Awards are not meant to only acknowledge a few, but to encourage all of us to continuously “reach for the stars.”  It is also a way for us to honor these two founding women and their families.  Without their hard work and all the others who came before us, our League might not exist.  It is also a way for us as a group to let our members know that their hard work was well done.

 The Betsy Matthews Garland Award

 Forty-two years ago, a group of eleven young women realized the need for trained volunteers in our community.  Many of them had volunteer experience through churches and other organizations and knew there was a need in our community to make better the lives of Gaston County’s women and children.  Thus, began the Junior Service League of Gaston County, now known as the Junior League of Gaston County.  Though our name has changed over the years, our mission has not.  Our first president was Betsy Matthews Garland.  Her energy, dedication, and love for our League and our community are why we have the Betsy Matthews Garland Award.  This award is given each year to a member who possesses the attributes that Betsy Garland had.  We realize that the fine work of these women is not achieved without the support and sacrifices of dedicated family members at home.  In recognition of this we also express our gratitude to the Garland family and all the families of the recipients of this award.  This award was first given at the 1998 Annual Dinner. The winners:

1998 – Lindsay Meakin

1999 – Josie Conner

2000 – Shelly Carter

2001 – Julie Heath

2002 – Leslie Wallace

2003 – Lindsay Lockett

2004 – Debbie Mauney

2005 – Ginger Rowe

2006 – LeeAnn Harris

2007 – Jaime Hawkins

2008 – Paula Stewart

2009 – Sonya Allen

2010 – Susie Tippett

2011 – Jeanna Marie Tiller

2012 – Angie Bloomfield

2013 – Lindsey Hageman

2014 – Amanda Batson-Lamb

2015 – Kara Rhyne

2016 – Elizabeth Smithers

2017 – Maya Feemster- Jones

2018 – Darcel Walker

The Lou Warren Fuller Spirit Award 

Since 2002, our League began to recognize another active member and her contributions with the Lou Warren Fuller Spirit Award.  Lou Fuller is one of the original eleven founders of the Junior League of Gaston County, Inc.  Throughout her active League career and her continued Sustainer membership, she tirelessly supported our League and all its’ endeavors.  In honor of her, we began recognizing those members without whose dedication and support many of our endeavors would not be possible.  These members are content to go above and beyond the call of duty, but not always in “spotlight” positions.  Their morale and constant smiles are the backbone of our League and keep us all going.

 2002 – Laura Newman

2003 – Becky Eggers

2004 – Sonya Holmes

2005 – Karen Brown

2006 – Annie Anthony

2007 – Kristie Bogle

2008 – Susan Jordan

2009 – Mary Catherine Grooms

2010 – Joyce Starke

2011 – Angie Bloomfield

2012 – Lauren Braxton

2013 – Dara Hartman

2014 – Sandra Rivas-Hall

2015 – Darcel Walker

2016 – Trish Goble

2017 –

2018 – Rachel Wildstein

President’s Award

This award was started by Rhonda McLean in 2002 to acknowledge the President’s appreciation to an outstanding volunteer for always going above and beyond her Placement.

 2002 -  Karen Brown

2003 - Tracy Roberts                                                              

2005 - LeeAnn Harris

2006 - Stacey Thompson

2007 – Kristie Smith

2008 – Christie Witten

2009 – Angie Bloomfield

2010 – Claire Wilson

2011 – Susie Tippett

2012 – Andrea Stephens

2013 – Amanda Batson-Lamb

2014 – Allison Watford

2015 – Kali Anderson

2016 – Allison Watford

2017 –

2018 – Stephanie Best

 Provisional of the Year Award

2002 – Stacy Messer

2003 – Heather Adcock

2004 – Penelope Stroupe

2005 – Jaime Hawkins

2006 – Teresa Dowell

2007 – Claire Wilson

2008 – Jena Jenkins

2009 – Brandi Apple

2010 – Lisa Craig

2011 – Lauren Henry (Fall Class)

2011 – Misty Amos (Spring Class)

2012 – Katie Gray Nelli (Fall Class)

2012 – Elizabeth McLean (Spring Class)

2013 – Margaret Beveridge

2014 – Darcel Walker

2015 – Celeste Thompson

2016 – Maya Feemster-Jones

2017 – Abby Looper

2018 – Maggie LeGrand

Sustainer of the Year Award 

The Sustainer of the Year Award was started by Heather Adcock in 2009 in honor of our 50th Anniversary.  To acknowledge a Sustainer that has gone above and beyond to inspire, promote and support the

Junior League of Gaston County.

 2009 – Barbara Voorhees

2010 – Nancy Lemke

2011 – Cheryl Black Loggins

2012 – Susie Tippett

2013 – Annemarie Couture

2014 – Nan Kirlin

2015 – Mary Catherine Walker

2016 – Jaime Friday & Kathleen Boyce

2017 – Cheryl Black Loggins

2018 – Cheryl Black Loggins