Tucsonans brought home eight of the 15 awards that were handed out Nov. 19 at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix.

The “academy awards”-style ceremony sponsored by the Arizona Technology Council in partnership with the Arizona Department of Commerce, honored individuals and companies that demonstrate excellence for technological innovation.

Southern Arizona award-winners were:

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• Universal Avionics Systems Corp., 3260 E. Universal Way, won two awards: Pioneering Innovation and Innovator of the Year among large companies. It manufactures avionics systems.

• General Plasma Inc., 546 E. 25th St., was named Innovator of the Year among small companies. It has developed technology for efficient solar panels to be produced at lower cost.

• Ronald E. Shoopman, president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, received the William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year award.

• Ronn Schott, executive emeritus with the Arizona Technology Council, received the Chairman’s Award.

• Ebaa Al-Obeidi, a student at Canyon Del Oro High School in the Amphitheater Public Schools District; and Michael Wallace, a student at Tucson High Magnet School in the Tucson Unified School District, received Future Innovator of the Year awards.

• Michael Frank was named Teacher of the Year. In his more than four years at Empire High School in Vail Unified School District, Frank has taught nearly every science subject offered.