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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; It wasn&rsquo;t a conventional award-show experience, but the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce&rsquo;s annual EPIC Awards definitely lived up to its name.
				Three prominent local women were honored with awards on Tuesday night as the Chamber set out to honor local individuals that best live up to the &ldquo;EPIC&rdquo; name &mdash; Extraordinary People Inspiring Community.
				Traditionally, the EPIC Awards bring together the area&rsquo;s best and brightest under one roof. COVID-19 concerns dashed the Chamber&rsquo;s original plans, but an audible was called: Small watch-parties were organized at a few local spots around Wilkes-Barre, including Cork Bar & Restaurant, Rodano&rsquo;s and the Westmoreland Club.
				The award show was livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube to each of the various locations, where the winners watched with pride along with friends and family.
				Mary Kolessar, the executive director of DiscoverNEPA, was honored with the Innovator of the Year Award. Lissa Bryan-Smith, the Vice President of Administration for Geisinger Central Region, took home the Volunteer of the Year Award and Ruth Corcoran received the Athena Award, annually given to a woman who has personified the highest level of of excellence in her business or profession.
				&ldquo;I&rsquo;m still in disbelief, and I&rsquo;m so honored,&rdquo; Corcoran, the President of Corcoran Communications and a former owner of Cork, said while watching the ceremony with her family at Cork. &ldquo;I think that this is an award that women strive for.&rdquo;
				The three winners were originally announced on July 15 at a meeting of the Chamber&rsquo;s Women&rsquo;s Network. Tueday&rsquo;s ceremony mainly featured remarks from Chamber members and other prominent members of the community, heaping praise on the three award recipients.
				A number of former award winners were on hand as well.
				&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so happy we made all this happen this year,&rdquo; said Elizabeth Graham, who received the Athena Award in 2009. &ldquo;These little gatherings are really nice, and Ruth, Mary and Lissa deserve the recognition for all they&rsquo;ve done.&rdquo;
				Bryan-Smith accepted her award at the Westmoreland Club.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s so easy to get involved and volunteer around here,&rdquo; Bryan-Smith said. &ldquo;I was shocked to hear my name called.&rdquo;
				A former Athena Award winner herself in 2012, Bryan-Smith was on the panel for this year&rsquo;s award, and had nothing but praise for Corcoran.
				&ldquo;Ruth has been doing incredible work for so long, sometimes it goes a little unnoticed,&rdquo; Bryan-Smith said.
				&ldquo;They said it in the video, and it&rsquo;s true: she&rsquo;s a silent leader.&rdquo;

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Honorees gather for virtual celebration of EPIC awards