Charlotte was a sweet and gentle lady and an ardent believer in and supporter of the World Massage Festival. From the first Festival she attended in 2007, each year she registered for the next year's Festival before she left for home. In 2009, Charlotte and her husband, Hoot, attended as usual, participated in all our events and registered for the 2010 Festival before they left for home on April 27, 2009.

On July 14, 2009, Charlotte lost her battle with recurring breast cancer in her bones.

Charlotte was a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Nursing and accepted a commission as a U.S. Air Force nurse. She married her husband of 42 years, U.S. Air Force Colonel (retired) Byron R. "Hoot" Hooten while both were stationed in North Carolina. Charlotte left the service in 1970 prior to the birth of their first son. Hoot and Charlotte have two sons, Todd, who lives in the Washington, D.C. area and Josh who lives with his wife, Michelle and daughter, Ruby in Portland, Ore. The Hootens enjoyed a 30 year Air Force career serving at a number of U.S. bases, as well as in the Philippines, Hawaii and Germany.

Charlotte was a Red Cross volunteer with the Mobile Medic program at Hurlburt Field, FL and was nominated for the 1989 President's Volunteer Action Award.

In honor of Charlotte and her commitment to volunteerism, the massage profession and the WMF, we are awarding a fully funded package for the 2012 Festival. The award includes workshop registration, & perdiem of $75, for the 2012 World Massage Festival.

The winner will be randomly selected from those registered for this year's Festival and must be present at the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday evening.

There are no other requirements for the winner. It is our wish, and one that we believe Charlotte's big heart would share, that this scholarship will simply make life a little easier for one therapist.

Hoot will join us to honor Charlotte and to draw the winning name.

It is our hope that the winner of the Charlotte Hooten Scholarship will joyfully attend the 2012 Festival and celebrate Charlotte's life.

The 2010 Charlotte Hooten Memorial Scholarship Award Winner was Victoria Beales of Virginia. She received a certificate for a fully paid package for the 2011 Festival, including Registration, Lodging & Meals. "I am very honored and delighted that such a gift is bestowed upon me...and I seek to excel by improving the quality of life through therapeutic touch...body, spirit and mind.....Thank you again....Charlotte....may her spirit live on through my earnest development and growth.... Blessings of Love and Light"