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Exactly fifteen years ago, on May 6, 2010, the annual Butler County Achiever Awards banquet honored not two, but three local young people from area schools. In a first-ever tie, two Butler County young men were selected to win the award. 

The history-making award cycle was the 13th occasion the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce held the award ceremony and it became not only a way to honor rising stars among area youth, but also a foretelling of more good things to come from the achievements of those students.

Berry Bess, then a Greenville High School senior, was one of the two male award recipients in 2010. He went on to study at the University of Alabama and later returned to Butler County where he is now head coach and athletic director for Georgiana School.

Bess was one of 37 Butler County students nominated for the 2010 Achiever Awards. Now he is coaching and mentoring boys and girls, on the field and in the classroom, who are considered for the same award year after year.

The coach is one of the many shining examples of individuals who, with the support and encouragement of their community, go on to pay it forward right here at home.

We applaud the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce for pouring into area youths. Their efforts are not only making history, but continue laying the foundation for future generations.