NATCHEZ &045;&045; Judge John Hudson was pleased and surprised Monday night to receive the Natchezian Award, but he said his greatest joy has come in serving others.

&uot;This is certainly a great honor and a great surprise,&uot; said Hudson, who serves as Adams County Youth Court judge and is involved in youth programs with Jefferson County United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club.

&uot;I have to thank the citizens of this community. … I thank God and my church for instilling in me that there is a joy in serving … It’s great to get honors, but it’s better to make a difference in someone’s life.&uot;

Hudson thanked those who have supported the Youth Court over the years.

&uot;I want to thank all those people who have played a role in making the county youth court something we can be proud of but more important something that can serve the kids,&uot; Hudson said.

The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce presented Hudson with the award during its annual membership dinner at the Natchez Convention Center.

Also honored Monday was Agnes Holloway, who was overcome by emotion at receiving the Athena Award, presented to a woman who gives her time and talent to her community and her profession.

&uot;I never dreamed,&uot; a tearful Holloway said. &uot;Thank you. I love what I do.&uot;

The chamber presented its Educator of the Year award to Alan Oliver of Copiah-Lincoln Community College, who has been teaching since 1974.

&uot;I want to thank the chamber for this honor,&uot; he said. &uot;I enjoy what I do. … I will cherish this for the rest of my life.&uot;

Isle of Capri was named Business of the Year. General Manager Jose Oakley recognized his staff and thanked Natchez residents for welcoming him to the community.

&uot;I want to thank everyone for accepting me as an outsider from Vicksburg,&uot; he said.

The chamber dinner also saw the passing of the gavel from outgoing chamber board chairman Andrew Calvit to Kurt Russ, who said he hopes to encourage involvement among members of his generation &045;&045; those 40 and under &045;&045; during his term as chamber chairman.

&uot;It’s our turn to lead; it’s our turn to learn how to lead,&uot; Russ said.

Keynote speakers during the dinner were Brig. Gen. Robert Crear of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Brig. Gen. Richard Capka, deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.

Crear discussed his involvement with bluff stabilization in Natchez, a multi-million dollar, federally funded project to reinforce the bluffs.

&uot;It took a lot for the federal government to pour $26 million into a small community,&uot; Crear said.

What made the project so successful, he said, was the cooperation among the federal, state and local officials. &uot;We wrote the book on partnership down here in Natchez,&uot; Crear said.

Both men also talked about their service in Iraq. Crear served as commander of Task Force Restore Iraqi Oil in 2003, and Capka assisted in redevelopment projects as a civilian.