The Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held its annual awards banquet Thursday, January 16, at the Desert Rose. Sergio Leal served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, Jettfire Barbecue provided the meal, and Steve Friskup was the guest speaker.
Chamber manager Bernadette Bradley welcomed guests to the banquet, followed by chamber board president Chris Cage who visited with the crowd about Muleshoe and the chamber. Keely Bass serves on the chamber board as the vice-president, Bryton Steinbock is the secretary, and Jackson Myers, Kim Griffin, James Rincones, Hadley Boehning, Cheyenne Cage and Tessa Goodling are board members.
Sergio Leal was then introduced as the master of ceremonies, and he announced the nominees and winners of the annual awards given each year by the chamber.
Individuals and businesses who have made contributions to the community are recognized every year. First on the list was naming the Man of the Year.. Nominees included Stacy Conner, Kenneth Henry, Curtis Shelburne, James Rincones, Dennis Fleenor, Lanny Trussell, Scott Miller, Gary Hooten, and Jeremiah Murillo. Kenneth Henry was the winner. Kenneth is pictured here with his nephew, Larry Martin, and board member Chris Cage.
Woman of the Year nominees were Annette Orcutt, Jim Ella Clemmons, Rhonda Myers, Madeline Hettinga, and Dani Heathington. The winner was Jim Ella Clemmons, shown here with her husband Tyrome.
Youth of the Year nominees were Aubree Peralez, Donavan Moreno, Nathan Martens, and Hayden Burris. Donavan Moreno was named Youth of the Year, here with his parents Johnny and Daniella Moreno.
Employee of the Year nominees included Val McCamish, Samantha Reyna, Annette Orozco, Thelma Castillo, Leobardo Chagolla, Armida Avila, Jennifer Vasquez, Mary Espinoza, Randy Bilis, and Roy Martha. The winner was Val McCamish, accompanied by her children Julia and Carter. Her husband Darryl was unable to be in attendance.
Businesses of the Year nominated were Western Equipment, El Manantial de Sabores, Robert Lepard DDS, Bamert Seed, Fry N Cox, Muleshoe Coffee, Ellis Funeral Home, Mohawk Auto, Farm House Flowers, Leal’s, and the Desert Rose. Mohawk Auto was named Business of the Year, represented by Lynn and Jimmie Kay Moore.
Farm Family of the Year nominees were Bamert Seed, Hettinga Dairy, the Chris Cage family, the JD Cage family, the Jay Cage family, the Brett Bamert family, and Jordan Pool. Since the three Cage families comprise the Cage Cattle Company, it was named Farm Family of the Year. The Cages, left to right, are Jay and Susan, J.D. and Julie, and Chris. His wife Cheyenne was busy when the picture was taken.
Keynote speaker Steve Friskup then gave the audience an entertaining and inspirational talk.
James Rincones then brought the audience up to date on the Ride for the Brand, the branding iron that is auctioned off each year to raise scholarship money for Muleshoe High School students. Steve Friskup served as auctioneer, and Julie Cage won the auction with a bid of $3,500 for the branding iron. She will keep the branding iron till next year’s banquet when it will be auctioned off again.
Bernadette ended the banquet thanking everyone for coming and encouraging all to come again next year.
Terry Brewster took pictures of the award winners and candid shots of the evening as well as individual and group photos of anyone wanting a memento of the night. I was unable to attend this year, and Terry graciously shared her pictures of the award winners with me. So, all photos are courtesy of Terry Brewster at Reflections in Time which can be found on Facebook.
For more news of events and information about what’s going on in Muleshoe, check the chamber’s website at www.Muleshoetexchamber.com and their Facebook page at Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Their new office number is 806-272-5873.
Thanks to Bernadette Bradley and Terry Brewster for their help with this story.
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