The Littlefield Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture hosted its annual banquet on Feb. 26, 2026, and presented this year’s Blakey, Family, Man, Woman and Business of the Year awards.
Commencing the presentation at 6 p.m., attendees enjoyed catering from Loco’s Restaurant as the awards ceremony started.
Presented by Audrey Bussanmas, the Blakely Award went to Littlefield High School instructor Ray Vargas.
Unable to attend the banquet, Vargas received the award at the Littlefield School District Central Office before the ceremony.
Unbeknownst to him, Vargas’ family members, colleagues and close friends surrounded him in the room once he arrived. He remained shocked and emotional throughout the award presentation.
“They gave me a job that I don’t know that I deserve, but I really enjoy,” Vargas said. “The special kids; they’re all good and always help me out. I think it’s a lot better to give than to receive, and I’ve always learned that from parents, grandparents and bosses … thank you all very much.”
The Family of the Year Award was the next award presented by Sonny Bohannon. Presented to Bobbie and Johnny Jones, Jones family celebrated their lifelong dedication to community building and business ventures.
“Bobbie and I have lived here a long time, but we’ve built a lot of good relationships and raised our family here,” Johnny Jones said. “ We’ve met wonderful people here. It’s just a real privilege to live in Littlefield.”
“Thank you very much, I wasn’t expecting this,” Johnny Jones added.
Presented by Brandon Fennochi, the Woman of the Year award was presented to two women this year: Selena Ramirez and Ambrosia Simpson. Dedicated to serving passionate readers and the youth of the community alike, librarians Selena Ramirez and Ambrosia Simpson received the award on behalf of their efforts at the Lamb County Library.
“ We appreciate this award, and without our community and all of the people who come together and help us make things happen, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Simpson said, “and we love Littlefield and Lamb County.”
Presented by Sonny Bohannon, Dr. Rolando Rodriguez received the Man of the Year award. Throughout his schooling and during residency, Dr. Rodriguez remained dedicated to serving rural West Texas – a promise he continues to uphold today. “I’m blessed to have a wonderful team. We (not only) serve our patients, but our neighbors, our friends and our families,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “The thing about rural medicine is people say it’s very distant, you have to travel, but nobody talks about how close our relationships are. I think that’s what gives us strength.”
The final award, presented by Brett Brideweser, for Business of the Year, went to Pay and Save Ace Hardware. For the past 18 years, Pay and Save Ace Hardware served as a cornerstone for various premium products and community support.
“I’d like to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, families, and corporations that gave us this opportunity and the amazing employees I have,” Drew Clark said. “We’re where we’re at because of you, it’s you that comes into our stores.”
Clark maintained his gratitude for community members.
“There are times that we can’t figure out what a customer needs, and other customers say, ‘Hey, I know exactly what they need,’” Clark said. “That’s what builds this amazing community, and I’m very proud of it.”