Saturday, January 24, 1998

Reporter-News salutes

Texas Works

Abilene continues its statewide leadership role in welfare reform efforts. After the first Texas Works Partnership Award was presented last month to Ron English for hiring welfare recipients in his Burger Kings and helping organize a monthly welfare-to-work job fair, Gov. George W. Bush and Texas Department of Human Services Commissioner Eric Bost were in town this week to hand identical certificates to Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steak House and Jeff Andress of Zapata's Cafe & Cantina. In addition, four Abilenians — Artesia Lee, Marie Short, Ricky Ramirez and Lawanda Wigfall — who have recently moved from assistance programs to jobs were also presented with partnership certificates. Employers and employees alike deserve congratulations for the kind of work it takes to reap success from the changes prompted by federal welfare reform.

MLK honorees

The winners of this year's Human Service Awards were recognized at the seventh annual Martin Luther King Luncheon at the Abilene Civic Center Sunday. The Late-Night Basketball mentors — including Anthony Williams, Mike Jefferson, Bob Walker, John Newby and James McDow — received the Human Services Award for an organization. Dee Waggoner, counselor at Abilene High School, received the Human Services Award for an individual. Insurance agent Carol Martinez received the award for a small employer. The Civilian Personnel Flight at Dyess Air Force Base was given the honor for a large employer. Peggy Cooper, supply technician with the Mission Support Element, was presented the award for outstanding employee with a disability. And Abilene High seniors Lenecia Bowens and Cassaundra Jackson received the first ever Youth Service Awards. Congratulations to all these deserving honorees and to Earnest Merritt, who was in charge of organizing this year's sold-out luncheon, and to Dr. K. David Cole, the pastor and civic volunteer from Kansas City, Mo., who inspired the audience to continue King's lofty dream from the past into the future.

Ms. Texas Senior Midwest

Abilene's Syble Pitcock was crowned Ms. Texas Senior Midwest 1998, and LaWanda Opella, also of Abilene, was named first runner-up. Dorothy Mayberry of Abilene was chosen as Ms. Congeniality. Pitcock, a grandmother of eight, has been a volunteer with Texas Peer Assistance for Impaired Nurses for 10 years and is a registered nurse, certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing. She will represent the Texas Midwest in the Ms. Texas Senior Pageant to be held in April.

Kiwanian of the Year

Nancy Miller, executive director of Christian Homes of Abilene, was named Kiwanian of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Abilene. Miller, a former club president, was lieutenant governor of Division 35 of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International last year, providing leadership assistance to Kiwanis clubs in Abilene, Clyde, Sweetwater, Haskell, Hamlin and Stamford.

No tin drum

Abilene High freshman percussionist Jeffrey Rasco deserves a resounding rim shot for landing a spot on the All-State Band. He will join other top high school musicians from around the state in a concert in San Antonio on Feb. 14, and we're sure he'll do a bang-up job!