On Monday night, the nominees for the 2000 Achiever Award were announced during a gathering at the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. These 21 young people were selected from the senior classes of the five high schools in Butler County by their principals, headmasters or athletic directors.

The award, which is co-sponsored by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA, is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in the pursuit of athletics, academics, church and community service. Following these nominations, a panel of out-of-town judges will select one female and one male student athlete from the area

to receive the award. The banquet announcing the winners will be held May 4 at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church of Greenville.

We congratulate all 21 nominees this year. It is truly an honor to be considered for the Achiever Award because these young people not only demonstrate athletic prowess, but also sportsmanship, strength of character and dedication to family, God and community.

While the winners of this year's Achiever Award may not be the best athletes the area has to offer, they will be the two young people from our county who, overall, have shown a commitment to the things that are important both on and off the field. Good luck to all nomineeswe wish all of you could win.