A couple of cakes were dropped, and an earring misplaced, but most will agree that the Fairfield Chamber’s Mardi Gras Awards Banquet was a marvelous affair.
The rooms shined with royal colors of green, gold and purple, as did the evening’s attendees. Festive attire included masks, feather boas, and even one local celebrity sported a King’s crown.
In keeping with the night’s theme, dinner included a delicious fare of baked chicken, sausage, red beans & rice, with cornbread muffins and cheesecake for dessert.
As folks gathered, jazz favorites were performed by members of the Corsicana String Orchestra Lite.
Lee Loveless Photography manned a complimentary booth, offering picturesque mementos of the evening.
The annual Awards Banquet, hosted by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, seeks to celebrate and honor the best of our community. Several young presenters were included this year, having the special privilege of announcing awards for their grandparents.
Small Business of the Year was presented to Creations Flowers & Gifts, owned by Gail Farish. Her handiwork was visible to all, as this business owner had completed decorations for the banquet event.
The award was presented by her granddaughter, Emma Joe Smith. The young lady listed the many community programs her grandmother was involved in, stating, “She has made an impact on all of us.
Farish was quick to express her appreciation to her partner in crime, Janis Glass.
Business of the Year was presented to The Depot X and owner, Paul Kennedy.
Presenter Dwayne Somerville said it was his great pleasure to bestow the award on someone who worked hard, doing “so much for so many years.”
Mr. Kennedy graciously donates his facilities for the chamber banquet each year, as well as hosting many other community organizations in their fundraising efforts.
Civic Organization of the Year was presented to Fairfield Police Association.
The Association has worked to foster a connection between the Police Department and the community through National Night Out events, the Blue Santa Toy Drive, sports sponsorships and youth scholarships.
Presenter Albert Gallegos, Sr. outlined the group’s goal of becoming bigger and better than ever, in 2018. “Together, united, we can all win,” he said.
Accepting of behalf of the organization were Fairfield Police Officers, Albert Gallegos, Jr. and Rodney Price.
Citizen of the Year was presented to Pastor Robert Paul Smith of River of Life Family Worship.
An excited presenter, Theresa Farris, described her friend as a “First Responder in every sense of the word.”
No job is too big, or too small, for this hard worker, according to Farris. His biggest accomplishment was in securing 2.8 Million pounds of food to those in need.
Pastor Smith is also known for his over-the-top celebrations – such as the church’s egg hunt and nativity drama – which are open to everyone in the community.
Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to everyone’s favorite volunteer, Bettye Trask.
Lovingly presented by her grandchildren, Spain and Loressa Covert, the award celebrated a model of unceasing service by this Fairfield woman.
Trask is known by many community organizations as the first to volunteer, and the last to leave, where ever there is a need.
She received a standing ovation for her dedication to her hometown.
Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Amy Newman (right) by Chamber Vice-Chair Gail Farish.
Teacher of the Year awards were presented to four outstanding instructors, one for each Fairfield ISD campus.
Presented by Superintendent Tony Price, these teachers were described as committed and passionate. All have spent their entire teaching careers at FISD.
This year’s recipients are:
–Elementary School – Donna Show – ESL teacher
–Intermediate School – Courtney Burgess- 5th grade Science
–Junior High School – Lisa Dotson – 6th grade Science
–High School – Kristen Dunlap – Pre/AP Biology
Also presented by Mr. Price, Student of the Year was awarded to Britanni Oglesbee.
On track to becoming this year’s Valedictorian, Oglesbee is described as a leader with both passion and compassion.
Two special awards were also presented during this year’s Chamber banquet.
The “All-Around Great Guy” Award was presented to an all-around lady, Chamber Executive Director, Brenda Pate.
Presenter Bettye Trask described her as someone who always helps, is a friend to everyone she meets, and works hard to make Fairfield look great.
“I could not do this without Lisa [Schick] and everyone that helps,” declared Pate.
A special trophy for the #RockInFairfield project was presented to Gabby Duke.
The Rock Project — which kicked off during the July 4th Celebration — involved hiding and finding painted rocks throughout the Fairfield community.
It is a simple way to spread encouraging messages, and to promote local businesses by posting pictures online with the hashtag.
“This young lady stood out,” said presenter Gina Martin.
Per tradition, twenty cakes (cookies, and scones) were donated for auction by Chamber members. Many featured luscious and intricate decoration.
Auctioneer James Grant encouraged the crowd to bid early, as he predicted that prices would only continue to go up. Indeed, nearly half the cakes either met, or exceeded, last year’s most expensive delicacy.
Proceeds benefit Chamber activities throughout the year.
Best Dressed Award went to the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, Buzz Russell and Vanessa Smith. (Photo at top)
Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s banquet a success.
2018 Chamber Board:
Chair – Josh Bayless, Vice Chair – Gail Farish, Treasurer – Gina Martin, Secretary – Patty Pratt, Directors: Averie Grant, Libby Harris, and Brenda Finley; Admin. Assistant – Lisa Schick and Executive Director – Brenda Pate.
