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The 2024-2025 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award recipient was presented to City of Andalusia Councilman Presley Boswell. He is pictured with the chamber’s immediate past president Jennifer McClung. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The 2024-2025 Chamber President’s Award recipient was presented to Frank Shaffer. He is pictured with the chamber’s immediate past president Jennifer McClung. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The 2024-2025 chamber’s Student of the Year Award was presented to Andalusia High School’s Olivia Cravey. She is pictured with AACC Executive Director Mellisa King. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

The 2024-2025 chamber’s Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Straughn High School’s Bettina Shiver. She is pictured with AACC Executive Director Mellisa King. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

The chamber’s 2024-2025 Small Business of the Year Award recipient was Grit + Grind Coffee. Pictured are Destiny and Eric Rowell. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The chamber’s 2024-2025 Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award recipient was presented to Jubilee Decor. Pictured are, from left, (front) Dana Kennedy, Anabell Bryant, Sarah Sightler, Justin Sightler; (back) James Albritton, Parker Kelley, and Zach Jones. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The chamber’s 2024-2025 Large Business of the Year Award recipient was presented to Andalusia Health. Pictured are Vickie Demers, left, and Breunna Wiggins. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The chamber’s 2024-2025 Business of the Year Community Service Award recipient was presented to TW Orthodontics. Pictured are Heather Edgar, left, and Brianna McCann. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Virginia “Ginny” Grimes, left, took over as the chamber’s next president at the conclusion of the banquet. She is pictured with Immediate Past President Jennifer McClung. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

The chamber welcomed new board members at the banquet. Pictured are, from left, (front) Board Member Katie King, Immediate Past President Jennifer McClung, Board Member Sarah Singletary, Board Member Michelle Wunsh, Board Member Kayla Bush, Executive Director Mellisa King, Director of Membership Services Maggie Holmes, President Virginia “Ginny” Grimes, Board Member Hayden Raines, Board Member Anna Worley, Board Member Emily Cain, Board Member Breunna Wiggins; (back) Vice-President Garret Bowers, Treasurer Micah Garner, Board Member Ronnie Levitzke, and Board Member Mitch Thorn. Not pictured are board members Dr. Meredith Tillman Flatt, Marrianne Harper, Katherine Jones, and Jamie Sessions. (PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANKENSHIP)

Guest speaker Willie Spears discusses three ways to improve and grow businesses. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

City of Andalusia Ambassador Riley Tucker engages with a lemur. The chamber brought in live animals during its Safari of Success social hour before the banquet began. (PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANKENSHIP)

The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its members and the community during its annual banquet Thursday night.

With exotic animals and jungle-style decorations, the theme of this year’s banquet was “Winners in the Wild.”

Winners of the awards presented by the chamber begin with membership nominations, which are evaluated and voted upon by the board of directors based on service to the chamber and enhancing the quality of life within the community.

The chamber presented its Distinguished Citizen Award to Andalusia City Councilman Presley Boswell. The award was presented by AACC Director of Membership Services Maggie Holmes.

“We present the 2024-25 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award to a man whose dedication, service, and love for Andalusia has left a lasting impact,” Holmes said. “Beyond his role on the city council, he has long supported community causes and enriched the lives of those around him. From ribbon cuttings to supporting the town he loves, Mr. Boswell is a testament to the phrase, ‘Love Where You Live’.”

The chamber board’s 2024 president Jennifer McClung presented the annual President’s Award to E-911 Director Frank Shaffer.

“As president, I am tasked with selecting an individual who makes a lasting imprint on our community through service and dedication. Frank is very active in the civic life of Andalusia, serving as a band booster president, even holding that position after his own children graduated. He has also served as a board member for Meredith’s Miracles and volunteers his time for Cookies with Characters.”

In addition, Shaffer is active in local theater and arts programs.

The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Grit + Grind Coffee.

