{"id":49332,"date":"2021-06-23T13:03:44","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T17:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=49332"},"modified":"2021-06-23T13:03:51","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T17:03:51","slug":"east-lee-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-award-gala-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2021\/06\/east-lee-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-award-gala-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"East Lee County Chamber of Commerce holds Award Gala 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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An evening of steak dinners and crystal stars highlighted the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala Saturday at the Plantation Golf and Country Club, marking the chamber’s 58th anniversary and honoring teachers and public servants for their community contributions during last year\u2019s pandemic. The gala also recognized the chamber\u2019s success as it works to realize a post-pandemic future as a South West Florida presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What began as the sprawling Lucky Lee Cattle ranch of the 1950s has now developed into a viable civic, social and economic gateway to the area\u2019s future, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s award,\u201d said Michael Welch, Chamber chairman of the board, takes the \u201cshape of a crystal star.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is what every teacher here is,\u201d Welch said, \u201ca crystal star.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 130 people attended the 19th annual Gala that included a silent auction, dinner, entertainment and the awards presentations honoring area teachers and others such as firefighters, deputies, municipal, community and chamber members whose contributions have helped to realize the gala\u2019s theme, \u201cThe Future is Here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe future is here,\u201d said Nancy Williamson, gala chair. \u201cWe\u2019re so over the whole COVID thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re ready to start over and start moving forward.\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his remarks, Welch said teachers were honored for their outstanding contributions to their students, schools and community. What stood out during their nomination process, Welch said, was the re-occurrence of words such as inspiration, leadership, wisdom, friendship and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat came to us was that our teachers, public servants (and others), all practiced something called the little way,\u201d Welch said, based upon the practice of the late 19th century nun. St. Th\u00e9r\u00e8se of Lisieux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe little way,\u201d Welch said, \u201cis that the value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that life in that place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the gala, the 14 teachers and their respective schools displayed the range, depth and academic outreach of East Lee County education whether Harnes Marsh Elementary, Lehigh Senior High School, Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy or Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love my students,\u201d said Samantha Stafford, Harnes Marsh Elementary teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel very honored they would choose our school and support our students,\u201d she said. \u201cAfter all, it takes a village to raise a child and we need all the love we can get.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formerly known as the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, the organization was founded in 1962, and became a non profit in 1980. Almost two years ago, the name and logo was changed to reflect its regional growth with about 200 members as it has expanded into the Gateway Community and more of East Fort Myers, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a great chamber of commerce is to get more involved with the community, the people,\u201d said Robert Lambert, a Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy teacher and former chamber member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBusiness is good. It brings money in but you\u2019ve got to get the people together,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople make community. People make business. People is where it is at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting the areas\u2019 changes and growth, 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 the knowledge and expertise in helping realize the chambers mission to \u201cpromote and advance the economic, civic, and social growth of East Lee County.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honorees are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samantha Stafford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harnes Marsh Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert Lambert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Roberts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunshine Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian Adams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harnes Marsh Middle School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur Phillips<\/p>\n\n\n\n

East Lee High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miguel Cintron<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lehigh Senior High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura Robinson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alva School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Fine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lehigh Acres Middle School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christine Coleman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mirror Lakes Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karyna Sandin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lehigh Acres Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debby McLemore<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortuga Preserve Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Zeiher<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G. Weaver Hipps Elementary School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anselmo Solorzano<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varsity Lakes Middle School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. TEACHER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deborah Henry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veterans Park Academy for the Arts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Alexandria Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. FIRE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Javier Bermudez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AWARD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Larry Arfmann<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. MEMBER OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Jacobs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Small Biz\/LegalSheild<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. CHAIRMAN\u2019S AWARD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Susan Kostyk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kostyk Insurance Agency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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