Boston – A columnist from southern California, where Will Rogers spent some of the most productive years of his life, was recognized as the 2006 winner of the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award at the annual conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The award went to John Boston, who writes for The Signal at Santa Clarita, Calif.
The winner was announced at an awards banquet Saturday, July 1, at the Omni Parker House in Boston. Columnist Art Buchwald was honored as the 2006 recipient of the Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to him earlier this year. A videotaped acceptance speech was shown and his daughter, Jennifer, gave remarks on his behalf.
Tim Whyte, general manger of The Signal, nominated Boston for the award, saying, “he has worked tirelessly in the community, personally raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities.”
As one example of his work, Boston chaired an auction to fund 13 scholarships totaling nearly $50,000 from the Santa Clarita Valley Press Club and 1st Amendment Scholarship Foundation last year. He also conducted similar auctions for a professional women’s group and the Boys and Girls Club.
Whyte said Boston gives time and money to Carousel Ranch, a charity that uses equestrian training to help severely handicapped children. Each year he donates a number of chuckwagon campfire dinners from his “Scared O’ Bears” ranch to benefit local organizations.
Santa Clarita is about 30 miles north of Santa Monica, where Will Rogers lived with his family on a ranch the last 6 ½ years of his life. This year the ranch was reopened to the public after a $5 million restoration of the house and grounds.
The Will Rogers award, named for the humorist and newspaper columnist who used his public forum for the good of his fellow citizens, is presented annually to a columnist whose work produces tangible benefits for the community served by his or her newspaper. The program, which began in 2000, is sponsored by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists with support from the Will Rogers Memorial Commission of Oklahoma and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.
The Will Rogers award, a miniature of his statue in the U.S. Capitol, also carries a $500 stipend. Nominations may be made by editors or community leaders.
Boston, who was unable to attend the Boston conference, will be presented with the award formally by Kem Rogers, a grandson of the beloved cowboy philosopher, at the Will Rogers Writers’ Workshop being offered by NSNC March 15-18, 2007 in Oklahoma City.
NSNC Secretary Robert Haught, coordinator of the award program, also recognized Mike Harden of the Columbus Dispatch for using his role as a columnist to help needy children, the homeless and victims of Hurricane Katrina. He presented him with a copy of “The Quotable Will Rogers” by Joseph H. Carter.