Ted Moses High Hat Award

Ted Moses High Hat Award

Description:  The High Hat Award is given by the PWEA in honor of Ted Moses, the first Secretary of the Association. This is a service award given to members who have distinguished themselves while working to promote the Association and its programs. The original High Hat, purchased in a Philadelphia pawnshop in 1935, is the Association's most prized and priceless possession.  Pennsylvania started the High Hat Society in 1937.  The names of past recipients are lettered upon the hat, and the annual ceremony accompanying the presentation of this award has become a tradition at the PWEA Annual Awards Banquet. Because the original high hat had no additional space for award recipient's names, Ned and Marti Sams purchased a second high hat. The Sams' have graciously donated this second hat to the Association so that the names of future award recipients will also appear on a High Hat.  In 2023, the second high hat is filled and has no additional space for award recipent's names.  Michael Sassaman purchased a third high hat and storage case.  Michael Sassaman, who has been the presenter of the High Hat Award for a number of years, graciously donated the third hat to the Association so names of future awardees could appear on a High Hat.
 
Award Criteria:  Recipients must be a current PWEA member in good standing who have distinguished themselves through the promotion of the Association and its programs. Typically, four (4) High Hats are awarded. One from each of the three Sections and one At-Large. A WEF Representative attending the Awards Banquet should generally also be awarded as the Awards Committee deems appropriate.
 
Eligibility:  Section nominees must also be members of one of the three Sections.  In order to receive this award, the nominee must be inducted into the Ted Moses Sludge Shoveler's Society.  This induction normally happens annually at the PennTec Awards ceremony.
           
Nomination Process:  The Section Awards Committees are responsible for submitting two nominations to the PWEA Awards Committee; one for the Section Award and one for the At-Large Award.  Nominations for the At-Large Award may also come from the Association membership. The Awards Committee is responsible for making final selection of award recipients.