Chamber honors Selvidge

Former mayor Tex Selvidge was honored by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce with the 2014 Saints’ Roost Award for his lifetime of service and commitment to the community during the annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday, February 12.

Man of the Year honors went to Jacob Fangman, and Denise Bertrand was named the Woman of the Year.

Selvidge grew up in Stinnett and joined the Clarendon College family in 1965. He served several positions but is best known for his two-decade stint as Dean of Students, until his retirement in 1998. Through the years he also ran a small business on Kearney Street, served as an adult probation officer, and has been elected to public office.

Selvidge is currently a member of the Clarendon College Board of Regents, but his first experience in politics was with the city. He first served on the Clarendon Board of Aldermen in 1976 and later served two stretches as mayor from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1997 to 2006. He served more time as mayor than any other person since the city was incorporated in 1901.

“I’ve always felt like if you’re going to live somewhere, you ought to give something to it,” Selvidge once said, and he has given Clarendon and Clarendon College more than it can repay.

The Man of the Year for 2014 is Jacob Fangman; and while he hasn’t lived in Donley County very long, he’s already made a name for himself as a go-to guy when help is needed. He moved to Clarendon in 2013 and has been active in practically every community event since then, serving in whatever capacity is needed. He’s a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and the Clarendon Economic Development Board and volunteers with any Lions project and has been a tremendous help with the Mulkey Block Party. He is always pleasant and friendly. He helps where ever he can with St. Mary’s Catholic Church and also helps with the College Ministry on Wednesday nights. Last year, he helped with July Fourth, the chili cookoff, and the courthouse lighting committee.

Denise Bertrand is the Woman of the Year for 2014 and is a life-long citizen of Donley County. In addition to many years serving with the Firebelles, she is known for her work with the Girl Scouts and with St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 2010, she led a Tourism Committee and worked with NewsChannel 10 to put on the Summer Celebration. Later that year, she was elected to serve as the Justice of the Peace for Precincts 3&4. In late 2013, Bertrand presented a vision to then county judge Jack Hall and the Commissioners Court later gave her the approval to pursue that goal. Throughout 2014, she led a the Courthouse Lighting Committee as it raised funds and then executed a plan to put more than 10,000 lights on the trees on the Courthouse Square, making a huge impact on the holiday season, and laying the groundwork for bigger and better things to come.

The Chamber also recognized outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley.

The Young Woman of Year from Clarendon is Abby Johnson, the daughter of Scotty and Tina Ferris. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is a member of the CHS student council and has participated in UIL spelling and received Honor “C’s” in French, History, Physics, Algebra, and English. She’s on the honor roll and has participated in band for 4 years. This year she was named to the Senior Honor Band. She’s been a Bronco cheerleader for 4 years and served as head cheerleader. She’s a regional and state qualifier in both track and cross country. Our Young Woman of the Year attends the Church of Christ and gives back to her community through various community service project including the student council’s MS Walk and as a the Sweetheart of the Clarendon Lions Club.

The Young Woman of the Year from Hedley is Kortney Burton, daughter of Blain and Tonya Burton. She’s been active in the One Act Play and National Honor Society. She’s played doubles tennis and received Academic All-District and Fighting Heart honors in basketball. She has been a class officer all four years in high school, was Hedley’s Homecoming Queen this year, and was recognized for having the prettiest eyes her junior year. She has helped with Hedley’s annual chicken barbecue and annual food and toy drives. She can always be seen with her constant companion, KorKee, a seizure alert service dog; and she is a person that young and old look up to as a role model. Our Young Woman of the Year from Hedley is.

The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon is Charles Mason, son of Ronda and Wes Williams. He has been involved in Boy Scouts, advancing to the BSA’s second highest rank of Life Scout, and he has been a member of the CHS Student Council for 4 years, serving as an officer and taking part in community service projects. He’s been very involved in Bronco football, basketball, track, and baseball for 4 years, received All District honors in football and basketball, and was named the Amarillo Globe News Football Player of the Week. He was a state qualifier in the long jump, and he attends the First United Methodist Church youth group.

The Young Man of the Year from Hedley is Wyatt Wheatly, son of Andy and Connie Wheatly. He has been involved in FFA for four years, showing animals and serving as a member of the state qualifying Plant ID team his freshman year. He participates in UIL events, qualifying for regional in History his junior year. He plays football and golf and has been a regional qualifier in tennis and received all district honors in basketball and served as basketball team captain. He’s been a class and FFA officer, and every year helps with the Hedley chicken barbecue, the food drive, and hauls wood for the elderly.

The theme of this year’s Chamber banquet was “Clarendon: Sweetheart of the Panhandle,” and 189 people attended the event at the Bairfield Activity Center. That’s up from 130 last year.

Dr. Don Newbury was the speaker for the evening and blended humor with the message of the importance of giving back to the community. Tables were sponsored by Clarendon College, Clarendon Family Medical Center, The Clarendon Enterprise, Herring Bank, the Hitchin’ Post, and L&L Tax Service. Dr. Newbury selected the Enterprise table as the best table decoration reflecting the banquet theme and the business. The award was then named The Ashlee Cup.

This year’s corporate sponsors were Best Western Red River Inn, The Clarendon Enterprise, Don Stone Signs, Greenbelt Rural Electric Cooperative, GreenLight Gas, HH&R Services, Lowe’s Family Center, and Pioneer General Contracting.

Chamber board members this year are President Roger Estlack, Vice President Derlene Graham, Manager Bonnie Campbell, Bob Weiss, Sharon Braddock, Kim Fowler, Cobette Riza, Tammy Jordan, and Lana Ritchie.