Chambers County Commission honors students

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

CHAMBERS COUNTY — At the May 4 Chambers County Commission Meeting, the commission and local leaders shared the success of local events over the past weekend and honored successful students. 

“This was the third year that we had Valley Fest [organized by the Valley Local], and had it not been for the rain, I think we would have had almost double what we had last year,” said Commissioner for District 6 Debra Riley.

“We had a great rodeo [this past weekend],” said Sheriff Jeff Nelson. “We had the special needs Rodeo Friday with about 300 students out there that we entertained and had a great time... And Saturday, we packed the house.”

“Thank you to everyone who supported Hike-Bike-Run in whatever activity it might have been,” said Commissioner for District 4 Sam Bradford. “Right now, they’re at $94,000 [raised for Valley Haven] and still counting.”

The commission honored scholarship recipients, presented by Riley on behalf of Chambers County Legislators

“Normally, Sen. Price, Rep. Kristin Nelson and Rep. Bob Fincher would be here to give these scholarships,” Riley said. “These come from those three state representatives who represent you down there. They had to be in Montgomery, and so they asked that I present these to you, and that is quite an honor. It’s always a joy for them and for any of us to see our young people graduating high school and have goals already set and plans for their adult life, and this is just a contribution to help you start that journey from them.”

Recipients included:

• Amari Lowe of Valley High School

• Ethan Brooks of Valley High School 

• Madison Robinson of Springwood School

• Tucker Sides of Springwood School

• Camron Johnson of Lanett High School

• Valeria Velaquez of Lanett High School

• Tramiya Holloway of LaFayette High School

• Thomas Patillo of LaFayette High School

• Lindsay Snow of Chambers Academy

• Eli Whorton of Chambers Academy 

Bradford recognized the Alabama Pals Poster, Recycled Art and Clean School Contest first-place winners.

Bradford invited ChiJung “CJ” Lee of Chambers Troup Group LLC and two of her associates to help present the awards. 

“Up to this point, [the Chambers Troup Group LLC] have given $15,000 towards this program, and that translates into over 50 miles of roadside litter being picked up,” he said. “Really, probably a little bit more than that, but round numbers that translate to 50 miles of roadside litter. When it gets picked up, the sheriff’s department is a big part of that by promptly picking it up off the side of the road.”

Winners included: 

• Michael Wipple of Bob Harding Shawmut School for the Grades K-3 Poster category

• Rylie Maples of Chambers Academy for the Grades 4-6 Poster Category 

• McKenzie Martinez of LaFayette High School for the Grades 7-12 Recycled Art category

• Savannah Luse of LaFayette High School for the Grades 7-12 Recycled Art category

• Bob Harding Shawmut School — Clean School Winner

• LaFayette High School — Clean School Winner

• Springwood School — Clean School Winner

In Other Business

• The commission voted to approve the minutes and warrants payable for April 27.

• The commission voted to approve the agenda for the May 4 meeting as presented. 

• The commission voted to appoint Bradfrd to serve on the 2026-2027 ACCA Legislative Committee. 

The next regularly scheduled Commission Meeting will be held in the small courtroom at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 18.