Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Payson's Agnes Blair Bowers, 90, is among the 21 finalists for the "Ageless Heroes" awards from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

Extraordinary seniors age 65 or older were nominated for their accomplishments through the Ageless Heroes program in six categories: Against the Odds, Champion for Health, Community Involvement, Creative Expressions, Love of Learning, and Vigor and Vitality.

Bowers is a finalist in the "Love of Learning" category.

After retiring from a distinguished teaching career, Bowers continued giving her heart and soul to her adopted communities by volunteering in both educational and philanthropic endeavors.

Moving from Michigan to Cherry, Ariz., back when the town of Cherry was seven miles from a paved road, she recognized the opportunity to help students and their families by serving on the Prescott Valley School Board.

In Dewey, Ariz., Bowers became a volunteer with the Adult Literacy program, and then, commencing three years ago, following a move to Payson, she tutors groups of second-grade students three days a week to assist them in improving their reading and math skills. What's more, every Friday, Bowers is found volunteering at the Payson Senior Citizens Center Thrift Store to raise funds for their charitable causes.

Arizona senior citizens selected as Ageless Heroes finalists for their contributions to the community will be honored at an awards ceremony Feb. 14 at The Arizona Biltmore Resort.

During the Feb. 14 luncheon, the Ageless Hero winner in each of the seven award categories will be announced.

More than 137 nominations were submitted for the 2007 program. The nominations were narrowed down to 21 finalists in seven categories by an independent panel of community leaders.

The 2007 finalists, by category, are:

Against the Odds:

James Pence, 67, Prescott

Judith Tunell, 65, Phoenix

Thomas Tirone, 71, Glendale

Champion for Health:

Robert Wesche, M.D., 72, Youngtown

Janet Miller, 69, Phoenix

Mae Jackson, 79, Glendale

Community Involvement:

Anita Van Boerum, 72, Phoenix

Violet Doskocil, 88, Mesa

Dorothy Lisonbee, 83, Tempe

Creative Expressions:

Lindsay Lafford, Lord of Ridley, 95, Tempe

Joan Lincoln, 80, Paradise Valley

John Peirce, 79, Phoenix

Love of Learning:

Berenice Fenn, 88, Tucson

Agnes Blair Bowers, 90, Payson

Yale Joseph, 85, Tucson

Vigor and Vitality:

William "Rocky" Hill, 82, Surprise

Edward McNeff, 84, Pinetop

Claude Varney Baker, 81, Prescott

Emerging Hero:

Jane Pence, 61, Tucson

Yvonne Ulrich, 56, Apache Junction

Myra Guttentag, 57, Scottsdale

For more information, call (602) 864-2240 or (800) 528-0716, ext. 2240.