Ozarks Alive has announced the winners of its inaugural Rock Picking Awards, recognizing people and organizations working to preserve and share Ozarks culture.
More than 50 applications were reviewed for the honors, according to a community announcement. The awards were created by Ozarks Alive, a cultural preservation project founded by Kaitlyn McConnell.
“Ozarks Alive’s Rock Picking Awards were designed to recognize the individuals and groups doing impactful work to help us better understand our region’s culture,” McConnell said. “I am thrilled with these honorees, who are making an impact on the region today and into the future.”
The recipients are Megan Nichols of Mountain View, Arkansas, for Creative Arts; The Creek Rocks of Springfield for Music;
Phyllis Speer of Mountain Home, Arkansas, for Land and Food; Curtis Copeland of Ozark for Historical Preservation; and Pat Johnson of Pocahontas, Arkansas, for Legacy Leader.
Additional winners include La Russell’s Pump Lighting and Parade for Gathering to Celebrate; Ozark Folkways of Winslow and Fayetteville, Arkansas, for Community-Minded Group of the Year; and Gray/Campbell Farmstead of Springfield for Museums and Cultural Sites.
Rising Star recipient selected
Judges also selected the Lincoln School Project in West Plains for the Rising Star Award after reviewing applications across all categories. The recognition is based on a project's early success and expected long-term impact, according to the announcement.
More information about the honorees is available at ozarksalive.com/rock-picking-awards.
Celebration planned in Springfield
The winners will be recognized at the Rock Picking Party on Nov. 15 at the Library Center's Hatch Auditorium in Springfield. Tickets and event information are available at ozarksalive.com/rock-picking-awards.
“This event will recognize our 2026 winners, but it’s also open to the public as a celebration of broader Ozarks culture,” McConnell said. “I hope people with an interest in the Ozarks will choose to attend, meet new friends, and come away inspired by the work being done right here in our region.”
Ozarks Alive, founded in 2015, documents regional culture and history and has produced three books, including “The Ozarks Pie Project Diary.”
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Alive announces first Rock Picking Award winners
