Olton Chamber honors residents

Six of Olton’s citizens were honored Saturday night, during the March 6, 2021, Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s Fiesta! Banquet.

Nikki Smith, vice president ofthe Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, welcomed the guests, prior to the invocation by First Baptist Church Pastor, David Azam.

The Masters of Ceremonies, Giselle Gomez and Alec Pinkerton, members of the Chamber’s Ambassadors, were then introduced by Nikki Smith, and turned over to their duties.

Three Special drawings of names of Chamber business members, or individuals representing those businesses whose names were called, received Olton Bucks in $25, $50, and $100 prizes.

Entertainment

As everyone was eating their beef and chicken stir-fly meal, with all the condiments, entertainment was presented by three different performers.

Declan Lowe played two numbers on his violin, followed by Robyn Stevenson who sang “South of the Border”, to the accompaniment of Patsy Klein’s music; and “Vaya con Dios,” written by Larry Russell.

Shiloh Hamilton of Olton, a Wayland Baptist University Senior, and a piano student of Harold Dean Carson of Olton, played a couple of lively and enjoyable numbers on the piano.

Political Update

A special guest at the banquet, Kaci Morris, a field representative of U.S. Rep. JodeyArrington, gave an update on the activities of Rep. Arrington.

AWARDS

“Support Staff of the Year” Stacie Ramage introduced Kailey Ann Jones Harriss as recipient of the “Support Staff of the Year”.

Ramage mentioned that Harriss has been a pillar of support for her family, friends and customers of Fluerish Flowers and Gifts for several years.

“She is much more than just an employee and co-worker, she is a daughter, a granddaughter, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and a confidant to so many.”

“She grew up in Olton, where she was involved in various extracurricular activities, and graduated from OHS in 2011. She married in 2013, and welcomed her son in 2016. That year, she completed her bachelor’s degree from WTAMU, while still working in Olton.

“Later this year, the family will be welcoming a baby girl.

“She juggles many things, from working full-time, assisting with the family business, and being a wonderful mother and wife.”

Ramage concluded: “She demonstrates all the qualities of a supportie staff member and it is my pleasure to present this year’s award to Kailey Ann Jones Harriss.”

“Educator of the Year”

Rodney Smith, the 2020 recipient, introduced Jayde Neinast as the “Educator of the Year,” who cares about her students and their education.

“She is a fairly young teacher; however, she has ‘old “Fluerish Flowers & Gifts school’ ways, in that she runs a very strict and disciplined classroom. She has high expectations for her students, but treats them with much love and

“Her students, in return, love and respect her and even if they don’t realize it, they want and need the strict discipline that comes from her classroom.

“She also has the trust and respect of her administration and co-workers. She serves on the District Strategic Planning Committee, as well as the Social Committee.

“After she leaves the building for the day, she is a mother of three young children, at the ages of five and youger who tackles her mom duties at home.

“Her teaching excellence and dedication is shown in her students’ STAAR test scores, as they have met the ‘Masters grade level’ achievement every year.

She received her degree in 2014 from West Texas A&M, and has been employed by Olton ISD for seven years. She started by student teaching in fourth and fifth grade reading, and the following semester became fourth and fifth grade reading support teacher.

The next year she was asked to move down to second and third grade where she was a self-contained classroom teacher, and then as the Math support teacher for several years. She recently moved back up to fourth and fifth as the math teacher.

Rodney Smith concluded: “She is always willing to do what her adeministrators ask her to do for the betterment of the school and our students. Our “Educator of the Year” Award goes to Jayde Neinast.

“Business of the Year”

A representative of Fleurish Flowers & Gifts, the recipient of the 2019 Olton’s Business of the Year, introduced Michael and Stacie Ramage as the owners of Ramage Funeral Directors for this year’s “Business of the Year.”

“This community will never know about many of the things the business we come to honor tonight has quietly done, and this is especially true during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“This business is a ministry to this community, which serves so many people at one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“Purchased in 2007, this business also serves Springlake, Earth and northern rural Lamb County, as well as part of Hale County.

“The owners, Michael and Stacie, are both bi-vocational. One is a farmer, while the other is an educator. They have coached youth basketball and other sports, and the business has often sponsored teams.

“They are active Olton Athletic Boosters, as well as members of First United Methodist Church.

Each have served on governmental and civic organizations for the School Board, and Chamber of Commerce, assisting with their programs and projects.

The introduction closed: “Please join with us now as we show our appreciation for Olton’s Business of the Year for 2021 Ramage Funeral Directors, Michael and Stacie Ramage, owners.

“Woman of the Year”

Shelly Huguley, the 2019 recipient of the Woman of the Year Award, introduced Cindy Rusell as the 2021 “Woman of the Year” award to Cincy Russell.

Jocie Mandrell, last year’s recipient, said to tell you she’s sorry she couldn’t be here but she had another important engagement. She wanted me to share how honored she is to have been selected to be “Woman of the Year,” out of a great group of women.

