Not that the chamber of commerce is in the habit of picking undeserving winners of its annual awards, but this year’s recipients seemed particularly suited for recognition.

An educator for more than 30 years, Millicent Mayo earned the Athena Award, given each year to an outstanding professional woman. Mayo’s dedication to the children of the Natchez-Adams School District is clear, from her days as a teacher to principal of the Central Alternative School and now as director of public relations for the district. She is truly an ambassador not only for education but also for the children she helps guide.

In a different level of education, Dr. William Penney of Alcorn State University’s master’s of business administration program won the Educator of the Year award. In accepting the award, Penney couldn’t help but plug Alcorn’s MBA building under construction, and we can’t blame him. The MBA program is an asset to the school but also to our community.

McRae’s was named Business of the Year. The department store has not only been an important part of the business community for 20 years, it also gave the local Habitat for Humanity chapter more than $20,000 this year &045; one of the donations that has helped Habitat begin work on its latest house this month.

Finally, Mimi and Ron Miller of the Historic Natchez Foundation were named Natchezians of the Year. The couple was particularly deserving of the award not only because they are a team in every sense of the word but also because they were recognized by the business community. As Ron Miller said, sometimes the business community is at odds with preservationists, but the award proves how well the two interests can work together.

Congratulations to all.