MEL TOADVINE Blondine Cherisol, Danika Deshazon and Sara Waugh, all graduates of Lehigh high schools, recieved scholarships for college.

Eleven teachers were honored Saturday night by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. In addition, scholarships were awarded to five local high school students.

The annual celebration and dinner honoring teachers and the presentation of scholarships was held at the Microtel Inn & Suites with Chamber CEO Gary Bright opening the ceremony.

Those awarded the honors were selected by the Chamber’s Education Committee.

Students who received scholarships included: Alexis Bell, Blondine Cherisol, Danika Deshazon, Kaylee Hartman and Sara Waugh. Bell and Hartman were unable to attend.

Vickie Hay and Cheryl McConahy presented awards to the teachers:

MEL TOADVINE The teachers who were honored Saturday night by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. They are from left to right, front row, Robin Walden, Becky Silcox, Jason Wetherbee, Gordon Hardy, Jennifer Whalen, Caren Pearson; second row, Mary Ellen Guillory, Mathew Matera Suzette Esponda and Mercy Alonso. Louise King was unable to attend.

Robin Walden, East Lee County High; Becky Silcox, G. Weaver Hipps Elementary; Jason Wetherbee, Harns Marsh Elementary; Gordon Hardy, Lehigh Acres Middle; Jennifer Whalen, Lehigh Acres Elementary, Caren Pearson, Lehigh Senior High; Mary Ellen Guillory, Mirror Lakes Elementary; Mathew Matera, Sunshine Elementary; Louise King, Varsity Lakes Middle; Mercy Alonso, Veterans Park Academy Elementary; and Suzette Esponda, Veteran Park Academy Middle School.

As each teacher was called to the front, Hay told the group about the educator and his or her works in the local schools.

Louise King, who was on a school trip was unable to attend. Her award was accepted by someone from the school.

Teachers were given trophies that looked like red apples on a base.

Nearly 70 people attended the event which was catered by Vernon Haney of Lehigh Acres. He prepared a large cake with words on the top marking the occasion.

MEL TOADVINE Vicki Hay, education committee chairwoman is shown at the microphone. Committee member Cheryl McConahy is at left. Both handed out awards to the teachers who were honored during the Chamber banquet Saturday night.

The 2012 Education Committee included Vickie Hay, education committee chairwoman; Gary Bright, the Chambers’ CEO; Mike Burgers, Jere Carrick, Cindy Dodd, Cheryl McConahy, Moe Taylor and Steve Thomas.

The teachers of the year were selected by the principals of their respective learning institutions. These educators are shining examples of those who dedicate their lives to instructing and guiding the young people of our area, Chamber officials said.