WILLIAMSON - The Williamson Kiwanis Club’s 26th annual “Top of the Class” banquet Monday night was an outstanding success with the area’s top students and speakers participating.

The event was held at The Brass Tree restaurant with 20 graduating seniors present from 10 schools in three counties — Mingo, Pike and Martin, the latter two in Kentucky. Adding to the attendance were parents and teachers.

Dr. Gayle Ormiston, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Marshall University, Huntington, was the keynote speaker. He was introduced by Kiwanian Mike Pfaffenberger.

Dr. Ormiston spoke about the value of education financially with more education. A person is less likely to be unemployed and to have a higher income if he or she is educated, Ormiston told his audience.

He said the greater value of education is that it opens one’s eyes to the world, broadening a person’s vision.

Mike Blackburn, president of Lauren Land Company and a representative of Massey Energy which sponsors the Top of the Class banquet, spoke about Massey’s commitment to education in this area. He was introduced by John Mark Hubbard, president of the Mingo County Commission.

Blackburn presented a personalized engraved pla-que to each of the students at the banquet.

Dr. Ormiston presented the “Best of the Best” awards after Kiwanis Club members chose them for extra special recognition.

This year’s two Best of the Best award recipients were Marshall Miller of Pike County Central High School, Pikeville, Ky., who received a $1,500 scholarship for first place honors, and Chelsea Phillips of Tug Valley High School, Naug-atuck, who received a $750 scholarship as second place winner.

Kiwanis President Beck-ie Baer welcomed the guests at the beginning of the event and introduced the Top of the Class students, parents and school representatives.

Kiwanian Judy Hamrick led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance. The Rev. Robert Settles, past lieutenant governor of the 9th Kiwanis Division and past president of the local club, gave the invocation.

Dr. Cindy McCoy brought greetings from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

The Top of the Class banquet and recognition of area students began in 1984 and has continued annually.