“Grit + Grind has a passion for quality and making meaningful connections within the communities they serve. Thank you for inspiring us with your grit and heart on your remarkable journey,” King said.

The Mid-Size Business of the Year Award went to Jubilee Decor.

“Since its founding in 1975 by Roger Sightler, Jubilee Decor has been bringing festive cheer to communities across the nation with their seasonal decorations. Their contributions to our community include supporting local charities and involvement in county organizations,” King said.

The Large Business of the Year Award was presented to Andalusia Health.

“Andalusia Health’s commitment to excellence is evident in the care they provided to over 65,000 patients. From the Andalusia Ballet to July Jamz, Covington County Child Advocacy Center, and the Miracle League, Andalusia Health is consistently strengthening our community,” King said.

The 2024-25 Business of the Year Community Service Award was presented to TW Orthodontics.

“TW Orthodontics is a beacon of service and support within our community,” King said. “Through an annual scholarship supporting local seniors, they pave the way for future leaders within our community. They also support our schools through the donation of teacher-parent correspondent folders and sponsorship of Teacher Appreciation Week.

TW Orthodontics was also recognized for its role in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The chamber also presented its Teacher and Student of the Year awards.

The Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Straughn High School’s Bettina Shiver.

“She represents everything it means to be an educator. With an extraordinary 30 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Shiver has dedicated her life to inspiring students and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom,” Holmes said.

In addition to teaching History, Shiver also shares her love of the arts with students as the Fine Arts Coordinator at Straughn High School. She is a co-founder of the Covington Collaborative Art Initiative and the Covington County Art Leadership Academy.

Other nominees for Teacher of the Year were: Yvette Akridge, Amanda Dillard, Taylor Gentz, Lucretica Hawkins, Dawn Kelley, Richelle Tracey, and Jarret Williamson.

After recognizing each nominee, the Student of the Year Award was presented to Andalusia senior Olivia Cravey. The award is based on academics, leadership, and service.

“Olivia represents the promise of a bright future and the values we hold dear as a community,” Holmes said in presenting the award. “She is a dedicated student who has achieved academic excellence and is committed to growth. In addition, she is a natural leader, serving in key roles with many school organizations.”

Other Student of the Year nominees were: Emiley Faith Bush, Cade Cassady, Orrin Douglas, Karis Dubose, Bailey Green, Nathan Hobbs, Amber Nguyen, Christian Pate, Graycie Sansom, Kinsley Stovall, Arina Thai, Marketh Thrash, Riley Tucker, Audry Ward, and Ella Ward.

The event also marked the beginning of a new year for the chamber with 2024 chamber board president Jennifer McClung passing the gavel to the 2025 president, Ginny Grimes. Immediate past president for 2024, William Alverson, was recognized for his service, not just over the past year, but as the longest-serving member of the chamber’s board of directors.

“I am filled with gratitude and pride reflecting on serving as chamber board president over the past year and a half,” McClung said. “It has been a fulfilling journey marked with countless memories of hard work, collaboration, and inspiration. I am immensely proud to call Andalusia my home.”

In taking the president’s position, Grimes thanked McClung for her service and said she looks forward to working with chamber staff and members over the coming year.

“I love this community and I look forward to being a part of the chamber’s continued success in 2025,” Grimes said. “When I joined the chamber board in 2022, I did not do it alone. My family has committed their time at parades and Candyland. My PowerSouth co-workers have delivered ice, decorated award-winning Christmas floats, ran audio-video for all chamber banquets, and graciously provided me the time to attend board meetings and other chamber events. I’m very grateful for the support of my family and PowerSouth. As we begin this year, the board will prioritize building on our tradition, promoting our workforce development, and encouraging professionalism and volunteerism.”

Serving as guest speaker was author and motivational speaker Willie Spears of Panama City, Florida. A collegiate football player, Spears spent over 20 years as an educator and high school football coach. Spears is a minister and the founder of the “Willie Spears Experience.” While in Andalusia, Spears spent time speaking to students at local schools.

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