Beacon Awards

Annual Achievement Awards

Leonard 'Buddy' Burton Outstanding Business Person

John White Shields Outstanding Citizen

Young Person of the Year - Seniors can submit their scholarship application through the high school guidance office as part of the local scholarship program.

Best Initiative

Educator of the Year

Emerging Business

Chincoteague Island, VA - [March 7, 2025] - The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is excited to unveil the inaugural Beacon Awards, which will build on the legacy of its Annual Awards event to honor those shining a light on leadership and excellence in our community. While honoring the past, the new format will expand the number of awards presented to individuals and organizations who have made and are making significant contributions to the growth and success of our community. Engagement is key as community members will actively participate in the nomination and voting processes. 

From historic lighthouses which have guided mariners and safeguarded our shores since 1833 to the Chincoteague Beacon newspaper, founded by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce in 1954 which illuminated the stories of our community, a beacon is an established symbol of the islands. 

The Beacon Awards will serve as a beacon of recognition, highlighting the outstanding achievements that continue to shape Chincoteague Island's vibrancy. Through this transformation, the Chamber aims to create a broader platform for honoring those who go above and beyond in making Chincoteague a thriving and inspiring place to live, work, and visit. The awards will honor excellence in two categories; Annual Achievement Awards and Community Impact Awards.

In 1990, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce introduced the Leonard 'Buddy' Burton Outstanding Business Person of the Year and John White Shields Outstanding Citizen of the Year awards at their Annual Awards event. Since that time, seventy-six (76) esteemed members of our community have been honored. In addition, each year the Chamber presents the Nicki L. West Memorial Scholarship to a deserving Chincoteague High School senior. These recognitions are the Chamber's cornerstone awards and will continue to be an integral part of this new event as Annual Achievement Awards.

Leonard 'Buddy' Burton Outstanding Business Person: Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in professional and community leadership and exhibits the highest of moral and ethical standards that has been a Chincoteague Island resident and/or employed by a Chincoteague business for at least five (5) years and has made, or is making, significant contributions to the welfare of the community through involvement and participation. 

John White Shields Outstanding Citizen: Recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated excellence in community leadership and exhibits the highest of moral and ethical standards and has made, or is making, significant contributions to the welfare of the community through involvement and participation, who as lived on Chincoteague Island for at least five (5) years.

Young Person of the Year: The Nicki L. West Memorial Scholarship recognizes a Chincoteague High School Senior who will continue their higher education at a 2-year, 4-year, or technical school of higher learning. Seniors can submit their scholarship application through the high school guidance office as part of the local scholarship program.

As part of the expanded awards initiative, the Chamber is introducing three new Community Impact Awards. These new honors aim to celebrate the individuals, businesses, and initiatives that are making a significant difference in the community. Through these awards, the Chamber seeks to recognize exceptional contributions across a variety of sectors, from innovative projects and educational dedication to the success of emerging businesses. Each award highlights a specific area of impact and provides an opportunity to showcase the many ways in which people and organizations are working to create a stronger, more dynamic Chincoteague. 

Best Initiative: Recognizing an outstanding initiative launched in the last two years that demonstrates innovation, impact, and positive contributions to an organization or our community.

Educator of the Year: Recognizing the extraordinary efforts of an individual who has dedicated their life to education in all its forms. It can recognize a teacher but also a mentor, counselor, administrator, librarian, coach, tour guide, or anyone who contributes to the growth and development of learners of all ages in the Chincoteague community through dedication, leadership, and positivity.

Emerging Business: Recognizing an outstanding new business, who has been in business for five (5) or less years that demonstrates innovation, growth, and a positive impact on the community. 

The Chamber encourages residents, visitors, business owners, and organizations to submit nominations for individuals or entities who exemplify the qualities of leadership, community service, innovation, and impact. Nominations forms can be downloaded at ChincoteagueChamber.com/Special-Recognitions and will be accepted through April 1, 2025.

“We are excited to introduce the Beacon Awards as a celebration of the incredible individuals, businesses, and initiatives that help make Chincoteague Island a truly special place,” said Joanne Moore, Executive Director of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. “This redesigned event builds on our rich tradition of honoring excellence, while expanding the scope of recognition to reflect the diverse contributions that shape our community’s growth and vibrancy. The Beacon Awards provide a platform to showcase the dedication, innovation, and leadership that continue to inspire us all. We look forward to celebrating those who go above and beyond to make Chincoteague Island the ‘Beautiful Land Across the Water’ and shine a light on the importance of guidance, excellence, and leadership in our community.”

Annual Achievement Award nominations will be reviewed by and recipients determined by a designated committee, as in previous years. Community Impact Award nominations will be reviewed by the committee and top nominations will be announced with online community voting to determine the winner. Full voting details will be announced in mid-April. 

The Beacon Awards will be held on June 5 from 5pm – 7pm at the Chincoteague Center with light fare provided. The evening will be a time to honor nominees and recipients of the Annual Achievement and Community Impact Awards, recognize long-standing businesses for their resilience, dedication, and significant contributions to the community over the years, and networking. More details and RSVP information will be shared soon.

The Chincoteague Chamber Of Commerce Proudly Honors The 2024 Leonard “Buddy” Burton Outstanding Business Person Of The Year

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 2024 Leonard "Buddy" Burton Business Person of the Year Award was presented to Nicole Miller, Sales and Marketing Manager Comfort Suites Chincoteague Island Bayfront Resort and Key West Cottages. Nicole began her career with the company in 2001. With over 2 decades of experience in the hotel industry, Nicole demonstrates exemplary standards of professional character in her day to day business dealings. Her "grit, ethical decision making, and dedication to a robust business community" were strong traits expressed in her nomination for the award. She is devoted to Historic Main Street Merchant activities that bring visitors to the island to stimulate the local economy, such as Death By Chocolate, Search for Shamrocks and Annual Tree Lighting. Volunteering at local events such as the Chincoteague Seafood Festival and Oyster Festival are but two of the ways she gives back to the community. Arranging food drives, helping plan weddings, and providing alternative prom photo opportunities from the hotel balconies when weather is an obstacle are a few more. Nicole's "tireless commitment to the health and well being of the entire Chincoteague business community" sets her aside as the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 2024 Leonard "Buddy" Burton Business Person of the Year.

The Chincoteague Chamber Of Commerce Proudly Honors The 2024 John White Shields Outstanding Citizens Of The Year

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 2024 John White Shields Citizen of the Year Award was presented to David Landsberger. David has lived on Chincoteague for over 15 years, supporting numerous projects financially and through his time, energy, and creative ideas. His vision for ways to improve the quality of life in our community here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia shines in every project he touches. He has been instrumental in assisting the Island Theatre Performing Arts Center renovation, the Island Community House, Brianna's Kindness Park, Chincoteague Island Food Closet, Museum of Chincoteague Island/Beebe Ranch Acquisition, Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Chincoteague Island Library Endowment, the David Landsberger Family YMCA, Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Eastern Shore Community College to name a few. David's leadership and "efforts have significantly contributed to the welfare of the community" for both residents and visitors, according to one nomination ballot. Another person wrote, "I've found that David's inclination has been to support projects that help to make a community whole." The projects mentioned here certainly attest to that belief and was a deciding factor in the committee's choice for the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 2024 John White Shields Citizen of the Year.

PRESS RELEASE: Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Recognizes 2024 Leonard "Buddy" Burton Business Person of the Year and 2024 John White Shields Citizen of the Year