By Amanda Collins
The Patrick County High School Student Government Association (SGA) honored Glen and Leonard Wood and Joni Hunt.
Glen and Leonard Wood both received the 43rd Distinguished Patrick Countian award; the 25th outstanding service award was given to Hunt.
The individuals each were selected because they have been successful in their respective careers and have demonstrated exceptional character and service to their community.
Jon Wood, grandson of Glen Wood, detailed the history of Woods Brothers Racing. He said Leonard Wood built a go cart at the age of 13 out of materials like the washing machine motor he used to power it.
The Wood Brothers holds a Guinness World Record for the longest active NASCAR racing team. Glen Wood’s business savvy and determination combined with Leonard Wood’s creativity led to their success, Jon Wood said.
One was a saw miller, with a knack to drive cars fast; the other was blessed with the ability to think that none of us can even begin to comprehend, Jon Wood said. “They did it all while being good people, they always do what’s right,” he said.
Jon Wood said his message was to look at how Glen Wood and Leonard Wood prospered in life. “It wasn’t because they were born into a successful family. They were born with exceptional gifts,” he said.
To the graduating class, Jon Wood said “this is the time of your life when you make decisions that dictate where you go and what you do.”
Hunt has been the director of the Patrick County Food Bank for the last 10 years, working on the Empty Bowls event and several other local charities.
Hunt said she was “honored and humbled” to receive the award. She encouraged students to give back to their community by giving of their time and talents. “Find something you are concerned about, share your time. Time is valuable, you can never get your time back so don’t waste it.”
She also encouraged students to show kindness.
“Kindness is free. You never know what a person is going through,” Hunt said. “Their pain and struggles are real. Be kind. This time, good or bad, is a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things. Make the most of your time each day. Go out, be amazing, be the light. Don’t let the struggles of today keep you from the joys of tomorrow,” she said.
Hundreds of people attended the ceremony held on May 8.
