Latest news with #OdessaChamberofCommerce
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Odessa Chamber of Commerce to host National Civics Bee for middle schoolers
Apr. 3—The Odessa Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the Third Annual National Civics Bee this Saturday, April 5, at the Odessa College Wood Health Sciences Building. Twenty local middle school students will vie for the top prize, which is $1,000. The doors will open at 9 a.m. with breakfast and registration and the competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be finished by noon. Special thanks to local sponsor Abell -Hanger Foundation for their support. This event was open to all 6th, 7th or 8th grade students in the area. Ninety-three students submitted an essay to "Identify a problem facing our community." The essays were judged by community leaders and the top 20 students were selected to participate in this live competition. Students from Adinvita Private School, St. John's Episcopal School and Nimitz Middle School from Odessa, as well as Midland students from the Young Women's Leadership Academy and George Abell Middle School will participate in the live event. Three community leaders will serve as local judges for the live event including Blake Fosse, Chair-elect of the Young Professionals of Odessa; Mark Palmer, Abell-Hanger Foundation Executive Director and Shem Culpepper, Odessa Chamber of Commerce 2024-2025 Board Chairman. Odessa American Publisher Pat Canty will serve as the event emcee. Special guest speakers include Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick and State Representative Brooks Landgraf. The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. "We are so honored to be chosen by the U.S. Chamber to host this event for the third year. We are one of only five Chambers in Texas and 150 across the country to participate. Our middle school finalists submitted very impressive essays that shined a light on a variety of important issues and they are very in tune to offering solutions to these community problems," Renee' Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release. "We can certainly learn from their ideas as they focus on the importance of civic involvement," she added. Cash prizes will be given to the top three winners, who will also advance to the state finals in Austin on May 17. The public is invited to attend.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gifts of Hope breaks ground on expansion
Mar. 19—West Texas Gifts of Hope broke ground Wednesday on an expansion to its building at 700 W. First St. which will double its capacity. Gifts of Hope provides lodging to people from across the Permian Basin region and Eastern New Mexico who are undergoing cancer treatment. Staff was joined by volunteers, board members, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, medical professionals, the FMH Foundation, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Texas Oncology among others for the occasion. Hope House, as it is also called, currently has four private rooms each with a separate en suite bathroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. All offered at no charge, with the exception of the patient's food, the website said. Patients are able to stay at Hope House in Odessa, with a referral from Texas Oncology-Odessa West Texas Cancer Center. Patients must live 30 miles or more from Ector County and be in active treatment, the website said. Executive Director Brenda Medlock said the expansion will enable them to add four additional bedrooms, a new laundry room, refreshment bar, office space and a Look Good, Feel Good shop. Each bedroom can hold up to three people. Last month, they had more than 15 requests to stay at Hope House, Medlock said. This week, they had nine requests. Some people are returning for treatment. "That tells you the need in this community," she added. The expansion has been in the making for more than four years, Medlock said. About a year and a half ago, they decided they could make the expansion work. She said the project cost is about $900,000. They hope to open the expansion in September of this year. Fletco is doing the construction. Board President Blake Little said in remarks that the board had worked its tail off to get this project going. He believes strongly in the organization because they are helping people who can't help themselves. "(They are) going through the worst time right now. Cancer is an awful thing. It's probably one of the worst things ... people can go through and us to be able to help people that literally can't take care of themselves go home and have the means to take care of themselves ... that helps me push for this every day," Little said. Having the expansion start to become a reality is awesome and he is grateful for all the community support, he added. "It's truly a blessing. It's a mess right now because of the way the construction is going, but it's going to be awesome with us doubling the size of it, (doubling) the amount of people we can help on a daily basis, which truly means a lot," Little said.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hogan honored as this year's Citizen of the Year
