Parker Award

McNutt Award

MacGregor Award

President’s Award

Youth Scholarship Award

Almon F. Parker Inspirational Award

Almon F Parker was a man who worked untiring for many years to further the interest of the square and folk dance movement. A native of Wenatchee, his interest in square dancing was fostered at an early age by his father who called at private parties for the entertainment of himself and his friends.

Almon F. Parker played a leading role in the forming of the Square and Folk Dance Federation of Washington in 1947-1948 and was elected its first president. During his term of office, the state magazine FOOTNOTES made its first appearance in the form of a ditto sheet. Its purpose then, as now, was to disseminate information of statewide interest to dancers.

He conceived the idea of awarding the ‘Presidents Cup’ at all state festivals each year and made the initial presentation to “Red” Henderson of Spokane in May 1949. The award is a large gold cup inscribed “The Almon F. Parker Inspirational Award” and accompanying it is a letter which reads a follows: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN … The recipient of the “Inspirational Award” Cup has been cited for having done an outstanding job of teaching and promoting folk dancing as a wholesome recreation of young and old alike. He is a member of the Folk Dance Federation of Washington and subscribes to its principles and the principles of folk dancing in general – that democracy and fair play are as important as having fun. He taught both European (International) and American dances to children (or young people) as well as adults.

The holder must be the final judge as to his successor, and must make the actual presentation, after having the name of his successor engraved on the cup following his own name. When there is no more space on the cup for new names, it is to be returned (along with this letter) to the original donor, or placed in the permanent archives of the Folk Dance Federation of Washington. It is not to be construed that the recipient is the best or the biggest of anything. The cup is not intended as a prize in any kind of competition, but merely a symbol of recognition of inspiring work done in the field of folk dancing.

Recipients of the Parker Award

Bob McNutt Round Dance Cuer/Teacher Award

Bob McNutt was born in Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1930 his family moved to Benton City, WA. Bob and Martha met and married in 1938 and were married for 60 years.

McNutt was an active member of the State Federation. Bob championed his idea of “leadership training”. This dream project became a reality in 1968. when under the leadership of State Federation President, Bill Twilley, the go-ahead was given. The Leadership Seminar has been a part of the State Federation Program ever since.

Bob and Martha received the PARKER AWARD in 1968 and were the recipients of the PRESIDENTS AWARD in 1974.

Bob McNutt Round Dance Cuer/Teacher Award recipient will be a person cited for having done an outstanding job of teaching and promoting Round Dancing as a wholesome recreation for all ages.

He/she is an active participant of the Square and Folk Dance Federation of Washington and subscribes to its principles of Folk Dancing in general -that democracy and fair play are as important as having fun.

He/she has taught different rhythms and phases of Round Dancing.

The holder must be the final judge as to his or her successor and must make actual presentation, after having the name of their successor engraved on the Award. It is not to be construed that the recipient of this Award is the best anything, the Award is merely a symbol of recognition for inspiring done in the field of Round Dancing.

Recipients of the McNutt Award

Harry MacGregor Award

The recipient of this Trophy is to be recognized as one who has done an outstanding job of promoting square dancing and has worked in many phases of our activity. It is to honor a person or couple for the time and effort that they have devoted to our hobby. They will retain it for one year and will then present it to another party outside their council.

Each council will send in a nomination to the current recipient and the Past-Presidents (XP’s) club will also send in a nomination. This should be accompanied with a resume of the nominee’s accomplishments. Nominations aid in choosing a recipient and do not mean recipients must be chosen from those nominations.

The current recipient must have the name of the successor engraved on the Trophy and present it at the next State Festival.

Recipients of the MacGregor Award

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

The President’s Award shall be given at the discretion of the State Federation President. It shall be given to those individuals that have spent several years giving exceptional service to further the development of square dancing and round dancing within the State of Washington.

This award should not necessarily be restricted to those working as State Federation officers or committee chairs. Any dancer, teacher or caller shall be eligible to be recognized for their long and exceptional service.

Recipients of the President’s Award

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Recipients of the Youth Scholarship Award