Community Service Award 2016

“We’re gathered here tonight to celebrate 108 years of civic and service opportunities,” said Sewanee Civic Association (SCA) President Kiki Beavers, welcoming members and guests to the April 20 dinner meeting held at the EQB House. In keeping with a tradition which began in 1983, the SCA presented the 33rd annual Community Service Awards, this year honoring Mickey Suarez and the GSA Allies represented by Allie Faxon.
The names of the awardees are kept secret until the evening of the ceremony. A surprised Suarez stepped up to the microphone, thinking he had been invited to the meeting to give a presentation on Housing Sewanee, one of the many community service projects to which Suarez lends his time and energy.
“Mickey Suarez and his wife, Rachel, have lived in Sewanee just over 10 years, but in that short time Mickey has probably logged more volunteer hours than anyone on the mountain,” said Beavers, reading from Mickey’s nomination.
“Mickey has spent countless hours cooking and washing dishes at the Senior Citizens’ Center, building ramps at homes for the elderly on fixed incomes, repairing everything and anything that needs work on Otey’s campus, and organizing and constructing Housing Sewanee homes for local residents living in substandard situations. The list goes on and on. Mickey Suarez is the definition of a selfless servant.”
The GSA Allies were honored for their support of the Gay Straight Alliance, a new student club at Franklin County High School. “In January of 2016 a courageous group of students formed the GSA Club to offer students a safe space where they could be themselves and express themselves freely,” Beavers explained, giving a history of the GSA. Allie Faxon, a Franklin County High School junior, was an early member of the club. When the club came under attack, community members were joined by GSA supporters throughout the country and the world, who donated time and money and sent much-needed letters of support. “The GSA Allies are saying no to bullying, intimidation and discrimination,” Beavers said. “This award is presented to club member Allie Faxon on behalf of GSA Allies everywhere.”