The Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture hosted its annual Roots and Wings Banquet, which simultaneously honors the community’s fundamental roots and aspirational dreams of the future.
Sixty chamber business partners were honored, including Anna’s Kitchen, Smiley Farms, Xcel Energy, Runningwater Drawcare Center, Atmos Energy, McFadden Grain, Lamb Healthcare Center and many more.
Commencing the banquet, Analise Ramage, a Sue Cannon Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Ambassador, led an opening prayer.
“The Olton Chamber is blessed with the members that have supported us throughout the year,” Brice Redwine, Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s President, said. “It means so much to us that you come out and help us celebrate the community of Olton that we all dearly love.”
A prize drawing followed Redwine’s opening remarks.
Attendees received the opportunity to enter a drawing to win $25 Olton Bucks, a gift certificate applicable to Olton’s Chamber business partners. Four winners received this prize.
Introducing the event’s emcees, Redwine read the bios of the two chamber ambassadors participating that evening.
Sarah Chavira, also known as the Sandhill Sweetheart, is an ambassador, a youth group member at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and a Special Care worker at the Running Water Draw Care Center. She is pursuing her education through the Texas Tech K-12 program and aspires to receive her Associate’s degree in fine arts.
Issac Florentino is another ambassador involved in organizations like the National Honor Society and Snack Pak 4 Kids. Additionally, Florentino participates in powerlifting and track.
Chavira previewed the musical performances at the event, which included elementary student performers, various high school band members and local community members.
Leading the first performance of the banquet, Sonshine Preschool teacher Toni Meredith performed a song titled “Fly” alongside her 11- year- old daughter, Evylen Meredith.
Evylen Meredith said she possesses many interests, including caring for her guinea pig and horses; however, her newest hobby is playing the guitar, which she played for the first time on stage that night.
Toni Meredith then performed alongside another student, 11year-old Lucy Carroll. The two performed “In The Stars.”
Lucy Carroll said she loves performing and singing for others and is learning how to play the guitar, eventually wanting to sing and play the guitar at the talent show this year. Caroll also plays on the Olton Youth Basketball team.
Honoring the city officials in attendance, Chavira gave a shoutout to the local and neighboring city officials present.
These individuals included: Mayor Mark McFadden, City Council members Alan Williams and Derek Roberson, City Manager Keeley Adams, postmaster Cherie Maddox, Lamb County Clerk Rene Treviño, Lamb County District Clerk Debbie Long, Lamb County Treasurer Jerry Yarbrough, Lamb County Tax Assessor Tammy Kirkland, Lamb County Judge Court Coordinator Christine Ponce, Lamb County DA Victims Coordinator Lori Zinn, Lamb County Sheriff Garry Maddox and two Plainview Chamber of Commerce members, Tonya Keesee and Phyllis Wall.
Florentino then honored the current Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Board of Directors: President Brice Redwine, Vice President Kori LaDuke, Josue Pedroza, Secretary Carla Canchola, Brittney Redwine, Laurey Riney, Kyle Stevenson, Eric Williams and Trevor Spain.
Honoring the most recent office manager, Florentino thanked Shay Holman for her dedication over the past year as the organizer for various Olton events and the chamber’s needs. Wesley Quigley additionally received thanks for his involvement in the banquet.
With Holman stepping down from her position, the Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is looking for a new office manager. Interested applicants may apply on the chamber’s website. Next, two HP Webb Elementary students, Emilie Gonzalez and Hannah Nelson, recited readings for attendees.
Gonzalez said she enjoys reading and sharing her poems with others and finds oral reading fun. She aspires to work as a teacher, like her mom and wants to tell people about Jesus as a preacher, like her dad.
Nelson enjoys participating in oral reading with her friends and wanted to try it because of her older brother, Wyatt. She said she wants to work as a baby or surgical nurse, but most definitely not as a nurse for older people when she grows up.
Once more, Toni Meredith sang. This time, alongside Olton ISD’s Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Robyn Stevenson. The two performed “Daughter of a King.”
After these performances, the candidates running for the Board of Regions were presented. As of March 1, six candidates sought election: Adriana Amador, Jessica Hernandez, Jay Lopez, Toni Meredith, Wesley Quigley, and Colleen Wilson.
Additional candidate submissions remained open until March 4. Voting closed on March 13.
Ambassador Liason Nikki Smith then honored Olton’s Sue Cannon Ambassadors. This program offers leadership opportunities to local junior and senior high school students.
The junior ambassadors in the program include Valeria Avendano, Amie Beelitz, Chris Cabrera, Sarah Chavira, Gabby Florentino, Diana Holguin, Brennen Meredith, Yanette Oliva, Arianna Olivas and Kambri Ruiz. The senior ambassadors are Harry Amador, Issac Florentino, Avery Garcia, Raegan Holmes, Wyatt Nelson, Elijah Perez, Analise Ramage, Jimena Sanchez, Adrienne Struve and Ryan Vega.
Valeria Avendano is involved in the National Honor Society and is the Junior Class President.
Amie Beelitz is involved in volleyball, tennis, track and the National Honor Society.
Chris Cabrera is involved in the National Honor Society, Student Council, varsity football and varsity tennis.
Gabby Florentino is involved in the National Honor Society and school sports.
Diana Holguin is involved in UIL, the Art Club, the Spanish Club, and the National Honor Society.
Brennen Meredith is involved in One Act Play, Band, and the National Honor Society.
Yanette Oliva is involved in the National Honor Society and Spanish Club.
Arianna Olivas is the Vice President of the National Honor Society, President of the Student Council and a class officer. Olivas is also involved in band and cheer.
Kambri Ruiz is involved in the National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, tennis and Student Council.
Harry Amador is involved in track and cross country.
Avery Garcia is involved in football and tennis.
Raegan Holmes is the Vice President of the Student Council and Vice President among the class officers. Holmes is also in the National Honor Society, cheer and band.
Wyatt Nelson is involved in FFA, basketball, and football.”
Elijah Perez is involved in football, golf, band and the National Honor Society.
Analise Ramage is a class officer in the National Honor Society, Student Council, basketball, volleyball, tennis and sports medicine for football and baseball.
Jimena Sanchez is in the Art Club and Spanish Club.
Adrienne Struve is involved in the National Honor Society, volleyball, Student Council and tennis.
Ryan Vega is involved in varsity football, basketball and tennis.
Olton High School’s 10 brass choir members – Brennen Meredith, Maleena Chia, Magaly Rios, Colby Burns, Melany Alvarado, Alexander Rodriguez, Aiden Marmalejo, Zachary Magallanes, Emilio Reyes and Cadon Garcia – performed the final musical number of the event, “The Whaling Song.”
Additionally, a trombone trio comprising Elijah Perez, Casimiro Villarreal, and Josiah McCullough performed “Old Tyme Songs.”
Concluding the banquet, the winners of the Outstanding Citizen Awards received their honors.
McFadden Grain, Velvet and Michael McFadden, won the Business of the Year Award.
Jimmy Brooks Won the Citizen Through the Years Award.
Nikki Smith won the Woman of the Year Award.
Aaron Rejino won the Man of the Year Award.
Bobby Wayne Workman won the Educator of the Year Award.
Mark Romero won the Support Staff of the Year Award.