Charley Priddy, Class of 67
Winner of 2007 Minuteman Award
Another good surprise was pulled off again this year at the 2007 CBHS Graduation ceremony – our newly crowned Minuteman Award winner was totally caught off-guard and surprised to the hilt! Charley ALWAYS attends CBHS graduations and was perplexed at why many of us were “insisting” that he be there, and then when he arrived on-site, asked to sit up front - where he never sits. The presenters were Scott and Teressa Hardcastle, last year’s Minuteman Award winners and the ones who nominated Charley for this award. Below is the speech given that evening at the ceremony:
“Good Evening, we are Scott and Teressa Hardcastle (2006 Minutemen Award Winners) and it gives us great pleasure tonight to be presenting the 2007 Minuteman Award.
America is a nation whose principles rest upon a reverence for human dignity, freedom and courage. In 1775, a group of ragged but determined people stood against seemingly overwhelming odds and with grace of their faith and belief in human rights, forged a new nation. Tonight we honor their spirit, commitment, vision and courage.
Each year at graduation, Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School presents the Minuteman Award to a member or members of the school or community who fits the criteria of:
“One who stands tall among men of vision and with renewed courage will contribute to those principles which make this country great.”
This is the highest award the school may bestow upon individuals who have served this community. The award was initiated in 1966 during the second graduation ceremony for Cocoa Beach High School students. Nominations are received and carefully scrutinized by an elected committee of students, faculty and community members. Nominations have been accepted and awards given continuously through the last 46 years, and this tradition continues tonight as one new Minuteman is added to the list of __ names on the stone monument at the front of the school.
This year’s awardee epitomizes the Minuteman Award characteristics though his actions to support the school he so dearly cherishes.
A 1967 Cocoa Beach High graduate, he has kept his childhood roots by maintaining a part-time residence in Cocoa Beach while working as an Engineer on the Delta rocket program out of Manhattan Beach, CA. He is a very private person, but passionate about what he believes which at times borders on overbearing, but he is a person who can make things happen when he sees a need.
His VISION is to provide material needs to our local schools through fundraising, which directly led to the creation of the Cocoa Beach Alumni Association (CBAA) in 2001, of which he led as President for two years.
His COURAGE is shown by not being afraid to fail and he often has grand expectations, which to some are far fetched but are often realized through his persistence to succeed.
His PRINCIPLES are exemplified thru his leadership skills and his always positive can do attitude.
Just a few of his many accomplishments:
- Window replacement in the CBHS Football Field ticket booth
- New football jerseys
- Laser-guided Paint Striper for CBHS football/soccer fields
- Player refreshments for Annual Alumni Football game
- Beach Walk pavers – Many for classmates and his Class of 1967
- New Basketball uniforms
- Sponsor of Pre-Season basketball tournament
- Organizer of the Alumni baseball games
- New sign above the Band Room
- New Keyboard and piano dolly for Chorus
- PA system for Capeview Elementary – Project Leader
- Pencils/Markers/Notebooks for Roosevelt Middle School
- The Returned Beach Bell – Total Refurbished
Ladies and gentleman, please give a big Beach Pride thank you to our 2007 Minuteman Award winner, Mr. Charley Priddy.”