An evening of steak and crystal star dinners marked the annual East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf and Country Club, marking the chamber’s 58th anniversary and honoring teachers and officials for their contributions to the community during last year’s pandemic. The gala also recognized the chamber’s success as it strives to achieve a post-pandemic future as a Southwest Florida presence.
What began as the sprawling 1950s Lucky Lee Cattle Ranch has now grown into a viable civic, social and economic gateway to the region’s future, officials said.
“This year’s prize”, said Michael Welch, chairman of the House board, takes the “crystal star shape.”
“That’s what every teacher here is” Welch said, “a crystal star.”
About 130 people attended the 19th annual gala which included a silent auction, dinner, entertainment, and awards show honoring area teachers and others such as firefighters, MPs, city, community and community members. room whose contributions helped to realize the theme of the gala, “The future is here.”
“The future is here” said Nancy Williamson, president of the gala. “We’re so on top of the whole COVID thing. “
“We are ready to start over and move on. “ she said.
In his remarks, Welch said teachers are being honored for their outstanding contributions to their students, their schools and their community. What came out of their nomination process, Welch said, was the reappearance of words such as inspiration, leadership, wisdom, friendship and love.
“What came to us is that our teachers, civil servants (and others) all practiced what is called the little way”, Welch said, based on the practice of the late 19th century nun. Therese of Lisieux.
“The little path” Welch said, “It’s that the value of life does not depend on the place we occupy. It depends on how we occupy this life there.
At the gala, the 14 teachers and their respective schools showcased the range, depth and academic scope of East Lee County education, from Harnes Marsh Elementary, Lehigh Senior High School, by Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy or the Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.
“I love my students” said Samantha Stafford, a teacher at Harnes Marsh Elementary School.
“I am very honored that they choose our school and support our students” she said. “After all, it takes a village to raise a child and we need all the love we can get.”
Formerly known as the Grand Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, the organization was founded in 1962 and became a non-profit organization in 1980. Almost two years ago the name and logo were changed to reflect its regional growth with around 200 members as it expands. in the Gateway Community and over East Fort Myers, officials said.
“What makes a great chamber of commerce is to get more involved in the community, the people”, said Robert Lambert, professor at the Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy and former chamber member.
“Business is good. It makes money, but you have to bring people together,” he said. “People make the community. People are doing business. People are where they are.
Reflecting the changes and growth of the regions, the chamber installed at the gala three new board members: Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Collier County Commissioner Burt Saunders and Ruth Anglickis, Community Leader and pioneer in the development of Lehigh Acres. The three were selected for their knowledge and expertise in helping to achieve the mission of the Chambers to “to promote and advance the economic, civic and social growth of East Lee County.”
“I hope everyone here tonight will join me in an I Care program”, said Anglickis, president of Landex Resorts International. “I care about East Lee County. I care about schools, children and the community. I care about the people who make Lehigh a place where a handshake is a lasting friendship.
The winners are:
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
1. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Samantha stafford
Harnes Marsh Elementary School
2021
2. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Robert Lambert
Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy
2021
3. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Erin roberts
Sunshine Elementary School
2021
4. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Brian adams
Harnes Marsh College
2021
5. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Arthur phillips
East Lee High School
2021
6. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Miguel Cintron
Lehigh High School
2021
7. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Laura Robinson
Alva School
2021
8. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Marry well
Lehigh Acres College
2021
9. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Christine coleman
Mirror Lakes Primary School
2021
10. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Karyna sandin
Lehigh Acres Elementary School
2021
11. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Debby McLemore
Tortuga Preserve Elementary School
2021
12. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Zeiher
G. Weaver Hipps Primary School
2021
13 TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Anselmo Solorzano
Varsity Lakes College
2021
14. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Deborah Henri
Veterans Park Academy of Arts
2021
15. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Assistant Alexandria Davis
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
2021
16. FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Javier Bermudez
Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District
2021
17. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AWARD
Larry Arfmann
Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District
2021
18. MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Michael jacobs
Go Small Biz / LegalSheild
2021
19. PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Susan kostyk
Kostyk Insurance Agency
2021
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