The Paden City Alumni Association is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award is Roy E. Huffman, Class of 1961.

A reception in his honor will be held July 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the main hall of Paden City High School. The reception is part of a full slate of events for the annual PCHS Alumni Weekend and precedes the annual Green and White Banquet. The banquet begins at 6 p.m. in the newly named Jesse Brown Hall. Tickets for the banquet can be purchased at WesBanco-Paden City. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshment of punch and cookies will be served.

After graduating from PCHS in 1961, Huffman entered Marshall University. Upon completing his collegiate education, he began a long and prosperous career with IBM, holding several positions in different cities throughout the United States. Throughout his life and into retirement, Huffman continues his many humanitarian endeavors and has always remembered his high school alma mater and hometown. A resident of Zelienople, Pa., Huffman is involved in Habitat for Humanity and serves on various local government and non-profit boards of directors and has held public office. A complete biography will appear in next week’s Alumni Tab.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually to graduates of PCHS who have excelled in their professional, personal, and/or humanitarian efforts and carry with them the values learned from Paden City’s schools. The committee accepts nominations through April 30 of each year and a determination of the winner is made in May.

The committee is considering modifying the award to recognize alumni who have made a difference outside of Paden City and also for those who have stayed close to home and made a significant impact on the local area. A spokesman noted, “We want to recognize those who have gone beyond the borders of Paden City and West Virginia and achieved great accomplishments and we also want to award those who stay right here and made a difference in the lives of people in Paden City and West Virginia and keep the home fires burning too. Great things happen right here and it takes great people to make them happen. Both types of achievers need to be recognized and rewarded and we want to do that.”

The theme of the 2014 PCHS Alumni Weekend is Paws to Remember. The Alumni Association and its officers invite everyone to take part in the all the events scheduled which include a memorial service on July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at PCHS, the alumni volleyball and basketball games beginning at 5 p.m. on July 4, the golf tournament on July 5 at Sistersville Country Club, the alumni parade through town on July 5 at 1 p.m., the DAA reception and Green and White Banquet Saturday afternoon and evening.

Plans are in the making for alumni dance at the Barker Memorial Building following the banquet. The Wildcat Boosters will holding their second annual Night at the Races on July 4 in the Barker Building. This is a great fund raiser for the Boosters who have a tremendous history of support for Paden City schools. This event is also another great opportunity for alumni to gather for class parties and support a good cause at the same time.

Lastly, the Paden City Museum will offer special hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for alumni, friends, and all visitors to stop in and look at the wonderful displays depicting the history of Paden City schools, the town, and the surrounding area, and give all some time to Paws to Remember.