BC Chamber presents monthly awards

Bridge City Business of the Month award

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce presented Bette’s Gift Shop and Boutique as the Business of the Month at the chamber’s monthly networking coffee held at Luv Lingerie located at 2215 Texas Avenue in Bridge City.

Owners Mike and Bette Smith rebuilt the former Hallmark store after Hurricane Ike. Bette strives to hire local people, further helping the community.

The shop is clean, vibrant, and is a pleasant atmosphere to shop locally. Bette carries a wide array of cards for every occasion: Jim Shore collectibles, jewelry, home décor, clothing and more. The shop is always decorated beautifully for every season. Bette’s offers the community one great place to shop locally.

Bette’s Gift Shop and Boutique is located at 2011 Texas Avenue in Bridge City.

Along with being a business owner, Bette also gives countless hours of her time and energy to the local community by being involved in chamber events, co-chairman of the Bayou Bowl Scholarship three years in a row and an Orangefield Athletic Booster Club member.

Bette received a plaque honoring her as the Business of the Month, sponsored by David Self Ford, as well as gift certificates to Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City and David Self Ford and a candy jar from Complete Staffing.

Magnuson named Employee of the Month

Jean Magnuson was named as the Employee of the Month for February. The announcement was made by the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce monthly coffee held Tuesday.

Magnuson is the superintendent’s administrative assistant for Bridge City ISD. She acts as purchasing agent for the Administration building, deals with calls or visits from upset parents, organizes monthly board agendas, monitors the Administration buildings budget and keeps the superintendent organized.

“She makes everyone else’s job easier...without anyone knowing she is the one doing it,” said the nomination letter. “She handles all of these with grace and pure professionalism. Jean is the epitome of grace under pressure. It does not matter the situation, she will handle it in the most professional and appropriate way with a smile on her face.”

The nomination goes on to mention Magnuson’s sense of humor and quick wit and how she makes sure the department operates with a sense of family and community.

“That sense permeates throughout our building and district and Jean is a large reason for this. She is always thinking first of others and how can she make their situation better.”

“She asked to take on the role of BCISD district United Way representative and has done an excellent job of organizing our district’s efforts in the United Way. The same sense of family and community that she has for our district, she exhibits here for the surrounding area.

“Jean cares for people and it does not take long when anyone is around her to recognize that care and commitment that she has for other people.”

Another person commenting on the choise of Magnuson had this to say: “I totally support the nomination of Jean M. for employee of the month. She is the backbone of the school district with the way she supports all the departments. She handles all the correspondence for the school board, all the special projects that are needed by the administration and on top of all that, she is attentive to all who approach her. She has been the ‘shining star’ of my time on the school board.”

Magnuson received a plaque honoring her as the Employee of the Month sponsored by David Self Ford. She also received gift certificates to The Record Newspapers, Bette’s Gift Shop, Luv Lingerie, Dupuis Tire and Service Center, Sonic Drive-In, Total Impressions Salon, Peggy’s on the Bayou, Trendz, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, and David Self Ford.

BCCC announces Students of the Month

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for February at their monthly networking coffee on Feb. 14 at Luv Lingerie, located at 2215 Texas Avenue in Bridge City. Jacki O’Dell was chosen as the Bridge City Student of the Month and Maria Winfree was chosen as the Orangefield Student of the Month.

Jacki O’Dell is the daughter of Amanda and Richard Sonier and Jack O’Dell. She is ranked 94 out of her class of 176 with a grade point average of 3.34. Jacki’s awards and honors are:

• Cross Country Gold Medalist (freshman)

• “Never Shout Never” - 1st Place (freshman)

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Award of Excellence (freshman)

• “Lights in Concert” – 1st Place at State Fair (sophomore)

• Bridge City Art Exhibition – 1st Place and Honorable Mention (sophomore)

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Award of Excellence (sophomore)

• J&B Framing – 1st and 2nd Place (junior)

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Gold Medal (junior)

• Alternate for Western Art Academy in Kerrville (junior)

• BCHS Art Exhibition 2011 – 2nd Place (junior)

• BCHS 2011 - Most Outstanding Female Artist (junior)

• BCHS Art Exhibition 2011 – Special Merit (junior)

• Bridge City Heritage Festival – 1st Place (senior)

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Best of Show (senior)

Jacki has a potential chance to attend Glassell Junior School of Art this summer and a chance to win a scholarship.

