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Chamber recognizes students, educators at awards luncheon

by

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Shelby County students and educators were recognized for their achievements at this month’s Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Awards were given for career ready students, college ready students, elementary educators and secondary educators during the chamber’s third annual Student and Educator of the Year luncheon on April 27.

Chamber president and CEO Kirk Mancer thanked the students for their hard work, noting that their efforts showed hope for the future.

“Our future is very, very bright if every student throughout Shelby County is like you,” Mancer said.

He also thanked educators for helping students excel and providing the tools needed for a strong workforce.

“Thanks to each and every one of you for what you do because you truly are developing our future,” he said. “So thank you very, very much.”

After all nominees were recognized, Emily Hill from Calera High School was named Career Ready Student of the Year, Peyton Strickland from Pelham High School was named Vollege Ready Student of the Year, Michelle Dunning from Oak Mountain Intermediate School was named Elementary Educator of the Year and Dawn Cabrera from Montevallo High School was named Secondary Educator of the Year.

The winners received a cash prize which was intended to go toward education or career preparedness for the students and toward classroom tools or continuing education for teachers, Mancer said.

Also at the luncheon, Mancer discussed the programs the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce has collaborated on. One was the third year of the Keeping it Real program, where chamber volunteers worked with ninth graders throughout the county and helped educate them on the impact of an education on their futures and financial responsibility.

“I am pleased to report that once again this year the feedback from students, teachers and the hundreds of volunteers who helped with this program has been extremely positive,” he said. “As a result, we will be planning for our fourth year for that program in the 2016-2017 school year.”

Mancer also said that this fall, the chamber will hold its second annual career awareness fair for 10th grade students. Students will learn about career opportunities as well as what local job opportunities are available.

“As the leading voice for business, both big and small in Shelby County, your chamber is engaged in these programs and collaborating with our partners in education for two very basic reasons,” Mancer said. “The first is to ensure our 1,000 investor organizations and businesses throughout Shelby County will have the qualified workforce they need in the future. And second, that all of our students know about the outstanding opportunities we have for quality employment right here in Shelby County.”

The full list of nominees included:

Career Ready Students

College Ready Students

Elementary Educators

Secondary Educators

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