Lora Swift received a standing ovation for her acceptance speech for the “Westsider of the Year” award. Weaving together various tidbits from famous speeches into her own story, she had audience members in stitches and loudly applauding by the end.

“We are the champions of the world,” she said, in closing.

Swift took the microphone at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, May 1.

“I am honored,” she said. “I am struck by the power of our community, our collective voice.”

Swift serves as executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association and has been a fixture in the community. The chamber recognized for her leadership at the nonprofit focused on building partnerships in the business community.

Husky Deli won “Westside Business of the Year.” Owner Jack Miller was out of town but sent a video message for the occasion.

“We’re really honored,” he said. “We’ve been here for 85 years, through the Depression, through the war, and we’re hoping to be here for another 85.”

Shandon Graybeal, owner of Alair Neighborhood Gift Shop, took home the “Westside Emerging Business of the Year” award. The chamber selected her for her efforts to give back to the community, especially for serving as a site for diaper donations for Westside Baby, pet adoptions, fundraisers for local nonprofits and pop-ups for artisans and local businesses.

The Senior Center of West Seattle was named “nonprofit of the year.” Executive director Lyle Evans recognized his staff and volunteers for growing the programs and offerings of the center over the years.

“Now people from their 20s to 90s keep the center humming,” he said. “There’s something for everyone at the Senior Center of West Seattle.”

Joe Fugere, founder of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, served as keynote for the event.

Introducing Fugere, chamber CEO Lynn Dennis said, “What I wanted to give you this morning was hope. I wanted to give you a light—and I found one.”

Fugere said he’s had a long romance with the neighborhood was where he first ate fish and chips and experienced his first bonfire, as well as first buzz from alcohol, first romantic kiss and first car accident.

“I am in love with West Seattle,” he said.

Fugere worked at Starbucks, before striking out on his own to open Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria. He recognized the risk in his decision. “There’s a high failure rate in restaurants,” he said.

He focused on pizza, which he said is one of the most popular foods in the country. “My heritage is Italian, and my grandmother used to complain about how bad pizza is in Seattle,” he said.

Fugere took that as a challenge. He moved to Naples for a month, where he became a certified pizza maker, before opening his first restaurant in Columbia City. Now he owns a number of locations around the city.

Fugere gave chamber members advice from his experience as an entrepreneur. “Every business has a recipe,” he said. “The ingredients are purpose, values and vision.”

He said his vision includes invigorating community, supporting employees and of course, building a perfect pizza.

Fugere serves as co-chair for Mayor Jenny Durkan’s newly created small business advisory council and offered chamber members to serve as a sounding board. “I’m what I call an accidental activist,” he said. “We will fight for you. We will be your voice. I can’t tell you how critical it is for us to have a voice, and frankly, I don’t think we’ve had one in a long time.”

For more information, visit www.wschamber.com.