SUPPORTERS OF AVC TO BE GIVEN HONORS.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - Five longtime supporters of Antelope Valley College will be honored at the college's 2006 Achievement Awards dinner at 6 p.m. April 6 at the Essex House Convention Center, 44916 10th St. W.

The awards, which recognize individual achievement in five categories, were created in 2004 as part of the college's 75th anniversary celebration. The dinner is sponsored by AVC and the Antelope Valley College Foundation, the college's official fundraising arm.

Honorees are John Currado, Distinguished Alumni Award; Tim Fuller, Community Service Award; Michael R. Adams, Public Service Award; James R. ``Coach'' McCutcheon, College Service Award; and Dr. Gilbert H. Snow, Professional Achievement Award.

Currado is a 1968 AVC graduate who has worked for 33 years as an agent and personal financial representative for Allstate Insurance. He has been involved in West Lancaster Rotary, Antelope Valley College Foundation, United Way, Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce, Alpha Charter Guild and others. He also served for 11 years in the Navy and California Army National Guard.

Fuller is an Antelope Valley native who co-owns H.W. Hunter Inc., which comprises Hunter Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Five Star Autobody and Five Star Cars. He spent 13 years with the Peace Corps, including working as deputy director for the Peace Corps' Latin America and Caribbean region, before returning to the valley in 1997. Fuller has been involved in the Antelope Valley Economic Alliance, Sheriff Boosters, Showdown Rodeo, Professional Bull Riders, Kiwanians Livestock Auction, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Lancaster West Rotary and American Cancer Society.

Fuller currently serves as director of the Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce and is a member of several of chambers of commerce, including Palmdale, Greater Antelope Valley, Quartz Hill and Hispanic. He is on the executive board of directors for the Antelope Valley College Foundation and the Lancaster West Rotary Club. He is a member of the AVC Citizens Oversight Committee for its construction bond spending and serves on the board of directors for the Southern California Chrysler-Jeep Dealers Association.

Adams served for eight years as a trustee on the college board. During his tenure, voters approved a $139 million bond measure for AVC. Adams works as housing manager for the city of Palmdale. He spent eight years as an officer in the Air Force. He has been active in the AVC Foundation, Marauder Club, Century Club, Lancaster Veterans Home Citizens Committee, American Legion, United Way and Red Cross.

McCutcheon, 82, was a coach at the college during the 1950s in football, basketball and baseball and was credited as a major influence in the lives of student athletes. McCutcheon's former students include attorneys, educators, doctors and a state senator, Dave Cox, R-Roseville. McCutcheon came to what was then Antelope Valley Junior College as a coach in 1952. After leaving the valley, he continued coaching for several more years at the college and high school levels before becoming an owner and trainer of thoroughbred racehorses.

Snow has worked as an orthodontist in the valley since 1971, growing his practice into a staff of more than 30 dental professionals and three associate orthodontists. Snow is the founder of the Hi Desert Children's Dental Clinic, which provides free dental care to low-income youngsters. Snow and other dentists provide help to about 200 children annually. He also provides 10 $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors planning to enter the health field.

Anyone interested in attending the dinner should call the AVC Foundation, [phone].