Feb. 18—When Ted Hogan first learned that he was named the Citizen of the Year, he was astonished. "I was surprised," Hogan said when asked about his initial reaction. "It's an honor to be considered. It's really great." The respected business leader and community advocate was honored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce with a ceremony Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. "It was a big surprise but it's an honor because I love Odessa," Hogan said. "My family has been blessed to live here." Hogan, who's lived in Odessa since 1992, graduated from Crane High School in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a minor in biology from Texas Tech in 1977. Hogan would go on to embark on a successful career in the oilfield services industry. In 1994, he founded Light Tower Rentals, a rental service company that he built into a regional powerhouse. While Hogan is now retired from LTR, he remains actively engaged in the business world. He currently partners with MHRT International Oilfield Services, LLC, RTB Ventures LLC, Freedom First Inc., and Boot Heel Management. "I work in oil and gas," Hogan said. "I have a few other interests like ranching and cattle." He was quick to thank his wife Jodi as well as his family and friends around the community. "My wife's been my rock and has stood behind me and supported me," Hogan said. "I've made a lot of friends in Odessa. Odessa is a great place to raise a family. We've made so many friends. We have a great church family here. Everything about Odessa is great. It's been a blessing for us." Odessa Chamber of Commerce Chair Shem Culpepper talked about this year's Citizen of the Year recipient. "Today, we're rewarding a very worthy citizen of the year," Culpepper said. "Even though it's called Citizen of the Year, it's really more like a lifetime achievement award. Mr. Ted Hogan has devoted a large portion of his life in giving back to the community. He's a very successful businessman. It's an honor and a privilege to honor him. He has not been selfish with his time and he's given back to his community." President and CEO of Odessa Chamber of Commerce Renee Earls also talked about the process of selecting this year's winner. "Each year, we ask the community to make nominations for candidates that they feel like would be good nominees," Earls said. "We always receive wonderful nominations. Ted Hogan is the epitome of service. He's an example of not only in his business but also in his volunteering of being very giving and he deserves this award." The Odessa Chamber of Commerce has selected a Citizen of the Year since 1958.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landgraf talks ESAs at chamber reception
Feb. 14—About 150 people turned out Friday to the Odessa Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Pastries and Politics Reception to meet and greet elected representatives and officials from throughout the community. State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, was among the group. Landgraf said the legislative session is off to a good start, although it's going to be a tough time for consensus building across the state. "We have a lot of contentious issues; a big development in the House yesterday, as the committee assignments were finally made. We have a house that's organized; a lot of consolidated committees, so things are going to look a lot different this session. I'm very honored that I've been named, again, to be chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee, which is really important for us in the Permian Basin. But with committee assignments made, bills are continuing to be filed. I'm ready to get to work," Landgraf said. There is currently a bill filed by Rep. Briscoe Cain, HB 2736, which would require a two-thirds (66%) vote to authorize the issuance of bonds or to increase taxes. This issue is also part of Gov. Greg Abbott's Property Tax Relief emergency item. Landgraf said he shares Abbott's goal of property tax relief and there are bills that would do that without changing majority rule in Texas. "I think that we can achieve the same goal of having property tax relief for all Texans without having to change the way that we deal with property tax increases at the local level. I know it's a concern for a lot of our local taxing entities. On one hand, we do want property tax relief for all Texas property taxpayers. On the other hand, we want to make sure that institutions like Odessa College have the resources that they need to be able to fulfill their mission. They've done a great job of it over their multi-decade history. With the great leadership that we have in place, (President) Dr. (Gregory) Williams and his board and faculty and staff, I think that they can continue to do that, and that goes for a lot of other local government entities that we have here in the Permian Basin," Landgraf said. Voter turnout in Ector County is usually low. Landgraf said majority rule is a foundational principle. "If you change that threshold too much, then it potentially comes a situation where you can have a very small group of voters" carrying the will of the majority, he said. "There does seem to be something incompatible with that when it comes to our Constitutional Republic," Landgraf added. On the subject of Education Savings Accounts, or vouchers, Landgraf said Abbott has made school choice an emergency item. "The Texas Senate has already passed SB 2, which would provide Education Savings Accounts up to about $10,000 for about 100,000 students," he said. "There is a lot of momentum behind this. As I mentioned, the Senate has already passed it. The House is probably going to come up with its own proposal that's going to look different, and then there will be some work between the House and the Senate. I do expect that there will be some sort of Education Savings Account legislation that passes. My