The Salem Chamber of Commerce Award Gala honored a number of businesses and individuals for their work in the community on Saturday.
A special award was presented to Produce Plus for all the help they provided to recent flood victims.
The Little Egypt CEO program received the Partners in Progress Award for its work in developing high school students into future business leaders. The award was presented to the facilitator of the program, Malory Crouse.
”We have juniors and seniors across all of Marion County. We cover six different high schools in the area. Students apply to be in the program, and throughout the course of the program, they do different group projects, we visit different businesses, and we have guest speakers. The students learn what it is to be an entrepreneur in our area. By the end of the year, they will create their own business, and they will be presenting their businesses at our trade show on May 14 to showcase what they have done.”
Crouse notes the students have started a variety of businesses. One of them, a DJ and Light Show by Kellen Bolen was on display at the Gala as he provided the music.
The new business of the year is Owens and Associates Insurance. Jayda Owens says she entered the insurance field full-time with her father, Troy, with the opening of their agency on East Main Street.
“We sell auto, home, life, and health insurance. We do all of it. We specialize mostly in work site benefits, but we do a lot of life and health. Not as much auto and home, but we do have it available too.”
Jayda Owens of Owens and Associates Insurance Agency is presented with the award for the New Business of the Year by the chamber’s Marcie Wallace. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The business of the year is Dairy Mart. The volunteer of the year is Meredith Fyke with the Salem Theatre Board. The Legacy Award was presented to Sharon’s Cafe, which will close with Sharon’s retirement at the end of this week and reopen soon as Bonnie’s Cafe.
The teacher of the year award was presented to Kendra Herman, a reading teacher in the upper levels of Raccoon Grade School.
Kendra Herman is named the chamber’s Teacher of the Year. The award was presented by Cherille Whitner (left) and Jillian Wilkins. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
“I started teaching in the city of St. Louis in my first ten years, then I got to come to southern Illinois. With that comes being able to coach scholar bowl. The last three years, I’ve had such a fantastic scholar bowl team at Raccoon, and I love my kids so much. I also love being able to teach reading and share that gift, something that I love to do, with all of my kids.”
Herman says it was also an honor to be nominated by some of her students.
Hermann was also one of three teachers to receive a Classroom Grant from the United Way. The other two were Denise McCormick of Hawthorn School in Salem, who plans to start a recycling program, and Michelle Murphy at Selmaville Grade School.
Teacher Grants are presented. Left to right: Chamber Past President Laura Doughtery, Hawthorn Grade School Teacher Denise McCormick, Natalie Shook of the presenting United Way, and Selmaville Teacher Michelle Murphy. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Salem Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year is Shaunna Winterhalter.
Shanna Winterhalter is honored as Salem Chamber Ambassador of the Year. Left to right are Allyssa Pinkston, Terri Mearns, Winterhalter, Chamber Executive Director Jessiycka Coleman, and Chamber President Siretha Howe. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Several businesses will be honored for their milestone achievements. They were the Amy Schultz Advocacy Center for 35 years, El Rancherito for 15 years, Gossett Printing for 30 years, People’s State Bank for 150 years, BNI (PRAISE) for 30 years, Rent One for 40 years, Somer Real Estate for 50 years, and Little Egypt Golf Cars LTD for 40 years.
The chamber also recognized non-profit partner organizations. They are the American Red Cross Blood Donor Program, the Amy Schultz Child Advocacy Program, BCS Sanctuary, Pregnancy Care Clinic, SAFE, Pawsotively Scrumptious Cat Cafe, United Way of South Central Illinois, Keep Salem Beautiful, and Salem Little League.
The Salem Chamber recognized several non-profit organizations for what they do in the community. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The event was held at the Salem Community Activity Center.
