The Van Horn Award

The Van Horn Award, our club’s highest honor, was created in 2023 by then-club President Victor Treutel to recognize and honor the years of service Bill and Sharon Van Horns have and continue to freely give to Nantahala Hiking Club.

Previous to this award, our club had no way to recognize a volunteer with more than 4,000 hours of service. This award was created to correct that oversight.

To qualify for the Van Horn Award, a club member-volunteer must be recommended for recognition based on leadership positions held and volunteer time given in excess of 4,000 hours to the club. That individual is then presented to the Board of Directors for approval. A brief description of their service record is drafted and added to a plaque, which is presented during the Award banquet in December.

The Award’s Namesakes – Bill and Sharon Van Horn

Photo: Bill Van Horn, right, performing maintenance on the Appalachian Trail.

The award’s first recipients also lent their name to the honor. Bill and Sharon Van Horn’s long list of accomplishments includes 20+ years of service and accomplishments:

  • Section hiked the entire AT
  • Maintainer – sawyer and crosscut certified and trainer
  • Started annual Thru-Hiker Chow Down
  • Worked to establish Franklin as the first AT community
  • Started and led the Trail Ambassador program
  • Started and led Visual Resource Inventory
  • Completed the first visitor use management assessment
  • Led school outreach and hikes
  • Served on the club’s Board of Directors and as President
  • Regional Partnership Committee Representative and SORO Chairperson
  • Combined, the couple achieved more than 20,000 volunteer hours
  • Worked as Smokies Ridge Runners
  • Worked with ATC on sustainable campsite planning and development
  • Assisted with AT Vista events
  • Supported ATC Biennial Meeting at Cullowhee
  • Served on numerous ATC committees/task groups

Photo: Sharon Van Horn (in purple) standing among her faithful helpers at the 2023 Thru-Hiker Chow Down, a Trail Magic event she created to bring hikers to Franklin, the first official AT Community Town recognized by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a designation the Van Horns helped the town achieve.

The plaque they received in 2023 read:

Presented to Bill and Sharon Van Horn

You have created a culture of volunteerism and mentorship that has touched, if not changed, countless lives during your twenty years as members of the Nantahala Hiking Club.

Picture: Santa looks on with pride as Sharon and Bill (right) Van Horn receive the club’s highest honor from President Victor Treutel.

You have created a legacy for future generations and provided a rock-solid foundation for which the wonders of the Appalachian Trail will forever exist.

This award, to be known as The Van Horn, has been created and named in your honor. Future awards will be given to club members who have contributed greatly so that others can experience the wonders of our mountaintops. Although your shoes are impossible to fill, we all strive to be “Van Horns”.

You are the legacy of the Nantahala Hiking Club and the Appalachian Trail.

Paul Dyer – The 2024 Van Horn Recipient

Photo: Bill and Sharon Van Horn share their excitement with long-time volunteer Paul Dyer (right), recipient of the club’s highest honor.

Paul Dyer was nominated and received the Van Horn Award in 2024. His plaque read:

Presented to Paul Dyer

You have exemplified a culture of volunteerism and mentorship that has touched, if not changed, countless lives during your years as a Lifetime Member of the Nantahala Hiking Club. You are truly an example for future generations to follow that will provide a rock-solid foundation for which the wonders of the Appalachian Trail will forever exist.

This award, known as “The Van Horn,” has been created and named in honor of Bill and Sharon Van Horn.  All future awards will be given to club members who have contributed greatly so that others can experience the wonders of our mountaintops. Nantahala Hiking Club is pleased to present our highest award to you.