goal for all of this is for ESAs is to be part of a larger legislative package where we can actually make educational opportunities for every student in Texas better, and that means that we also have to make sure that we are taking care of our K through 12 students in public schools all across the state, including Ector County ISD, including Monahans, including Kermit, Wink, Grandfalls, all of our school districts need to have plenty of support from the state. Our teachers need pay raises. They need to have a competitive advantage. "I think that we can provide more school choice options, but we also need to make sure that students who are going to continue to rely on public schools have a good, good option within that when it passes," Landgraf said. Part of SB 2 allows $2,000 for Education Savings Accounts for homeschool children whose families opt into that program. But it's not mandatory. "It's purely optional, but if the family decides to do that and they want $2,000 to help cover the costs of homeschool education from books, supplies, learning programs, things like that, then they could be eligible for that Education Savings Account under the proposal. But there are also strings that come attached with that, like a testing requirement and some other oversight from the state," Landgraf said. He added that he has gotten a lot of feedback from homeschool parents who want absolutely nothing to do with an ESA because they like having that autonomy. They like being able to make all those decisions themselves. "I've actually heard from a lot of homeschool parents saying we don't want these vouchers. We don't even want you to pass them. That's been an interesting dynamic to see, but I've gotten a lot of feedback from all sides on this issue," Landgraf said. Out of the 100,000 or so students who could get Education Savings Accounts, 80% are targeted as low-income or learning disabled students. Students who have special needs that require special education. That makes up about 80% of the program now and then the other 20% would be open to everybody, all students in Texas. "That's a bit of the balance, but it does seem to prioritize private schools. Of course, charter schools are public. They don't have tuition, and so they wouldn't be covered by these Education Savings Accounts just the same way that ISD students wouldn't be," Landgraf said. The way the SB 2 Education Savings Accounts are set up, it's purely voluntary for students to participate. It's also voluntary for a private school to participate. "There's nothing that would compel a private school to accept a student the way that state law requires public schools to accept students who live in their designated neighborhoods. ... I do think that (it) could create some opportunities, not necessarily in West Texas. I don't know that it would have a tremendous impact, just because we don't have the volume of students here in the way that inner-city, Houston, does. "I think it could create some opportunities for students who are in failing school districts in Houston who literally don't have any other options because there just isn't anything there for them without having some sort of financial assistance," he added. Landgraf said he's talked to a lot of private schools in West Texas who don't want the ESA program because they're already at capacity and have waiting lists. "And they would rather not have the strings that would be attached to any ESA," he added. There is a lot of opposition to ESAs, but there is also a lot of support for having an ESA program that provides choice for students who don't have it. "I think it's more of a principle thing for a lot of people. There's a lot of support on both sides. I will say that the anti-ESA crowd is definitely better organized and speaking a little bit louder. But there's also some misinformation on both sides about what this ESA does do. I want to be very clear that the ESA, even in SB 2 as proposed, would not dismantle public schools. It would only have an impact over 100,000 out of almost 6 million school children in Texas. We're talking about a very small percentage of students. What that means is, if we're only pulling about $1 billion, we're dedicating about $1 billion dollars to an ESA program when we're spending $96 billion on public education throughout the state; $1 billion is not going to defund $96 billion. I do want to be clear that this ESA program is not a silver bullet that's going to fix everything that's wrong with education in Texas. It's also not going to be something that can dismantle public education in Texas as we know it," Landgraf said. He added that ESAs can be used by public school students for supplemental training, tutoring and for online education programs. "There are also other opportunities that all students can take advantage of if they have special needs, what they need, after-school tutoring or online tutoring, things like that so there are other ways that even public school students can take ESA program," Landgraf said. He noted that a lot of people think that there's no accountability that goes with this public money for private schools in SB 2. "Yes, we do need to have accountability for that public money. The ESAs do not require students to take the STAAR exam, just a nationally norm referenced test, which can be a much more efficient standardized test. I think if that's good enough for ESAs it should be good enough for every student in Texas. I think there is also an opportunity to use this ESA conversation to really get some much needed reform