Each year, Mt. Hood Rock Club honors an outstanding member (or couple) as our Rockhound of the Year (RHOTY) in recognition of their dedication and contributions to the club. This award is part of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Club’s Rockhound of the Year (ACROY) program, which allows clubs to celebrate their unsung heroes—those who go above and beyond to support club activities, share their knowledge, and strengthen our rockhounding community.
Honorees are chosen based on their impact and involvement. Their name and a brief write-up are submitted to the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies (NFMS), where they are recognized with an official certificate and featured in the federation’s publication.
Additionally, Mt. Hood Rock Club awards the Rockhound of the Year with a scholarship to the annual Rockhound Retreat at Camp Hancock—a week-long immersive learning experience focused on lapidary arts, including cabochon making, faceting, silversmithing, and more.
Our club could not exist without dedicated volunteers, and this program is a simple yet meaningful way to celebrate the members who make our club great!
2025 MHRC Rockhounds of the Year:
Becky Nixon & Chad Summerhays
Becky Nixon and Chad Summerhays were selected by the 2024 club president as our 2025 Rockhound(s) of the Year. Becky and Chad go above and beyond to support the club. They attend every sale, work day, and club event, tirelessly contributing from setup to teardown. As active participants in club field trips, they are always ready to lend a helping hand. Becky serves on the greeting and membership committee, and recently joined the Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term, while Chad ensures meetings run smoothly by arriving early to handle everything from tech and sound to tables, equipment, and furniture. Their contributions also extend to the Columbia-Willamette Faceters Guild, where Becky serves as treasurer and Chad volunteers as a faceting instructor.
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