Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993 TAG: 9304290342
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The honorees were individuals who demonstrated commitment to their profession and/or community and have leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills. They were nominated by others in the community.
Helen Chewning Fitzpatrick received Distinguished Citizen for men or women over the age of 39. A former Mother of the Year, past president of Church Women United and a volunteer at the first halfway house in Roanoke, Fitzpatrick also helped her husband run a "honor court" for alcoholics.
She has served on the boards of directors for several community organizations and is secretary of the Christian Mission Foundation.
W. Hope Player (not pictured) was named Outstanding Young Woman between the ages of 18 and 39. She is a self-employed certified public accountant and has worked with the Small Business Council of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Governor's Conference on Small Business, and helped establish "Business After Hours."
She also has served or is serving on the boards of the Women's Center at Hollins College, the Voice of the Blue Ridge and the Miss Virginia Pageant.
Ray T. Lewis Jr. received the Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer award. He is a school resource officer for the Roanoke Police Department. He was the first officer of the Roanoke Police Department to implement the D.A.R.E. drug-education middle-school program and also works as a counselor at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.
John E. Beach was named Outstanding Young Rescue Squad Member. He is assistant treasurer of the Salem Rescue Squad and assistant director of physical plant at Virginia Tech. He has held several offices and leadership roles with the squad and is certified as an emergency medical technician instructor.
Lt. Jeffrey W. Beckner was named Outstanding Young Firefighter. A member of the Roanoke Fire Department since 1986, he is active in the Roanoke Firefighters' Association, the Southwest Virginia Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team and the Virginia State Association of Hazardous Materials Responders.
He was director and head instructor for the 1992 Roanoke Fire Academy and also is a certified fire instructor for the state of Virginia.
Mark S. Lawrence received the Outstanding Young Man award. He is governmental affairs manager for Appalachian Power Co. He was named Outstanding Young Virginian in 1990 and Outstanding Young Man in America.
He has served or is serving on the board of the Roanoke Jaycees, the Virginia Jaycees Foundation, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia, Total Action Against Poverty, the American Cancer Society and the Virginia Museum of Transportation. He also helped organize the 1992 Virginia Commonwealth Games business support group.
Deanna S. Cochran, a Roanoke teacher, was named Outstanding Young Educator. She is a learning-disability teacher and started a program for students with specific learning disabilities at Westside Elementary School. She also has conducted workshops for school systems and developed programs for children with learning disabilities and their teachers.
by CNB