Published: April 9, 2014 | Last Modified: April 9, 2014 11:14PM

MERIDEN — The Midstate Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce, presented its yearly business and individual awards at its 118th annual meeting at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel Wednesday night.

In the business category, Wallingford’s Gaylord Specialty Healthcare and Meriden’s Roman Oil received the chamber’s large and small business leadership awards. The chamber recognized Gaylord for being in business since 1902 and attaining a 96 percent patient satisfaction rating and Roman for its multigenerational tenure and its philanthropic and service contributions to the area.

Owner Julie Roman thanked her customers and staff, as well as fellow honorees and chamber colleagues. All of the organization’s members are united in a shared goal to better the local community, she said. “Together we’ll be stronger,” she said.

The chamber also presented Meriden’s LaRosa Building Group with its first annual innovation award, which celebrates industry leaders who have done something new, extraordinary or groundbreaking. LaRosa’s construction portfolio ranges from airport terminals to hospitals to affordable housing complexes. The company has $30 million worth of projects underway.

Two individuals were honored by the chamber in 2014. Ninety-two-year-old George Hamrah was given the 22nd annual Community Partnership Award for his longstanding career as a local business owner and community leader. Hamrah, who is known for being a strong proponent of the state and its sports teams, also got citations from U.S. Sens. Christopher Murphy and Richard Blumenthal.

Meanwhile, Spanish Community of Wallingford Director Maria Harlow was given the inaugural Excellence in Education Award. Chamber member Peter J. Escobar, who presented the honor, cited a “suite of diversified educational programs” she has instituted at SCOW, including the Escuela Guadalupana de Music music academy and the renowned Mariachi Academy of Connecticut performance group, programs that partner SCOW students with those of Choate Rosemary Hall and the Wallingford STEM Academy, which SCOW operates collaboratively with Wallingford and the state.

“This award is not really for me,” Harlow said, sharing credit with an “amazing group of people who have a lot of enthusiasm to improve the lives of Latinos living in the area.”

Several high school and college students from the area were also recognized. Four were recipients of the Sanford S. Shorr Education Awards, whose namesake was the chamber’s executive vice president for 29 years. Receiving the awards were Ohio State University student Joseph Jones and graduating seniors Deanna Scotto of Mercy High School, Michaela Blain of Platt High School and Sharisma Morales of Wilcox Technical High School.

Two students received the chamber’s Hispanic Outreach Leaders in Action award, Maloney High School’s Francisca Fontanez and Rebekah Hall. Maloney’s Alyssa Sweigard was given the Young Business Leaders of Connecticut Award.

Chamber members also unanimously approved a nominated slate of officers, including Thomas J. Welsh as chairman, Richard Pendred as vice chairman, Ron Dagan as secretary and Francis Barillaro as treasurer.