Her Clubs and Organizations include: Art Club – 9th through 12th grade; Treasurer 11th grade and President 12th grade.

She is involved in Community Service with her Church Youth Group, Hurricane Ike cleanup, blood drive, assisted in Art Exhibition set up, assisted with Heritage Park fundraiser and designed a coloring page for a Heritage Park event.

Art teacher, Debbie Gregg said of Jacki, “I have been honored to teach Jacki for the past four years and during this time, we have had an exceptional student-teacher relationship. Jacki is an intelligent and talented young lady; her gift is her art. Jacki has the natural ability to create extraordinary art works. Among the many art contests in which she has completed and the impressive number of awards she’s won, Jacki will have her artwork printed on hundreds of t-shirts and cards this year to help raise money for a museum in Bridge City. Jacki has set high goals for herself and will strive to meet them at all costs. She is truly deserving of Student of the Month.”

“Jacki O’Dell is an amazing student. She is so talented and creative, but her quick wit and precious personality are the characteristics I love most about her” stated Sharon Wooley, the CTE Coordinator and Department Chair.

Jacki’s math teacher, Ericka Thibodeaux said “I have the privilege of teaching Jack this year. She is a brilliant young lady and extremely talented. She is always working hard to maintain her grades and she never gives up. She is an excellent role model for the underclassmen. She is very sweet and a pleasure to have in class.”

Future plans for Jacki include pursuing an Art Degree from an out of state college, possibly in Santa Fe or Savanna School of Art & Design.

Marie Winfree is the daughter of Christy Delgado and is ranked 53 out of her class of 107 with a grade point average of 3.37 on the college 4.00 scale and a 3.130 on the Orangefield High ranking scale.

Marie is an active member and secretary of the FFA. She is also an Art Club-At-Large Representative.

Her awards and honors are:

• Big “O” Award from Spanish Teacher

• Football Sweetheart for 2011 Homecoming Court

• Won 2nd Place in the “Law Day” Art Contest hosted by the Federal Court of Beaumont, Texas. Had Art work hung in the Federal Building for the year 2010.

• Honorable Mention in Shangri La Art Contest 2011.

Marie’s involvement in Community Service included:

• OCS Orange Christian Services with her church youth group-folded clothes and handed out food.

• Painted parking lot lines for her church with the church youth group for 6 hours as a service project.

• Sang Christmas Carols for the Sabine House Nursing Home.

Several faculty and staff comments chosen by the AG Plant and Animal Department had this to say about Maria:

“Maria is a very conscientious student and respectful to her teachers and fellow students,” Web Tech teacher Cindy Womack said. “She wants to do well, tries hard and completes her assignments on time. She is a joy to have in class.”

“It has been my pleasure to have Maria in my art class for all four years of her high school career,” art teacher Sherry Windham said. “She is a sweet, conscientious student who has worked diligently at her art and has won numerous contests and awards for her efforts. I’ll certainly miss her next year in my class!”

“I have had the opportunity to teach Maria over the past three years. Maria is the ‘ideal student,’” Advanced Animal Science teacher Kaci Greer said. “She gives one hundred and ten percent in everything she does, no matter the task. I have watched Maria treat every student in the FFA, no matter who they were, with compassion and patience. I consider the Orangefield FFA chapter very fortunate to have Maria as an officer. She is the definition of a true leader.”

“I have had the pleasure of being Maria’s advisor for the past year,” Jessica Gates, AST/FFA advisor, said. “Maria is a wonderful loving student who puts her heart into everything and gives 100 percent no matter what is asked. She has been a wonderful role model and leader for our FFA chapter. She has outstanding leadership skills that will help her become a successful person.”

Maria’s future plans are to attend Sam Houston State University and major in Animal Science with a minor in Agribusiness.

Both Jacki and Maria received a certificate honoring them for their accomplishments along with gift certificates from Walmart, Firestone Credit Union, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, Sabine Federal Credit Union, COS Printing and David Self Ford.