GARNER—A member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame has earned a prestigious community service honor from his hometown.

     Tim Stevens, a member of both the NCHSAA and the National High School Hall of Fame and the long-time prep editor of the Raleigh News and Observer, will be presented with Garner’s most prestigious service award. The award is actually named for Tim’s father, James R. Stevens.

     Stevens will receive the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award on August 19, 26 years after its first iteration was first named after and presented to his father, an alderman serving 20 years between 1963 and 1987. The Hall of Fame prep sportswriter earned the honor in large part for decades of dedication to enhancing the performing arts in Garner, along with work through his church, Aversboro Road Baptist.

     He has written a number of plays for his church that have been produced and performed.

     Another achievement for Stevens has been starting Broadway Voices, a series that brings a few stars per year to GPAC for solo performances. The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County presented Stevens the Individual Supporter of the Arts Award after its first year in 2011. It has become an important part of the arts scene in Garner.

     Stevens also authored the special commemorative book celebrating the NCHSAA's 100th anniversary.