EXCEL Honors

Women In Worship (WIW) Ministries 2019 “EXCEL” Honors celebrated 15 women and 10 girls last week at its Awards Luncheon at Germanna’s Daniel Center in Culpeper. The Event was co-hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association of Rixeyville.

Local recipients recognized for outstanding achievement in their areas of work and/or expertise included: Cheri Woodard, Multi-Industry Honoree, Sperryville; Janice Carpenter, Community Outreach Honoree, Madison; and from Culpeper Adriana Bustamante, Youth Development Honoree; Regina Toliver Farr, Education Administration Honoree; Dr. Hortense Hinton-Jackson, Leadership Honoree; Veronica Myers, Education-Special Needs Honoree; Janette Smith, Music/Vocalist Honoree; and Ruth Young, Community Service Honoree..

Ten girls were recognized as “GEN NEXT,” achieving an A, A/B, or B grade point average throughout high school and have already achieved excellence in high school, college or early careers. Locally, they include Destini Ruffner of Reva, and from Culpeper Daejah Herndon-Williams, Micah Lee, Aasiya Slaugher, and Gabrielle Porter-Wilson.

Women Ministers of Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association also gave Special Recognition to Rev. Cleo Frye, Min. Jesse Hill (posthumously), Rev. J. Marie Miller, Rev. Tracy Slaughter, and Min. Tammy Smith for being the first 5 women members of the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Union of Wayland Blue Ridge who “broke the glass ceiling” in 2004 in the 130-year-old organization.

COURTESY PHOTO Group photo of EXCEL honorees in attendance include (from left) Min. Tammie Smith, Diamond Giles, Terri Miller, Destini Ruffner, Rev. J. Marie Miller, Brianna Tinsley, Evg. Tracy Slaughter, Regina Farr, Janice Williams, Ruth W. Young (seated), Janice Carpenter, Deajah HerndonWilliams, Veronica Myers, Camille Giles, Janette Smith, Rev. Cleo Frye.