Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles started the award ceremony with a discussion of Sunnyvale's agricultural past and its evolution into "The Heart of Silicon Valley."

Turn-of-the-century clothing worn by some Chamber members, much of it provided by Debbie Lyn's Closet costume shop, honored the city's past.

Award recipients reflected the diversity of the community.

Bill Golden from Columbia Middle School and Elizabeth Rochin from Cupertino High School were named "Teacher of the Year" for the Sunnyvale and Fremont Union high school districts, respectively.

Jim Gibson, one of many Leadership Sunnyvale graduates in attendance, was the organization's Alumnus of the Year for his community service.

Leadership Sunnyvale's parent organization, Silicon Valley Leadership, gave Advanced Micro Devices the Corporate Leadership Award for its continued support of the community, including the Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival, Sunnyvale Community Services and local schools.

Don Gfroerer was named Sunnyvale Community Services' Volunteer of the Year for his bimonthly food program participation.

Two Air Force members stationed at Onizuka Air Force Station were honored: Staff Sgt. Raymond P. Ward II as Onizuka's Enlisted Member of the Year, and Capt. Chad W. Melone as Officer of the Year. They received a standing ovation for their military service.

Jennifer Paedon, founding Moffett Park Business and Transportation Association executive director, was honored with the Moffett Park Business and Transportation Award for her efforts to improve the traffic and transportation situation in the area.

There were also a number of awards given by the Chamber itself. Bill Leonard of Ignite Marketing was Ambassador of the Year, while computer whiz and volunteer Cyrus Lendvay was named Edna Costa Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

Rooster T. Feathers' Heather Barbieri was named Member of the Year for her volunteer work for the Chamber.

P.F. Chang's was named Chamber Business of the Year for its participation in local events--especially for providing food for Chamber volunteers at the Art & Wine Festival.

Whistle Stop Magazine was given the Service to the Community Award, and the Ramada Inn Silicon Valley received the Community Spirit Award.

Pacific Gas & Electric was honored for Outstanding Service to the Local Business Community, and Foster Brothers Security Systems--the first company to join the chamber in 1906--got the Founder's Award.

The Mathilda Avenue Bank of America location was given the Pioneer Award after at least 60 years of chamber membership.

Chamber President Suzi Blackman gave the President's Award to The Sunnyvale Sun for its "professionalism, commitment to publishing the truth and willingness to dig deep for the story."

Chamber of Commerce board of directors chairman Mike Bangs gave the Chair's Award to Larry Gaasterland for his volunteer work.

The Bill Shears Award of Excellence went to Steve Molcsan for his volunteer work for the Chamber and the community. Molcsan offers his services as an electrician during the Arts and Wine Festival and the Christmas tree lighting.

The final award of the night was the Athena Award, given each year to a woman who embodies excellence, mentoring and community service.

This year, the award went to Jane Vaughan from Menlo Equities, who has been instrumental in some of Sunnyvale's largest developments. She is currently the project manager on the Town Center Mall redevelopment project.

She also helped Sunnyvale Community Services find its current building on Kifer Road by donating more than $300,000 worth of her time to the organization.