Alexander, Rector named Woman & Man of the Year
Woman & Man of the Year, Chris Alexander & Rickey Rector
The 62nd Annual Friona Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Awards Banquet was held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Friona Community Center. The Banquet began with a welcome by Chamber President Kathy Rector, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scout Troop 5171, and the Invocation given by Jeff Procter. The meal was steak with all the trimmings. Cargill donated the steaks, Xcel Energy did the cooking, and the Girls Scouts, 4-H kids, and TYA kids did the serving to around 270 attendees. After the meal, the Chamber Board of Directors was introduced as well as other special guests.
A Live Auction was conducted by Jerry O’Connor from Hereford. He also served as a fire monitor when the Hi-Pro table caught on fire. As far as we know the county burn ban was not violated. Local volunteer fireman Stephen Campbell estimated that it is was a .025 alarm fire. About the same heat you would use to roast marshmallows. Both the Live and Silent Auctions were then closed. Next up was a greeting from Mayor Ricky White. He recognized Sharon White, Kitty Gallman, and Kathryn Goddard for their tireless work in raising funds for a new ambulance. Next was a performance from the 2017 Miss Friona Brooklynne Johnston. She sang a song about her brewing crush on a latte boy.
The highlight of the evening was the Awards Ceremony. Erika Carrillo was named Citizen of the Year, Martha Barker was named Employee of the Year, Amber Drake was Educator of the Year, and Brooklynne Johnston and Hadley White were named Students of the Year. Woman of the Year was Chris Alexander and Man of the Year was Rickey Rector. Recognition of the Silent Auction winners rounded out the festivities. Photos and more information about the Awards Banquet can be found in the Special Section of this week’s Friona Star.
