2012′s Most Encouraging Kentuckian Award, designed and handcrafted by Lexington artist Joann Strunk. Made with genuine Kentucky limestone and copper, our award is meant to symbolize what not only makes Kentucky unique, but also world-class.
“I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Have you ever aspired toward what might have been considered a barely-reachable goal? Maybe to start and build your dream business into a successful enterprise? To write your first book? Attain that degree? Run your first marathon? Lose 30+ lbs? Open that art studio?
If you have, then you’re intimately aware of the profound effect encouragement – or discouragement – have on you. LeXenomics firmly believes those subtle letters, en vs. dis, can often make the difference between going for it – you pursuing a higher level of happiness – or you remaining on the sidelines, watching life’s biggest opportunities pass you by.
And as we all embark on building our lives – and therefore our new economy – we prefer Kentucky’s vastly-talented people say, “forget fear, we are going for it!”
So in 2011 we introduced the first annual Most Encouraging Kentuckian Award. Folks from various backgrounds around our state converged on Lexington to honor the very best in all of us – that encouraging spirit.
And now in 2012, our Award has grown by leaps and bounds with our nine Finalists – as nominated by you – receiving nearly 3000 votes from all over Kentucky!
For more info on 2012′s Finalists and our Awards Night, visit our home page.
2011′s Most Encouraging Kentuckian, Ernie Peel
Runner of twenty-two marathons since turning 50 years old
Leader of the extremely popular John’s Striders running group in Lexington
Mentor to numerous Kentuckians who’ve trained successfully for their first ever half or full marathons!
For more about Ernie, see below.
.
Our inaugural awards dinner and evening included fifty beautiful Kentuckians plus special guest speakers, including Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Archvision founder and Kentucky Entrepreneurs Hall-of-Famer Randall Stevens, plus Dee Fife, current Archvision President. Our night was capped off by an exciting visit from 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials hopeful (half-marathon) Kevin Castille of Nicholasville, Kentucky!
Why was Ernie Peel 2011′s Winner?
Taken directly and verbatim from John’s Strider’s amazingly popular and active Facebook page, this speaks for itself.
“Because of Ernie, I…
“I get up at an ungodly hour on Saturday mornings to meet the group for a run, even when it’s dark and zero degrees! Never, ever would I have thought that would happen!!” – Cherri Morris Sebree
“… this sprinter girl ran her first marathon (therefore got to experience that feeling and sense of accomplishment one only gets when completing an endurance event)!” – Jennifer Schilling
“I lost lost 40 pounds, quit smoking, and became a runner- a ‘real’ runner!! Went from not even being able to run one mile in sept of 2009 to logging my first 20 mile this weekend! Thank you striders and thank you Ernie! – Rhonda Vice
“… I learned that running could bring me JOY and deepen my appreciation for Gods amazing beauty (even in the dark)…. I could set a goal to run a marathon and actually run 2 in the year I turned 40….best of all, he was the common denominator that led me to meet some of the most dearest, most special and incredible friends in my life!!” – Kim Hook Schuh
“… I ran my first 20 miler on a day that called for 14 because his enthusiasm is severely contagious and I just couldn’t stop that day… I ran a race (2011′s Iron Horse Half-Marathon) where I spent more time cheering for all of my new running buddies than watching Garmin tick away… I finished my first marathon 11 months after back surgery with a sideline full of people who also helped me get there. In particular, one very loud man with a cowbell. 
Because of Ernie, running is no longer a solo sport… I experienced the JOY of supporting new runners and I have been lifted up by the group’s more seasoned runners (evidence of the contagious ‘Ernie Effect’).” – Casey Nichole Hill
“… I discovered how fun it is to train with a group, and how amazing it is to discover that while running with others I had more fun working harder than ever – and actually exceeded my own expectations and met fantastic people. Thanks to Ernie, this loner is not a loner anymore!” – Alison Stevenson Morris
“… I developed the confidence to run with a group of the most wonderful people ever and have never felt so blessed to know them…I can run in the rain, cold, wind, and dark and still have the best morning ever (even if I can’t ignore the cold, I can still love running with the Striders in it!)…I can run farther than before, and I am the happiest and healthiest I’ve been.” – Lisa Broome-Price
“… I found out it’s never too early….to rainy….to windy….too snowy….too dark…..too anything for a run! Get up..put your shoes on and get out the door!!” – Scott Gammon
“… I became capable of running 26.2 miles.” – Eric Patrick Marr
“… I have made many new good friends, a great man in my life, and have run a marathon.” – Chris Miara
