Wolfforth Chamber Celebrates Outstanding Individuals

The Wolfforth Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Awards Banquet on March 30 at Casey Professional Building and recognized many individuals, businesses and teachers who help make Wolfforth the place to be. The banquet, sponsored by Xcel Energy, began with show tunes performed live by members of the Frenship High School Choir. Catering by Aramark was enjoyed as the banquet kicked off with a short demonstration of the new website My Wolfforth News. My Wolfforth News is a project funded by the Wolfforth Economic Development Council and provides stories, calendars and current events for both the Wolfforth and Frenship communities.

The first Spirit of Wolfforth award was presented to Councilman David Cooper. David brought the idea of the Wolfforth Water Expo to the Wolfforth EDC last year and was the lead organizer for the event held last August. This event’s mission is to educate and inspire citizens to practice water conservation in their homes and businesses. The Expo included vendors and a popular kid’s area along with classes on rain water harvesting, drought tolerant plants, desalination and many other important topics. The Wolfforth Water Expo will be held again this year on May 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Frenship High School. Many thanks to David on his passion for teaching others to conserve our most precious resource.

The Wolfforth Fire Academy is a sought-after training facility for people from all areas of the South Plains whose dream is to become Fire Certified. The Fire Academy contributes personnel to the Chamber’s community events throughout the year. Harvest Festival and the Christmas Celebration could not be possible without the help from the instructors and students of the Wolfforth Fire Academy and the Chamber is honored to award them with the Spirit of Wolfforth award.

Fire Academy

The next award of the night was presented to two individuals who have both just completed serving on the Executive Board of the Wolfforth Chamber. Randy Hall and Henry High have been instrumental to the growth of the Chamber’s events over the last several years. Always the first to be there and the last to leave, their hard work and generous spirits are so greatly appreciated. Terri Robinette, Director of Marketing and Business Development says, “Randy and Henry are both amazing people. I can’t even describe the amount of work these two have done over the last four years to make every event we have hosted run smoothly. Their wives are always with us as well and so willing to help out and share their husbands’ time with us. This community should be proud to be the home of two men and we are going to greatly miss them on the Chamber Board.”

The 2014 Business of the Year will celebrate its one year anniversary soon. The Tech Cafe made Wolfforth its home in early 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. Owner Peggy Portillo works long hours to ensure a successful business. The customer service is phenomenal and the food is always delicious. We appreciate Peggy’s hard work in bringing her business to the center of the city. The Chamber congratulates Tech Cafe Wolfforth on their amazing first year and wishes Peggy and her staff many more successful years in the Wolfforth community.

Each campus of Frenship ISD submits a teacher nominee to the Executive Board of the Wolfforth Chamber. Principals are asked to write a short paragraph on the qualities that make their nominee successful in their classrooms. This year’s nominees included:

Haley Beardemphl – Crestview Elementary

Michelle Hiner – Westwind Elementary

Robyn Thornton – Willow Bend Elementary

Julie York – Bennett Elementary

Tawni Stockton – Oak Ridge Elementary

Kathy Kauffman – Legacy Elementary

Lara Nelson – North Ridge Elementary

David Biel – Heritage Middle School

Jeremy Fair – Terra Vista Middle School

Rosemary Couto – Frenship Middle School

Jami Hobgood – Frenship High School

Lynn Mills – Reece Education Center

The 2014 Teacher of the Year was Julie York from Bennett Elementary. Bennett Principal Michelle Elliott says, ” I believe her ability to know each child revolves around the fact she is quite persistent. Persistent in making time to have one on one conversations regarding student work. Persistent in making curricular decisions that tap into student passions, needs and choices…Julie York inspires me.”

Julie York

Final recognitions of the night went to the Chamber’s outgoing Board members Jake Mahan, Shea Katilus, Randy Hall, Henry High and outgoing President Joe Hanslik. Board members serve a three to four year term and president Joe Hanslik has served a two-year term as President and a four-year term on the Board. These individuals have given countless hours to this community and will be greatly missed by the Wolfforth Chamber.

Joe Hanslik

The 2015-2016 Executive Board consists of: Darrell Newsom (City of Wolfforth), Steve Deaton (Xcel Energy), Rich Jones (Wolfforth United Methodist Church), Richard Dean (Frenship ISD), Tiffany Robinson (Staples), Chelsea Salazar (People’s Bank), Heath Simpson (Frenship High School), Phillip Brown (Home Church), Nick Enns (Nick’s Seemless Gutters).

The Wolfforth Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture kicks off its 2015 events with the National Day of Prayer of May 7 at the Community Center in Patterson Park at 11:30 a.m. Look for other events throughout the year by checking out www.mywolfforthnews.com.