The Rotary Club of Americus hosted the Annual Sheffield Gala honoring the newest Sheffield awardees. The annual “black tie” affair was held on July 27 at the historic Wheatley Building on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University and featured live music, a cocktail social, silent auction and full course surf and turf dinner.

The Sheffield Leadership Award is presented annually to the District 6900 club presidents (from each of the club size categories) who best exemplify the extraordinary leadership traits represented by the Sheffield family and execute their responsibilities in an exceptional manner. Winners were chosen by Andre’ Marria, District Governor for 2023-24, and announced at the District Conference in Jekyll Island on Saturday, March 23, during the evening festivities. Following a welcome by Americus Club President Jay Anderson, Americus Rotarian and Assistant Governor Kenny Phillips provided a detailed history of the Sheffield Leadership Award.

This year’s winners - Amy Benton (Peachtree City), Lisa Gelber (North Fulton), Matt Jarrard (Vinings Cumberland), and Nancy Prochaska (North Cobb) - were recognized individually by PDG Andre’ Marria who described each recipient’s unique talents and their accomplishments during their year as president of their respective clubs, as well as their dedication and passion for their communities and the ideals of Rotary. PDG Bob Hagan served as emcee for the event which included the inducted of the newest class of winners into the Sheffield Leadership Society, presenting them with their pin ribbons. Two Sheffield Award winners from 2022-23, Michelle Hanchey and Terry Taylor, who were unable to attend the gala honoring them last year, were in attendance and were recognized as well.

In addition to the silent auction, PDG Hagan led a live auction of a wooden gavel, made from the Rotary Oaks planted by Paul Harris and the Tuskegee Rotary Club and donated by PDG Steve Stanfield. The gavel was won by Terry Taylor with proceeds to benefit the Rotary Foundation. Emily Sheffield Hollingsworth attends the gala as a special guest. She is married to Rotarian Lee Hollingsworth of the Roswell Club but is a native of Americus and considers it her home. She gave a touching recollection of growing up in Rotary and attending numerous events with her father Langdon “Lang” Sheffield. Over 20 past Sheffield Award recipients were in attendance, along with numerous other guests, including PDGs Cheryl Greenway, Bob Hagan, and Andre’ Marria, and District Governor Nominee Cynthia Edwards.

The Sheffield Leadership Award, established in 1994, is awarded by the District Governor of 6900 and presented by the Rotary Club of Americus in honor of three Past District Governors, all from the same family and from the Americus Rotary Club. It honors John West Sheffield (District 30, 1926-27), John W. Sheffield (District 690, 1961-62), and Langdon Sheffield (District 690, 1975-76), who have each served this Rotary District as District Governors.