(from the 2008 season)

Rookie of the Year - Jill Vadala

The Rookie of the Year award recognizes a first-year competitor who is likely to experience great success in the sport in the future. And any Figure Pro planning out her competition season this year is looking in her rearview mirror for Jill Vadala of Virginia. Jill began her competition career in April 2008 as a novice overall champ and finished off the year achieving the highest title the OCB offers: Yorton Cup National Figure Champion (and she become an IFPA Figure Pro in the process). We look forward to seeing Jill on the pro stage and congratulate her as our Rookie of the Year.

Grand Master - Butch Paradis

The Grand Master award recognizes a Grand Masters (Age 50 or Over) competitor whose physique inspires and impresses onlookers and seems to defy the aging processes. You would never suspect that Connecticut’s Butch Paradis is 52-years old. We had to look at his driver’s license to make sure he was eligible to compete in the Grand Masters 50+ division. Butch has been working out since he was 10-years old, competed in powerlifting in the Marines Corps in 1974, and started bodybuilding in the 1980’s. That lifelong commitment to fitness shows because Butch looks incredible!

Most Improved - Theresa Evans

The Most Improved award recognizes a competitor who showed exceptional improvement from the previous year. Theresa Evans from Connecticut presented herself well in 2007, but she needed improvements in her conditioning and upper-lower symmetry. When she returned to the stage in 2008 with tight conditioning, more defined abs, and sexier shapely legs she literally inched her way to top with a 2^nd place finish in Rhode Island, a 1^st place finish in the Short class in New Jersey, and finally an overall win in New York in October that qualified her for an IFPA Figure Pro card. We eagerly anticipate her pro debut.

Iron Man - Richard Herskovitz

The Iron Man/Iron Woman award recognizes the competitor who competed in the largest number of OCB competitions during the year. Maryland’s Richard Herskovitz competed five times in 2008, more than any other competitor, so he’s picking up the OCB Iron Man award… probably on the way to his next show!

Service - Nicole Weeks

The Service award recognizes an individual who dedicated his/her time to the sport of natural physique development and went above and beyond the call of duty. Even though she couldn’t compete last year due to some medical issues, Florida’s Nicole Weeks just couldn’t stay away from the natural bodybuilding scene. Volunteering as a judge, expeditor, emcee, and contributor to Fitness & Physique Magazine, Nicole Weeks receives this year’s OCB Service Award. In 2009 she added contest promoter to that list while planning her return to the pro stage.

Judge of the Year - Muskee Books

The Judge of the Year is Maryland’s Muskee Books. He dedicated his time to judging four competitions in 2008, answering the call to jump in at the last second for one of them. Muskee’s scoring accuracy was in the upper half of the judging panel consistently. After the competitions are over, Muskee stays to answer questions from competitors and provide valuable feedback to aid their improvement in future events.

Promoter of the Year - James Carron

The OCB recognizes James Carron of Massachusetts as the Promoter of the Year. James promotes the OCB Cape Cod Natural and IFPA Gaspari Nutrition Pro Classic each October. Competitors look forward to receiving bags stuffed with goodies, a large comfortable venue, and a well-organized staff of volunteers. This past year James, who owns Cape Cod Nutrition Center and www.TopSupplementsOnline.com, became the benefactor of the Natural Physique Forum when the OCB message board needed a new home. James Carron is known for being a generous and caring guy, and that is evidenced by how much he gives back to the sport he loves so much.

The Buser - Saiid Tejan-Kamara

The Buser award recognizes a competitor who has outstanding physique symmetry. It was named after Chuck Buser, who many feel was the epitome of muscular symmetry during the infancy of the natural bodybuilding movement. This year’s Buser award goes to Delaware’s Saiid Tejan-Kamara, who also clinched the overall title at the 2008 OCB Yorton Cup National Championship, thereby making him eligible for IFPA Pro competition. Saiid’s physique has exceptional balance, impressive size, and deep muscle bellies that equate to an amazing full and shapely appearance from top to bottom.

Inspiration - Aram Hamparian

The Inspiration award recognizes a competitor who overcame difficult obstacles and whose actions and determination are inspiring.  Onstage New York’s Aram Hamparian is very impressive. His awesome conditioning and good size are evident. His struggles haven’t been as apparent. Aram has overcome a few bouts with muscle wasting diseases. He has also survived stomach cancer, Wegeman’s disease, and a history of drugs and alcohol. He doesn’t talk about these issues much. He would rather deflect the attention away from himself and use his negative experiences to help others as an addictions counselor. Aram, you are an inspiration and we look forward to seeing you on stage again very soon!

The Sullivan - Neal Grossman

The Sullivan is a sportsmanship award that recognizes an individual who displayed excellent sportsmanship and demonstrated kind, caring and selfless acts during the year. While most competitors backstage focus on getting ready to go out, Maryland’s Neal Grossman can be found helping others. Whether it’s helping put tanner on, or helping others perfect their poses to best display themselves on stage, Neal is known for being friendly and positive. His sportsmanship and encouragement to others have earned him the Sully Award for this year.

MVP of the Year - Kareem "Reemo" Petteway

The Most Valuable Person of the Year award recognizes an individual who contributed to the growth, betterment and spirit of the OCB and the sport of natural physique. This year’s MVP of the Year is Maryland’s Kareem “Reemo” Petteway. Whether it’s collaborating on new drug testing guidelines, fielding email and phone call questions from promoters and competitors, promoting competitions, writing articles for Fitness & Physique Magazine, or judging, Reemo is always working on something. The OCB wouldn’t be the same without Reemo. Oh, and he also managed to compete a few times too with two 2^nd place pro finishes and an overall pro title!

Planned presentations for this year's Annual OCB Awards are:

(Taking place in conjunction with scheduled OCB events)

April 18th in Carver, MA - James Carron

May 2nd in Baltimore, MD - Muskee Books, Neal Grossman and Richard Herskovitz

May 9th in Orlando, FL - Nicole Weeks

May 16th in Richmond, VA - Jill Vadala and Kareem Petteway

June 27th in Southington, CT - Butch Paradis and Theresa Evans

Pending - Saiid Tejan-Kamara and Aram Hamparian