The Distinguished Shoate! Award

A Shoate is a young hog that is less than a year old and lust weaned from its mother. It no longer suckles, but feeds itself! The Distinguished Shoate! Award concurs with that philosophy in that it symbolizes that stage of independence in one*s life when they not only take care of themselves, but also perform humanitarian deeds and distinguished service to the family unit.

Shoate! was the nickname of the patriarch of a very large Virginia family. This patriarch*s legacy to his descendants was one of leadership, family values, wisdom, and kindness. The Distinguished Shoate! Award recipients characterize those attributes.

 

Since 1999, the Joyner Family Endowment Fund has presented this award to recognize and honor people who are independent and make outstanding contributions to the family unit. The honor is noted by means of certificates, plaques, and other awards. The Distinguished Shoate! Award is a national award; however, it is not a competitive award. One earns the award. Anyone who is a member of a family is eligible to receive the award based on the following:

• The recipient must be recommended for the award by a family member.

• The recipient must make an outstanding contribution to the family unit and exhibit the attributes listed above.

• The Distinguished Shoate! Award must be presented at and/or in affiliation with a Family Reunion.

• All recommendations for the award are subject to review and approval by the creator/founder and members of the Joyner Family Endowment Fund.

The goal of the Distinguished Shoate! Award is to have an impact on the family unit nationally and internationally. One day, the Distinguished Shoate! Award will be coveted as the premier family award.