Several Magic Valley and Wood River Valley organizations and individuals have been honored by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.

They were honored during the ninth annual Governor’s Brightest Stars Awards ceremony at Boise State University on Nov. 10.

Smith Sport Optics, Ketchum Kitchens and MBT (Masai Barefoot Technolo-gy), all of the Wood River Valley, were honored in the business category.

The David Ketchum American Legion Post No. 115 in Ketchum won Organization of the Year for contributing countless hours of community service to soup kitchens, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organizations. Other organizations honored included the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Girl Scout Service Unit No. 21 in Sun Valley, the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center in Twin Falls and the CSI Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s transportation program.

Vera C. O’Leary Middle School in Twin Falls was among the schools honored.

Twin Falls students honored were Austin Dobbs, Dylan Dobbs, Sierra Norman and Hosanna Kabakoro. Also honored were MacKenzie Ingraham of Jerome, Amara “Amy” DiFrancesco of Sun Valley, and Ashton Lupton and Dakota Barnes of Hailey.

Individuals honored were Michelle Lucas of Twin Falls, Gloria McCuistian of Jerome, Ruann Meade and Kathee Clark of Kimberly, Sun Valley Assistant Police Chief Mike Crawford and John O’Connor of Sun Valley.

Also recognized was the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, an endeavor that was pitched for the area by Sun Valley residents Jim and Pirie Grossman and hosted by hundreds of volunteers in Sun Valley, Boise and McCall.

The awards are presented by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, in partnership with Boise State University’s Service-learning Department. Sixty-seven individuals and groups from across the state were recognized for their volunteer efforts.

“Given the size of our valley, we rocked the state of Idaho,” said Cindy Jesinger, whose daughter, DiFrancesco, was highlighted among the students.

Barnes and Lupton did more than receive accolades. They nominated seven Wood River Valley and Twin Falls individuals and organizations for helping them earn their Girl Scout Gold Awards, the highest honor given to Girl Scouts.

Barnes nominated those who helped her put on a breakfast for 100 police officers who participated in a Special Olympics torch run before the World Winter Games.

Lupton nominated several individuals and organizations for helping her put on a hamburger and hot dog feed for Special Olympians from New Zealand who came to Sun Valley before the games started as part of a cultural exchange program.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to acknowledge the people who’d helped us,” said Lupton. “Sometimes a simple thank you is not enough.”

“It’s an awesome way to recognize businesses that are so giving and don’t normally get much back,” added Barnes.

Karen Bossick may be reached at kbossick@cox-internet.com.