BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Monday night the Greater Montgomery YMCA held a virtual ZOOM event to announce the overall winner for YMCA Man of the Year. Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham took the honor, but all of the 14 nominees from various area YMCA programs were recognized and honored.
You can watch the virtual event by clicking https://ymcamontgomery.org/locations/britton-ymca/moty/
Sheriff Cunningham spoke during the ZOOM meeting, saying he was greatly humbled. Cunningham has served as Sheriff since 2015.
“Wow, I guess that is the first thing that comes to mind. When I can say that someone actually got something on me this time…normally I know just about everything that is taking place. I am shocked. Being nominated as Man of the Year for the Y means a lot. I am really moved because this means a lot,” Sheriff Cunninham said.
He thanked his family and church for standing behind him and always supporting him. He said he is blessed to have his family, his faith and friends that support him.
“God bless Montgomery and God bless you all and God bless the YMCA. We are changing things and changing lives,” Cunningham said.
The program also highlighted previous winners over the past 69 years the event has been held.
The program was led and organized by a group of youth within the YMCA Youth Leadership program, operating through the Britton YMCA.
While historically referred to as the Man of the Year program, the name will officially change in 2021 to the YMCA Person of the Year. Past honorees have included women as well as men.
The Guest Speaker for the event was Justin Castanza, the YMCA Man of the Year for 2019.
Bill Myers, Executive Director of the Grandview Family YMCA of Millbrook, said that each YMCA chooses its own Man or Woman of the year, and then all candidates are interviewed by the students. From there the students choose the overall winner. But each candidate is chosen through criteria.
Criteria considered in selection:
1. Exceptional service to youth
2. YMCA Board Work/Committee Work
3. Originality of Service
4. Professional Leadership
5. Church Leadership
The 14 Nominees were also selected as the Man or Woman of the Year for the program they represent:
Madeline Gilchrist nominated by the Bell Road YMCA
Michael Gay nominated by YMCA Camp Grandview
Leslie Sanders nominated by YMCA Camp Chandler
Travis Hughes nominated by the Soccer Y
Connie Dacus nominated by Cleveland Ave YMCA
Kendall Dunson nominated by Kershaw YMCA
Nancy Dennis nominated by Saint James School Government Club
Allison Chandler nominated by Montgomery Academy Government Club
Sheriff Derrick Cunningham nominated by YMCA Achievers
Mayor Steven Reed nominated by Jefferson Davis High School Government Club
Beverly Hill nominated by the Midtown YMCA
Jay Wolf nominated by Montgomery Catholic
Commissioner Doug Singleton nominated by YMCA Youth Sports
Lisa Harden nominated by BTW
Hayley White is the Program Director at Britton YMCA, and said the students worked very hard on this project.
It was extremely well done and considering these times with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the safest way to celebrate the annual event, she said.
All of the meetings to prepare and the interviews with candidates were held through ZOOM meetings, offering a new and unique challenge. But organizers said it flowed as smoothy as could have been expected. The hope that is by next year, the event will again be a large banquet with nominees invited in person.
If we look to the youth that were involved in the production of this event, there is a great take away to be found. Regardless of limitations, challenges or situations, hard work and creativity will rise to the top. Thank you to everyone who played a role in allowing this annual event to continue, even if under unusual circumstances. In the end, the goals were met. Area individuals were recognized for their amazing work and dedication to the YMCA programs in our area.
The Elmore/Autauga News would like to congratulate Sheriff Cunningham, and ALL of the nominees for their dedication to the YMCA program and the youth of our communities.
Please visit the link listed above to view the entire program.
