Pioneer of the Year

Celebrating Our Pioneers: Past and Present

The Lake Wales History Museum proudly opens nominations for the 2024 Pioneer of the Year Award, a prestigious honor celebrating the unsung heroes of Lake Wales. This award acknowledges individuals who have dedicated over fifty years to enhancing our community through their service, passion, and commitment. We invite residents to nominate those whose contributions have profoundly shaped Lake Wales, making it a better place for all. Join us in recognizing and celebrating these remarkable community members at the Pioneer Days Festival, where their lifelong contributions will be honored.

Past Recipients

Since 1978, the Pioneer of the Year award has been bestowed upon individuals whose efforts and engagements have significantly influenced the growth and development of Lake Wales. Selected through a highly confidential process, each recipient is celebrated for their enduring impact and commitment to civic pursuits that have helped shape our community. This honor rolls out a lineage of pioneers who have not only witnessed but actively contributed to the transformation of Lake Wales into the vibrant community it is today.

1978: Morris Jones
1979: Janyce Ahl
1980: Bessie Snyder
1981: R.L. Johnson
1982: W.D. Crews
1983: Kenneth Rhodes
1984: Sam Keen
1985: Henry F. and Douglas Bullard
1986: Myra Curtis Chandley
1987: Marie Kirch
1988: Mr. and Mrs. H.G. McClendon
1989: Juanita Wetmore
1990: Mada Fraser Babcock
1991: Jeresa Austin
1992: Lee Roy Horton

1993: Margaret Smith
1994: Tom Campbell
1995: Thalia Johnson and Stapleton Gooch
1996: Mildred Kingsbury
1997: Roger Cain
1998: Mary L. Zipprer
1999: Ola Belle Tillman
2000: Robert E. Lasseter, Jr.
2001: Constance Van Hook
2002: Vita Hinshaw
2003: George Whitehurst and Martha White
2004: George Edwin Albritton & Mollie Albritton
Cooper
2005: Frank Hunt
2006: Hazel Mary Grace Alexander
2007: Horace Herndon

2008: Joe Martin
2009: William M. Hardman
2010: The Jahna Family
2011: G. Ellis Hunt
2012: Edwin Friedlander
2013: Clinton Horne
2014: Jim Maggard
2015: Linda Kimbrough
2016: Mimi Reid Hardman
2017: Marilyn Newell
2018: William “Bill” Johnson
2019: Milford Myhre
2020: No Festival due to COVID-19
2021: Gladys Howell
2022: Victor B. Story, Jr.
2023: Bill Redmon

Pioneer of the Year Nomination

To nominate a deserving individual for the Pioneer of the Year award, please complete the nomination form in the link below. For additional clarity and guidance on the nomination process, pleasw view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. Here, you'll find answers to common queries regarding eligibility criteria, nomination procedures, and the selection process, ensuring your nomination is as impactful as possible. Join us in celebrating the extraordinary people who have shaped our community’s legacy.

FAQ

  • In order to be nominated as a Lake Wales Pioneer of the Year the nominee must:

    • Be a person residing in Lake Wales for more than 50 years;

    • Made significant contributions to Lake Wales; and,

    • Whose service to the quality of life and community of lake Wales is outstanding.

  • Anyone with familiarity and personal knowledge of the potential nominee’s pioneering contributions may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted. The following materials are required:

    • Nomination Form

    • Nomination Narrative (see specific outline and guidance below); and,

    • At least three high high-resolution images of the nominee.

  • The narrative should be up to 500 words and must be submitted in a specific format containing four sections. Narratives not conforming to the format will not be considered.

    • Specific Pioneering Contributions to Lake Wales

    • Career Highlights

    • Biographical Information

    • Significant Recognition and Awards

    • Specific Pioneering Contributions to Lake Wales

      • This section must make the case for why the nominee's career and contribution merit being considered as a Lake Wales Pioneer of the Year. This is the key section of the nomination. It must provide a clear and detailed picture of the nominee’s pioneering contributions and their results.

    • Career Highlights

      • Provide an overview description of the nominee’s positions held and other accomplishments not mentioned in their Pioneering Contributions to Lake Wales. Include information about the type of organization (e.g., public, voluntary, for-profit), work setting, field of practice (e.g., education, professional business, community organization), and scope (e.g., local, state, national, international) of the positions held.

    • Biographical Information

      • Provide information (to the extent known) such as birth date and place, family, formal education, religion (if relevant), military service (if relevant) and other pertinent information, including human interest details if known that round out a picture of the nominee.

    • Significant Recognition and Awards

      • Describe any public/professional recognition and awards the nominee has received.

  • Yes, please provide at least three high-resolution photographs (formal or informal) of the nominee. If selected, the picture are used for the Pioneer’s press release and all relevant marketing materials.

  • The deadline for submission is Tuesday, September 10 at 5:00 PM. Only complete nominations will be considered.

  • The recipient of the 2024 Pioneer of the Year award will be announced in late September/early October.

  • The recipient will be presented with the award during the 48th Annual Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Hour ceremony on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM.