The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers.
The business organization installed its new officers and feted the best teachers, law enforcement, firefighter and Chamber associate and member, as well as the extra special Heart of Lehigh Acres.
As far as the awards, one teacher from each of Lehigh’s 11 schools was selected as a teacher of the year. They were:
– G. Weaver Hipps: Daisy Aceves
– Harns Marsh: Maria Lisa
– Lehigh Elementary: Brittany Winschell
– Mirror Lakes: Adrienne McArthur
– Sunshine: Bonnie Bondurant
– Tortuga Preserve: Drew Coffman
– Veterans Park Academy for the Arts: Iris Naranjo
– Lehigh Acres Middle: Alana Smith
– Varsity Lakes Middle: Michele Shaw
– East Lee High School: Kristin Stevens-Hendrick
– Lehigh Senior High School: Jessica McElroy
Alana Smith said she teaches all students and works wherever they need her.
“After 12 years of teaching, I am thrilled, completely shocked and so amazed that people are giving me compliments and it feels so good to make s difference,” Smith said.
The Chamber also recognized first responders and Chamber members. They were:
– Law Enforcement Officer: Joshua Roedding
– Firefighter: Byrne Gribbin
– Employee Performance: Jeffrey Copping
– Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District: Chad Hacke
– Chamber Associate: Marolyn Waline
– Chamber Member: Fred Elliott
– Heart of Lehigh Acres: Al DeLeon