Amherst Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Banquet

  • Amherst City Secretary, Rosa Angel, and Public Works Director, Richard Salazar report on Grant projects sought and awarded through the combined efforts of the cities of Amherst and Sudan on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Amherst City Secretary, Rosa Angel, and Public Works Director, Richard Salazar report on Grant projects sought and awarded through the combined efforts of the cities of Amherst and Sudan on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • The Senior Scholarship Awards for 2024 were awarded to (left to right) Amherst Seniors Dennys Reyes Torres and Maricella Celeste Gonzalez. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    The Senior Scholarship Awards for 2024 were awarded to (left to right) Amherst Seniors Dennys Reyes Torres and Maricella Celeste Gonzalez. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • The following were the winners of the raffle items. (Left to Right): The winner (3rd - 5th grade) of the bicycle donated by Proforma LaDuke, Brinn Redwine is the winner (1st - 2nd grade) of the†scooter donated by Texas Best Bean and Seed, the winner (Special Needs Kids category) of one of the sensory toys baskets donated by Valley Ag Electric, and Rosendo Alcaraz IV is the winner (kindergarten and under) of the water table donated by Ramage Funeral Directors. (Photos Courtesy of Olton Chamber of Commerce)
    The following were the winners of the raffle items. (Left to Right): The winner (3rd - 5th grade) of the bicycle donated by Proforma LaDuke, Brinn Redwine is the winner (1st - 2nd grade) of the†scooter donated by Texas Best Bean and Seed, the winner (Special Needs Kids category) of one of the sensory toys baskets donated by Valley Ag Electric, and Rosendo Alcaraz IV is the winner (kindergarten and under) of the water table donated by Ramage Funeral Directors. (Photos Courtesy of Olton Chamber of Commerce)
  • Amherst Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Banquet
    Amherst Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Banquet
  • Jennifer Sawyer President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce welcomes guests of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Jennifer Sawyer President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce welcomes guests of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • Ms. Kaci Morris from the office of Congressman Jodey Arrington was the Keynote Speaker for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Ms. Kaci Morris from the office of Congressman Jodey Arrington was the Keynote Speaker for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • Alumni from the 1985 and 1986 classes of Amherst High School were recognized at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Amherst School Cafeteria on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The classmates were celebrating a reunion after 40 years. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Alumni from the 1985 and 1986 classes of Amherst High School were recognized at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Amherst School Cafeteria on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The classmates were celebrating a reunion after 40 years. (Photo by Ann Reagan)

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual banquet at the Amherst School Cafeteria on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Special guests for the event the Amherst High School graduating classes of 1985 and 1986.

Graduates of the class of 1985 included Brian Brownlow, Michele Gage Stinson, Carolyn Price, and Sharon Johnson. Graduates of the class of 1986 included Doug Hufstedler, James Tomes, Barry Johnson, Andy Cruz, Lupe Rodrigues, Todd Carpenter, David Cruz and Joyce Jones.

Chamber President Jennifer Sawyer greeted all guests and directed everyone to proceed to the serving line of the buffet style meal catered by Wright’s Smokehouse BBQ.

Following the meal and visitation, Chamber President Jennifer Sawyer introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, Kaci Morris, the District Field Representative for the Office of Congressman, Jodey Arrington. Mrs. Morris represents Congressman Arrington for nineteen counties in the South Plains. She confessed that she never aspired to assist a congressman; on the contrary, she actively resisted the notion. Though she did “help out” the Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce from time to time.

The folks representing Congressman Arrington eventually wore down her resistance, and she has worked for Congressman Arrington for the past four and one half years. Mrs. Morris’s family resides in Muleshoe and their main focus was raising, training and selling horses. Her experience for the past four years has connected her to the people of the South Plains whom she appreciates and plans to continue as an aid for Congressman Arrington.

Following Mrs. Morris’s address, Amherst City Secretary, Rosa Angel, and Richard Salazar, Public Works Director, presented an update on the Amherst City Park Project and other projects. She stated that the city is steadily getting closer to raising the money necessary to obtain the grant for the state of the art playground structure. She announced upcoming fundraisers including a Hamburger Supper in the near future. She explained that the council decided the community would benefit more by building a permanent recreational facility than by simply purchasing a slide and some swings.

Ms. Angel then explained the corroboration with the neighboring Sudan Community has been beneficial in the process of applying and acquiring grants for much needed projects including new fire hydrants (some of those replaced dated back to the 1920’s), new water wells, new generators, and recently, a Solid Waste Grant in a joint project with the city of Sudan to obtain a Vermeer chipper and a front end loader.

The cities were also awarded grants for a mini dump trailer, a Stryker Cot for the ambulance, and a Lucas Chest Compression system for the ambulance.

Following the presentation by Ms. Angel and Mr. Salazar, Senior Scholarship Awards were presented to Amherst High School seniors Dennys Reyes Torres and Maricella Celeste Gonzalez.

In her introductory speech Kimberly Brantley stated “Jan Miller has been one of the most steadfast supporters for the city of Amherst and has served the community in more ways than anyone can count. No matter what she was doing, she would come as soon as she could get wherever she was needed. She just never learned how to say “no” or I’m too busy”. Jan Miller has a deep love and commitment for her community.

The Citizen of the Year Award for 2023 was presented to Jan Miller. Jennifer Sawyer presented Jan with a beautiful handmade wooden plaque.