to scrap the STAAR exam in Texas for all students," Landgraf said. He also said there is nothing that would suggest SB 2 affects teacher retirement. "I'm a huge proponent of retired teachers. I know that there's a narrative that's floating around out there that this would defund the pensions for retired teachers. That's something that I'm very sensitive about," Landgraf said. In the last legislative session with the help of Texas voters, a lot of money was allocated to make sure that the Teacher Retirement System is actuarily sound for years to come. Calculators on social media give figures on how much districts would lose if ESAs passed. Landgraf said he has seen them and said with 100,000 students spread across the state it's not going to take away from, especially rural school districts, where there aren't any private school options. "The math doesn't actually work out. Again, I respect everybody for having very deeply held views on this issue, but again, from a policymaker's perspective, if we keep this about facts, then it's going to be a much better conversation. The fear tactics don't really resonate with me. I've got to look at the facts, and in a lot of cases, these generators showing how much money would be lost are not accurate," Landgraf said. While the ESA program would start small, Landgraf said it would be up to future legislators to decide whether it will grow. "It's always a possibility. It's also a possibility that if it's a dismal failure, it can be scrapped altogether. But if it's a success, then it can grow. I think we should allow it to grow or contract based on its own merits," Landgraf said. Odessa Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Renee Earls said they have had receptions for elected officials throughout the years. "We have the pleasure of meeting our elected officials on a regular basis. We can call them. We can talk to them. We meet with them on issues. But many of our members don't have that opportunity so really, this is for our members to get to meet them, visit with them, begin a relationship with them, and then later down the line, if they need something, they know who to call," Earls said. The officials that are not elected are still a big part of the community. Earls said they will be hosting a reception for newly minted ECISD Superintendent Keeley Boyer sometime in March. "We wanted to see how successful it would be. (We) really had no idea what to expect, and so we threw it out there" and it's been successful, Earls said.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Civics Bee deadline for essay submission coming up
Jan. 28—Essay submission for the 3rd Annual National Civics Bee Sponsored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Abell-Hanger Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a week away. The 2025 National Civics Bee, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. This essay contest is open to all middle schoolers, regardless of the community they live in. It's aimed at students being better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition, which is open through Feb. 4. The top 20 student essay winners will be selected to advance to the local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce will host the regional competition in April of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes of $1,000 for the first-place student, $500 for second place, $250 for third place and other prizes for runners up. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship. Winners from each of the local competitions across Texas will be invited to take part in the state finals. The first-place winner of the state finals will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in the Fall of 2025. "This will be the third year that the Odessa Chamber of Commerce will host the National Civics Bee. It's an amazing program that features middle school students and their knowledge on Civics and community issues. This year, we are thrilled to be able to invite students from the West Texas region to submit an essay and participate in the competition," Renee' Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release. For the second year in a row, the Abell-Hanger Foundation is also a proud supporter. "At the close of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked if we have a republic or a monarchy, to which he replied, "A republic, if we can keep it." What exactly did Mr. Franklin mean by that statement? Fundamental to retaining the form of government that we have is an informed electorate. The Civics Bee is an effort to ensure that our youth have a basic understanding of the governing documents of our country so that they may fulfill their responsibility as engaged and informed citizens," said Mark Palmer, CEO of Abell-Hanger Foundation. "This effort aligns well with the personal values of George Abell, who along with his wife Gladys, founded the Abell-Hanger Foundation. We take pride in knowing that we are assisting the youth of West Texas to fulfill this great responsibility," he added. "Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future," said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation. The deadline for the essay submission is Feb. 4. For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Texas visit: For additional information, please contact Allison Gray at [email protected] or call 432-333-7863. The National Civics Bee, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's The Civic Trust, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.