2018 Ambassadors:
Amy Freeman, Bettye Trask, Karen Leidy, Landis Bayless, Mary Small, Kris Simmons, Daniel Stauffer, Jim Watterson, Keith Daniel, Lea Anne Somerville, Rachel Glander, Julee Emmons, Lesa Martin, Sid & WA Davis, Kim Bishop, Debbie Wilson, Amy Willard, Sherry Current, Rachel Middlebrook, Ronnie Miller, Elizabeth C. Ferrari, Nicole Ramirez & Josh Belile, Jason Pate, Peyton Daniels, Chloe Sifford, Morgan Coleman, Randy Martin, and Russell Gilbreath.
FISD “Teachers of the Year”
High School Campus – Kristen Dunlap – Pre/AP Biology
The high school teacher of the year is Kristen Dunlap. Kristen teachers Biology and Pre-AP Biology along with serving as the campus technology director. She is a great example of a professional who continues to learn and advance herself along with her fellow educators.
She has spent extensive hours creating new activities that incorporate biology and technology all for the purpose of enhancing student learning. She constantly supports the students, faculty and her own educational plans by searching for and applying innovations in education.
Kristen is a graduate of SMU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and has a Master of Art in Teaching Science from the University of Dallas.
Kristen is married to Craig Dunlap and they have three children who attend Fairfield ISD; Rebecca a tenth grader, Nathan an eighth grader and Carolyn a fifth grader.
Junior High Campus – Lisa Dotson – 6th grade Science
Fairfield Junior High’s Teacher of the Year for 2017-18 is Mrs. Lisa Dotson. Mrs. Dotson has been a professional educator for 26 years and is currently teaching 6th Grade Science.
Mrs. Dotson is a very active teacher/leader on campus. Over the years she has served as a peer mentor, the 6th grade lead teacher, the campus Science coordinator, and she has been active with the Inter-Act Club.
Mrs. Dotson does a tremendous job of developing positive relationships with her students and provides an exceptional learning environment in her classroom. Mrs. Dotson was selected as Teacher of the year by her peers and she is very deserving of this award.
Mrs. Dotson and her husband Jerry have one daughter, Kendall who is an admissions counselor at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Intermediate Campus – Courtney Burgess- 5th grade Science
Courtney Burgess is the FIS Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018. Courtney is the daughter of Clint and Teresa Sutton of Kirvin. She is a 2005 graduate of Wortham High School, and she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2009.
In 2015, she completed her Master of Education in School Counseling degree at Lamar University. Courtney has been married to Craig Burgess for 7 years. They have a 3-year-old son, Heston, and Baby Burgess #2 on the way.
Courtney has been employed with Fairfield ISD for all of her teaching career – 8 years total. Her coaching and teaching subjects have included math, reading, language arts, science, and physical education. Her first 5 years in FISD were spent at the junior high, and this is Mrs. Burgess’ third year at FIS.
She was selected as teacher of the year by her peers, who respect her talent and commitment. Courtney demonstrates her beliefs daily. She knows that kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, so she strives to make personal connections with each student to let them know how much she really cares about them and their success in the classroom.
Her goal is that each student is confident that she has a genuine interest in them as individuals. She believes that every student is capable of learning – maybe at different speeds or in different ways – but it is the job of educators to make sure every student shows signs of growth.
Courtney’s goal is to create life-long learners. She wants every child to fall in love with learning. She believes that teaching life lessons to students is just as important as teaching content. “It doesn’t matter how much science students know if they can’t be honest, hard-working, and productive adults in society.”
She strives to teach them basic morals, such as “never give up”, “always do your best”, and “take responsibility for your actions.”
Mrs. Burgess’ favorite quote about teaching: “Teaching: You laugh, you cry, and you work harder than you ever thought you could. Some days you are trying to change the world, and some days you’re just trying to make it through the day. Your wallet is empty, your heart is full, and your mind is packed with memories of kids who have changed your life. Just another day in the classroom.”
Elementary Campus – Donna Show – ELS teacher
She was born in Fairfield and her parents are Samuel Shaw and Frances. She graduated from Buffalo and went to work on the McSwane Ranch for the next 12 years. She enjoyed the great experience of working a large and challenging enterprise.
However, she had a yearning and desire to go to college and earn a degree. In 1999, she began night classes at Navarro and following completion of an associate degree, she pushed forward at Texas A & M University Commerce to complete a degree and become certified to teach Pre-K through fourth grade.
Donna was hired at Fairfield Elementary school in 2006 and started her exciting and challenging career as a English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. It is the role of this teacher to support kids with limited English skills, so they can be successful in education skills that require English.
Donna has learned that teacher is very rewarding, but the rewards are not always “measurable”. Teachers help share the world, giving the knowledge to success in life, and hopefully inspire them to see things in difference points of views.
She has an enormous about of patience and a great sense of humor. She is honored and blessed to have a career that reaches out to touch that miracle called the individual human being.
FHS “Student of the Year”
The outstanding youth of the year is Ms. Britanni Oglesbee. Britanni is a senior who is on track to graduate as Valedictorian of the Class of 2018.
Britanni is actively involved in UIL Academics. In the last two years she has advanced to the Regional Meet in three different journalism events and placed fourth last year in Editorial Writing.
Britanni presently is the Editor-In-Chief of the school newspaper, The Eagle Beat. She is also very active in the Interact Club, a service organization for school students sponsored by the Rotary Club.
She also serves as the President of the Fairfield High School Art Club.
Britanni is the daughter of Vance and Angela Oglesbee and has an old sister, Anna Marie.
