WESSON — Numerous residents were recognized during the annualWesson Chamber of Commerce banquet Tuesday for showing outstandingleadership and devotion to the community.

The most anticipated award of the night, Good Citizen of theYear, went to a surprised Mike Hux for the countless hours hespends volunteering and working to make Wesson a better place.

Hux was shocked when Scott King, who played basketball under hisdirection years ago, began to describe his career as a coach, bankofficial and volunteer.

“This is a surprise. I do appreciate this,” said an emotionalHux, looking at family members who tricked him about why they wereattending the banquet at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s ThamesCenter.

As he presented the prestigious award, King explained how Huxhas helped restore several older homes in Wesson, served oncommittees at Sylvarena Baptist Church and assisted basketballteams at Wesson Attendance Center.

Hux is a 1963 graduate of Bogue Chitto High School. He alsoattended Co-Lin and received a bachelor’s degree in math educationfrom University of Southern Mississippi before becoming abasketball coach.

He coached at Co-Lin and was named the basketball coach of theyear in the Magnolia Conference in 1967 and 1973. King recalled thetype of impact Hux had on his players.

“He did not only coach us, but he took a bunch of 15-, 16- and17-year-olds, and taught us a lot of valuable lessons,” saidKing.

Hux later worked at Trustmark National Bank, where he retired in1998.

Other citizens recognized for their contributions to Wesson werePeter and Aline Chassion, owners of A & P Check Cashing, whichwas given the business of the year award. The business wasestablished in Wesson in 1995.

Bea Newman and the late Hiram Newman, who owned Hazlehurst MotorCompany for 56 years, were given the community service award fortheir generosity to their customers and people in need.

“They often brought people home who had no place to stay,” saidVicki Byrd, who presented the award. “Their generosity came fromthe heart.”

Another recipient of the community service award was BobbyBritt, who is a well-known economic developer in Wesson. He iscredited for building 27 homes and 15 apartments, developing mobilehomes lots and creating Precious Moments Daycare in Wesson, as wellas volunteering his time during construction of the new SylvarenaBaptist Church building.

Alton Ricks was another Wesson leader recognized during theannual banquet. He was given the ageless hero award for hiscountless activities in the community.

“If I had to list the criteria for this award, I could certainlyuse this man’s life as a model,” said Mayor Bill Tigner, whopresented the award.

Earning the president award was Dennis White, who has recordedWesson soccer games and worked with little league teams as a coach,umpire and caretaker.

The leadership award went to A.C. Currie for his involvement inseveral community and church activities, including the chamber ofcommerce, Keep Copiah County Beautiful, Team City and a businessowner.

Educators awards were given to Buddy Blailock, a vo-techinstructor at Co-Lin, and Carolyn Sanders, who has more than 28years experience as teacher, with the last 24 years being at WessonAttendance Center.

Members of Team City, the Founder’s Day Queen and the chamber’sofficers were also honored Tuesday for their commitment to thetown.