News
Awarded by Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM) to honor those individuals who have exemplified missional ministry in Appalachia
Beverly Miller 1997
Diane Witherspoon 1998
Ben Poage 1999
Betsy Smith 2000
Marshall Fraley 2001
Gladys Nave 2002
Irene Thomsburg 2003
Homer Hecht 2004
Nina Poage 2005
C.H. Dudley 2006
Joan Schlesing 2008
Blake Robinson 2009
Karla Corbin 2009
Ed McCurley 2010
David S. Schuller was a consultant, advisor, and friend to AMERC. Each year his wife, Mrs. Modelle L. Schuller joins with AMERC to celebrate and remember David’s life and work. The Schuller Spirit of AMERC Award goes to the mentor or Appalachian resident who has most impacted the lives of our AMERC students. Diane Witherspoon 1998
Ben Poage 1999
Betsy Smith 2000
Marshall Fraley 2001
Gladys Nave 2002
Irene Thomsburg 2003
Homer Hecht 2004
Nina Poage 2005
C.H. Dudley 2006
Joan Schlesing 2008
Blake Robinson 2009
Karla Corbin 2009
Ed McCurley 2010
Ewell Arrowsmith
Ewell Arrowsmith was a third generation farmer who lived in Bethel, Kentucky in the foothills of Appalachia. He was an elder in the Bethel Christian Church, Sunday school teacher, and a prophet to all who heard him. It seems appropriate that we open the KAM News section of our new website with a quote from Mr. Arrowsmith describing the land he loved and what it meant to be an Appalachian farmer. His words were spoken and written down by a student who was present:
It must be an inheritance
To love the feel of the soil under your feet,
To be pleased with your life.
It must be an inheritance
To grow out of the land like a plant,
To have roots buried deep,
To live your work.
It must be an inheritance
To think you are rich
When the world thinks you are poor,
To be able to grow what you want
And to want what you can grow.
It must be an inheritance
To fertilize your land with your shadow
And to know it is the best fertilizer you can use,
To see your shadow on your land
And to feel your land in your soul.
It must be an inheritance.
To love the feel of the soil under your feet,
To be pleased with your life.
It must be an inheritance
To grow out of the land like a plant,
To have roots buried deep,
To live your work.
It must be an inheritance
To think you are rich
When the world thinks you are poor,
To be able to grow what you want
And to want what you can grow.
It must be an inheritance
To fertilize your land with your shadow
And to know it is the best fertilizer you can use,
To see your shadow on your land
And to feel your land in your soul.
It must be an inheritance.
May each of us love and care for the inheritance God has given us regardless of where we live.
The David S. Schuller Spirit of AMERC Award
2002-2003
Sister Bernie Kenny
Sister Kenny is of the Medical Missionaries of Mary and is a certified nurse practitioner who has been promoting preventive medicine and care for the sick in the Appalachian Mountains for over 20 years.
2003-2004
Ms. Eula Hall
Eula is the founder of the Mud Creek Clinic near Grethel, Kentucky. Eula is an activist for the poor and pioneer in Kentucky health care.
2004-2005
Mr. Ben Poage
Ben Poage has spent most of his life working and ministering in Appalachia. He has worked in economic development, the Presbyterian Hunger program, and was a middle judicatory executive for the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Ben is the past Director of AMERC and a long time AMERC mentor.
2005-2006
Sister Mary Herr
Sister Herr has spent most of her adult life working among the Cherokee People in Appalachia and helps organize and mentor an outstanding class on Cherokee spirituality for AMERC.
2006-2007
Ms. Irene Thornburg and Mr. Brooks Vice
Irene and Brooks own family farms in Bath County, Kentucky. They are master farmers and long time organizers on behalf of small family farms. They have opened their farms, church, and homes to students for over 30 years.
2007-2008
Mr. Ray Slone
Ray was a musician, craftsman, and master teacher. He was retired from the Knott County school system where he taught math. He played the fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin. One of the last banjo lessons he gave, before his death, was to an AMERC student. Ray is deeply loved and missed.
2008-2009
Mr. Ben Begley
Ben is the Naturalist at Pine Mountain Settlement School in Eastern Kentucky. Ben’s knowledge of plants and geography is combined with wonderful humor and energy to make him a favorite of students of all ages.
2009-2010
Ms. Polly Cheek
Polly has been a mentor of Wake Forest’s “Fierce Landscapes” class for many years. She lives and minister in Appalachia.
2010-2011
Ms. Renee Alexander
Renee is the Director of West Care, Irvine, Kentucky. She gives sacrificially to her work and ministry with those addicted to drugs and alcohol. She is also an outstanding teacher and advocate for better treatment for chemical addiction in Appalachia.