Olton is a community that is blessed and enriched with wonderful women who play an integral part in making Olton a great place to live.

Thanks to community nominations, we get to recognize one of them each year at The Chamber of Commerce Banquet. I am honored to get to introduce the “2021 Woman of the Year.”

This woman has an humble spirit, a servant’s heart and a love for Jesus Christ that can be seen in how she loves and serves others.

She is a life-long Oltonite. Our “Woman of the Year” is always personable and caring. If she commits to doing something, she does it.

This woman has served the community through several jobs and volunteering.

She helped coordinate services for students at Olton ISD by working with the migrant personnel. She helped coordinate and locate funds to help families with utilities, school supplies, rent, gasoline, food, clothing, Christmas presents and indigent care for those who are traveling through town.

Our “Woman of the Year” is active at First United Methodist Church, where she was Secretary for many years. She also served as president of the missions committee, not only helping those in our community, but those beyond. She’s helped coordinage fundraisers for people in our community, scholarships for SonShine Preschool, and coordinate the Christmas Angels at the church. She also organizes the Operation Christmas ChildShoebox Ministry, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

She is part of the Praise and Worship Team at First Methodist, and also helps run the multimedia system.

Since 2014, Our “Woman of the Year” has been an EMT for Olton’s Volunteer Ambulance Association and is currently an EMT advanced.

She helped start Celebrate Recovery, a Christian-based 12-Step Recovery Program.

Her husband, Roger, received a kidney transplant, and in addition to caring for him, she maintained her volunteer work through this challenging time.

Our “Woman of the Year” goes above and beyond wherever she’s serving. The woman deserving of this award is Cindy Russell. Thank you Cindy for all you have done and continue to do for Olton!

“Man of the Year”

James Bass introduced Pastor David Azam as the 2021 “Man of the Year”. Last year’s recipient, Johnny Brooks was unable to attend the Banquet.

Bass began: “The man receiving this honor tonight is not from Olton, but has been here long enough now that we claim him as an Oltonite.

“He has been active in the Olton Lions Club for several years, and has served as the Lion Boss.

As a Lion, he is one of the most faithful members to help put out flags on holidays.

He was one of the founding members of the Snack Pack 4 Kids Committee that makes sure kids have food on the weekends. He also accepts donations.

He is very active with Olton Youth Basketball, and is an active member of the OYB Board.

He is known to be a master of running Facebook accounts for organizations. He creates flyers for events and publishes them on Facebook, and keeping the pages up to date for several community organizations.

He has also served as master of ceremonies a couple of times for the Chamber Banquet.

He’s good at public speaking so good that he does it for a living!

He was raised in Denver City and graduated from there in 1995, before going on to graduate from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in History. He then pursued a career in teaching and coaching.

After a couple of years, he answered the call to ministry and went back to Denver City to serve as their youth minister, while also earning his Masters of Divinity and Masters in Christian Ministry degrees.

He and his family moved to Olton in 2011, when he accepted the pastorate of First Baptist Church.

David and wife, Meghan have been married 19 years, and they are parents of three children: Brady, a sixth grader; Ella, a fifth grader; and Sadie, 20 months old.

Bass concluded: “Please help me welcome our “2021 Man of the Year”: David Azam.

“Citizen Thru The Years”

Rosa Garcia, the 2020 recipient, stood beside Christine Falcon, as she introduced Dewey Hukill as the 2021 “Citizen of the Year.”

Christine began: “Our citizen through the years is an (almost) life-long resident of Lamb County. He is a graduate of Olton High School and later married his high school sweetheart. They left Olton for a while and started a family before returning. All of their children graduated from OHS.

He became an active citizen, serving on the Olton Stock Show Board for 19 years, and also serving 21 years on the Board of Directors of Olton Grain Co-op.

He taught Sunday School class for Junior High boys in the 1970s for a period of time, and taught other groups later. He serves as director of the senior adult department since well before he was a senior adult. He is a long-time deacon and has served on almost every committee of the church.

He donateed land for the Olton Chamber of Commerce’s annual pheasant hunt fund-raisers, and has served as a guide.

He sponsored youth baseball and basketball teams over the years, and still serves on the Lamb County Appraisal Board.

He has served on the Lamb County Farm Bureau Board, and the Texas Farm Bureau Board.

He has also served on the board of the Runningwater Draw Care Center for 20 years, much of that as President.

He serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors, and on the Olton Economic Development Board.

He and his family have been honored as the Farm Family of the Year in 1981; the Man of the Year in 2006 by the Olton Chamber of Commerce; and the Olton Livestock Show was dedicated to him in 2007.

Christine completed her introduction: “This year’s citizen through the years, is husband to Pat, father of three, and grandfather of 10, Dewey Hukill.

New Chamber Directors

Before the banquet closed, three new directors were elected: Golby Garcia, Stacie Ramage and Bryce Redwine.

Benediction

Kambry Roberts, OCCA Ambassador, gave the Benediction.