Selfless cheerleader being honored
Viox has been awarded the Pellissippi State Community College 2022 Peggy Wilson Volunteer Alumni Award
One of Farragut’s most selfless and passionate cheerleaders is being honored for her limitless volunteer spirit.
Candace Viox, owner of Water into Wine bistro & lounge, has been awarded the Pellissippi State Community College 2022 Peggy Wilson Volunteer Alumni Award — named for fellow Rotary Club of Farragut member Peggy Wilson for her own contribution and service to PSCC as vice president and director of the Pellissippi State foundation.
The award, which “highlights an outstanding graduate in recognition of extraordinary service to the Pellissippi State community,” was sponsored and announced by Discovery Inc., a PSCC press release stated.
‘I was so thrilled for her but had no idea she had even been nominated,” said Wilson, who upon her 2017 retirement from PSCC was honored by staff by naming the new award for her. “Most times, I have not even known the award winner until the day of the ceremony, but I was so glad to find out it was Candace. “She has done a great job.”
Viox was notified in advance of the award, which was to be presented (today), Wednesday, April 20, in Hilton Knoxville Airport during the college’s annual Pellissippi Strong luncheon.
Wilson was planning to cheer Viox on during the award ceremony, as was Farragut Mayor Ron Williams, who had nominated her for the honor for the second year in a row.
Viox graduated from PSCC in 2014 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in business/hospitality management, which she said provided her the skills and knowledge necessary to open her own business she has been operating in Farragut for more than five years.
She also received associates’ degrees in culinary arts and marketing while a PSCC student.
While Viox has continued to give back to the college, speaking to hospitality management classes, she also advocated creating an entrepreneurship concentration within the college’s business program, which launched earlier this year.
“I love sharing about my industry to eager students who are considering hospitality management as their career path,” Viox said in the press release. “I am also grateful for the ears of the faculty and Pellissippi State president L. Anthony Wise Jr. when I shared my vision for an entrepreneurship program.”
She also has served on Pellissippi State’s Culinary Arts and Business/Hospitality Management advisory boards for several years.
In addition to working with her alma mater, Viox is the chair for Farragut Business Alliance and the Town Tourism Advisory Board and supports organizations, including Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries, Farragut High School, St. John Neumann Catholic School and Episcopal School of Knoxville.
Earlier this year, Viox, who lives in Farragut with her husband, Richard, also worked with University of Tennessee Extension Service to provide a course to young adults, Owning Life, at her business.
“I love my community,” Viox said. “It’s natural for me to give because God has blessed me with so much.”
In nominating her for the award, Williams said, “When a person can start from scratch and open the doors of a restaurant, then go through the pandemic with no layoffs and come out of it still working and still open, that means so much.
“Even now, with hiring difficulties all around, she has her family and friends pitching in and helping her stay open.
“She is an amazing role model and so worthy of consideration for this award,” he added.
“Especially after she worked with UT on that program earlier this year.”
Also honored during the same luncheon event was Powell High School algebra teacher and head track coach, Scott Clark, who received the PSCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award for his services and contributions in his community.
