The Region 25 Ark Angel Distinguished Service Award was established by the Regional Board of Directors in 1993 when the Ark Angels quartet retired after twenty-five years of award winning performances and dedicated musical and administrative service to their Regions (10 and then 25). With Peggy (Barnes) Gram on bass, Polly Sullivan, baritone, Kelly Causey as lead, and Milana Dennis singing tenor, the quartet finished their run, bowing out as 1992 Region 25 Champions. Other Ark Angel alumnae are tenor Janet (Lammers) Charles and leads Peggy Hudson, Debbie (McGee) Borkowski, Linda Hardy, Charlotte Hathcote, Joanne Weiss, Grace Rife, and Billie Young.
The award recognizes those who have a history of outstanding musical and/or administrative leadership and who continue to selflessly serve Region 25 in some notable way. The first award, presented in 1994, recognized Dale Syverson, long-time Ark Angel coach and regional servant-leader! Many notable Region 25 servants have followed.
Per the Regional Board’s instructions at the award’s inception, final selection is made each year by the remaining active Sweet Adeline Angels: Peggy Gram, Kelly Causey, and Milana Dennis. The coveted award is presented each year during the Regional Contest weekend by the previous year’s recipient.
Ark Angel Distinguished Service Award Winners
Kelli Hinton
2023
Brandy Darrow
2022
Lindsay Chartier-Holdeman
2021
Courtney Robinson
2020
Karen Phillips
2019
Ruth Ann Parker
2018
Melynnie Williams
2017
Donna Smith
2016
Sharon Hammer
2015
Val Clark
2014
Linda Edmondson
2013
Connie Light
2012
Elizabeth Brite
2011
Sharon Hightower
2010
Mary Rhea
2009
Nancy Nortz
2008
Joni Bescos
2007
Annette Gary
2005
Gwen Smith
2004
Ann Berg
2003
Pam Lauffer
2002
Marva Hughes
2001
Jim Massey
2000
Judy Winters
1999
Darlene Rogers
1998
Marilyn Dickey
1997
DJ Hensley
1996
Marcia Massey
1995
Dale Syverson
1994