Rotary Club hosts Luncheon for Administrative Professionals Day

The Littlefield Rotary Club held their Annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon on April, 26, 2023 at the First Baptist Church MAC building.

Professional Administration Professionals or Secretary Day recognizes the professionals who keep an office running smoothly every day. It is usually observed on Wednesday of the last full week in April of each year. The day recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals who are central to any business or organization. The theme of the event was “You Are A Vital Piece of the Puzzle”. Complimentary puzzles commemorating the luncheon were placed at the tables.

The welcome was presented by Kathy Shipp. Blake Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Tanner Wilson, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Littlefield, gave the Invocation. Kathy Shipp then called upon Jason Hunter to lead a recitation of the 4-Way Test.

Special guests were recognized including the Governor of District 730, Casey Morris; Superintendent of Littlefield Independent School District, Mike Read; 154th District Judge, Scott Say; Lamb County District Attorney, Rickie Redman; Lamb County Clerk, Tonya Ritchie; Lamb County Judge, James DeLoach; and District Clerk, Debbie Long.

Many local businesses donated door prizes and decorations for tables. Among the businesses who donated to the event, and other organizations that were represented at the event were: Lamb County Leader- News, Lamb County Electric Co-Op, First Federal Bank of Littlefield, Texas Rotary Club of Littlefield, Charles Starnes, Select Milk Producers, Littlefield Independent School District, Lamb County offices, Lance Insurance, Bi-Wize, Elaine Aragon, Farmers Lunchbox, Rickie Redman, Jolanta Smyda, B & C Pump & Machine Works, First Baptist Church Littlefield, and Shawna Wagley Hastings.

The catered meal was provided by Locos Restaurant of Littlefield.

Following the meal, Kay Franklin introduced the guest speaker for the event, Angela Carter of the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas. Angela Carter serves as the College & Young Adult pastor for the Aldersgate church. Her motivational presentation encouraged all present to strive to become the person who will inspire, guide, and encourage others to succeed, and, in turn, serve others in the same manner.

Lori Zinn and Lupe Rodriquez then held the drawings for the door prizes which were generously donated by businesses and individuals of Littlefield and Lamb County.

This year, two very special women were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Rotary Club, and First Federal Bank. The Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for exemplary Administrative Assistants.

Dezi Vargas, President of First Federal Bank, presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Mrs. Elvira Vargas, and Ms. Yvonne Maxfield. Lupe Marquez presented the award for Administrative Professional of the year to Mrs. Terri Hanna.

Elvira Vargas is a lifetime resident of Littlefield and a graduate of Littlefield High School. In 1973 she was hired as a file clerk at First Federal Savings and Loan. In 1978 she married Ray Vargas and they have raised two children, Dezi Vargas and Heather Vargas Castillo and her husband, Ignacio Castillo. They have one grandson, Vincent Castillo. She has volunteered in many organizations when her children were small. She also served as an administrative assistant for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Littlefield where She and Ray have been members for many years.

In November of 2023, she will celebrate 50 years of service at First Federal Bank, formerly known as First Federal Savings and Loan. She has earned many titles throughout her career, and now serves as the Corporate Secretary for the bank. Mr. Vargas stated “She is best known for her diligent work and honesty-two character traits that have earned her many successes. First Federal Bank customers could rest easy knowing the loan operations of the bank were tended with great care, ensuring their loan records were safeguarded by the best. When her name is called, she stands ready to help. Fifty years of service is unmatched by many.”

Yvonne Maxfield is a lifetime resident of Amherst, Texas and a graduate of Amherst High School. In 1949, she married Leroy Maxfield and together they raised two sons, Sammy and Rodney. She has four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She has volunteered on countless committees and boards over the years. She is a lifetime member of the Methodist Church in Amherst, Texas. She helps organize many events for her church and the Amherst Community.

In May of 2023, she will celebrate 43 years at First Federal Bank, formerly known as First Federal Savings and Loan. Her career began with a teller position at Security State Bank in Littlefield. In 1980, she began her position as the lobby teller at First Federal Bank. Management encouraged her for years to take on different responsibilities, but she always declined. Mr. Vargas stated,“She feels best at serving the public from the teller line.”

Dezi Vargas, President of First Federal Bank, in presenting her award, stated, “Her grace and wisdom is unmatched. Most of all, she sets the highest bar for all who know her. She leads by example. She compromises her character and truth for no one. She is a certain disciple of Jesus Christ, and if you know her, you know just that.”

Lupe Marquez presented the 2023 Administrative Professional of the Year Award to Terri Hanna. She stated “Terri has worked for Lamb County for 45 years and she has dedicated more than just time to the county.”

Before introducing the Administrative Professional of the Year, Lupe Marquez expressed: “How honored I am to be amongst the company of all of you, the Administrative Professionals.” She then stated, “There is a scripture that says: God will put people in your life for a reason. Ms. Yvonne Maxfield for over 30 years, Ms. Elvira Vargas for at least 50 years, and our Professional Administrator for over 45 years. I am blessed to say that I have had the pleasure of knowing the ladies honored today most of my life.”

Terri Hanna was raised in Amherst, Texas. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1979. Her parents were Jimmy and Gayla Cowan who are both deceased. She has three sisters, Tammy McDaniel and her husband, Mike, who have two sons Shane and Tyler; Tracy Simmons and her husband, Dan who have two daughters, Jasmine and Sydnee; and Tina Lowe who has a son, Jake, and a daughter, Alexis. She loves sports and follows all her nieces and nephews either by watching online or she travels to their activities whenever possible.

She graduated from Amherst High School in 1979. She got her first job at the Lamb County Courthouse in July of 1979 as a secretary in the Juvenile Probation Office. She lived in Littlefield from 1982 until 2001. While working full time, she attended South Plains College to pursue an Associates Degree in Administrative Secretarial courses. She graduated from South Plains College in May of 1989. In December of 2001, she married Matt Hanna, who serves as the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 in Lamb County. She and Matt reside in Sudan, and are members of the First Baptist Church of Sudan.

Terri stated that “when she started at the courthouse almost 45 years ago that she would go full circle. I have gone from being the youngest employee of the Lamb County Courthouse to the employee who has worked there the longest time.” She has served all five Juvenile Probation officers who have ever served Lamb County.

In presenting the Administrative Professional of the Year Award to Mrs. Hanna, Lupe Marquez stated, “Throughout the years, she has dedicated more than just time to the County’s Juvenile Probation Department. She is the hardestworking person I know. She coordinates all the details throughout the courthouse that keeps the Juvenile Probation office running. She does everything with a smile and her door is always open. I cannot express how much she is needed and how much of an asset that she is, not only to our department, but to everyone who knows her.”