steve Franson, and Samantha Mathis. Chuck Mitchell, 2011 President and 2013 State Vice President, was awarded a Presidential Medal for Special Services to the Jaycees.

The Jaycees have four primary areas of project focus: Individual Development where members are taught a new skill; Management which shows members how to manage projects and fundraising; Community Development projects focus on impacting the local community; and Membership Development to recruit new members and encourage existing members to be active.

For 2012, Madison-Danville won the annual awards in the categories of Individual Development Project, Management Development Project, and Membership Development Project. “Madison-Danville always offers interesting and unique projects….” said Jennifer Staley, 2012 West Virginia Jaycees President.

The biggest honors came at the end of the evening. Madison-Danville was first given the West Virginia Jaycees Traveling Gavel Trophy for visiting the most chapters.

The next award, West Virginia Jaycees Traveling Gavel for the chapter with the most growth, also went to Madison-Danville. This award is special because, once awarded, other chapters my visit an event or meeting to take The Gavel which was created to encourage chapters to visit one another.

The final and most significant trophy was the West Virginia Jaycees Hoblitzell Memorial Award. This beautiful cup is given to the chapter which best embodies the mission and goals of the Jaycees: the #1 chapter in West Virginia. After spending 10 years in Wheeling, the 2012 Madison-Danville Jaycees brought the Hoblitzell back to their clubhouse. Sara Price, 2013 President was thrilled with the multiple wins.

“The past two years have been strenuous trying to rebuild our chapter, so being recognized for our efforts is an incredible honor,” Sara Price said. “These awards aren’t only for the members of the Madison-Danville Jaycees; they are also for the citizens of Boone County. Without the county’s support, none of this would be possible.”

Although they have recently gone through a rebuilding phase, 2013 is the 25th Anniversary of the Madison-Danville Jaycees.

“Over the past two years, the chapter’s efforts have been focused on growth and rebuilding. Now we can finally start on our true mission: to train the future leaders of this county and state. Our great strides are shown by the awards we received this weekend,” Richmond added. “I could not be more proud of our amazing members and the wonderful community we serve.”