Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a town of slightly more than 100,000 people on the Eastern side of Oklahoma, was historically known as the “City of Roses and Pure Water.”

Broken Arrow, which has grown dramatically in the past 25 years, still remains a place of beauty as the “City or Roses,” thanks to the dedication of volunteers such as Sharon Atcheson. Recently, at Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s 26th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration, Atcheson was awarded KOB’s Affiliate Champion Award for her work on various beautification projects for Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful (KBAB), an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and KOB.

Atcheson found KBAB in late 2014 and shortly demonstrated her leadership as a very organized and enthusiastic advocate for KBAB’s cause.

“It does not daunt her to take on a large task and accomplish it with aplomb,” said Peggy Striegel, board chair of KBAB and president of Striegel Advertising.

In particular, Striegel indicated, the KBAB has been very focused on beautification projects because Broken Arrow was officially declared a “City of Roses,” in keeping with its history. Atcheson, she added, deserves the credit for many of the roses in Broken Arrow.

Atcheson oversees the plantings with her group of rose gardeners on the Rose Committee at one of the city’s gateways, at 91st and Main. Roses adorn both sides of the street, having been beautifully planted along brick walls bordering either side.

This year, Atcheson added to her volunteer work the position of Chairman to Broken Arrow’s Bring Back the Roses Committee. As head of the Rose Committee, she managed last year’s Rose Festival without a hitch. She gathered enough volunteers to cover various portions of the day, dealt with the necessary permissions with the City, and saw to it that the Rose Art aspect of the program was handled with ease. The Rose Committee is partnering with the Tulsa Rose Society – a nationally-recognized group – to handle the rose entry part of the Rose Festival in 2017.

While Atcheson is a realtor by profession, Striegel said, “It would seem to most of us that her dedication to our cause prevails. She is also a very good contributor to our Board of Directors as well as our Operations Committee. We are all very proud of her and in fact thrilled that we were chosen for her many talents.”