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January Business of the Month – Little Caesars Bridge City
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it has named Little Caesars Bridge City as Business of the Month for January 2015. Owner Curtis Breaux accepted the award from Bridge City Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Dave Derosier at the January 13th Networking Coffee hosted by Orangefield ISD at the Cormier Museum. Along with the award, sponsored by Sabine River Ford, Little Caesars gifts from Mary Kelone, LMT and Tiger Rock Martial Arts.
Little Caesars is owned by the Breaux family, lifelong Southeast Texans. The principal owner, Curtis D. Breaux, grew up in Port Arthur, and upon marrying Lisa after high school, they had three children and settled in the Hamshire Fannett community of Labelle. The Breaux’s, nearing retirement after nearly 30 years in Law Enforcement and Education, were seeking a business where they could work for themselves, and provide opportunities for the employment of others, and support a strong community. The decided to open a Little Caesars in Bridge City. Since opening in August 2014, Little Caesars Bridge City has done a booming business with no signs of slowing down. Being community minded, the Breaux family participated in collecting food for the Bridge City/Orangefield Ministerial Alliance by giving a free order crazy bread to anyone who donated 2 canned food items during the Thanksgiving food drive. They also donate a free pizza, 2 drinks and an order of crazy bread to every student of the month, employee of the month and business of the month. Stop by 715 Texas Avenue, Ste. F, Bridge City for your Hot-n-ready.
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January Employee of the Month – Julie Agee
Please join The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Julie Agee, Registrar/PEIMS Secretary at Orangefield High School, on receiving the Employee of the Month Award for January 2015. Julie was presented her award, sponsored by Sabine River Ford, by Elyse Thibodeaux at the January Networking Coffee held at the Cormier Museum hosted by Orangefield ISD. Julie also received gifts from the following businesses: Little Caesars, Total Impressions Salon, Dupuis Tire, The Record Newspaper, Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Michele Michelle Day Spa, Dairy Queen, Sabine Federal Credit Union and Mary Kelone, LMT, NCBTMT.
Julie is employed at Orangefield High School as the Registrar/PEIMS Secretary and assist with several school organizations. Julie is married to Jerry Agee and they have 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law; Savannah, Jeri, Shelby Storment and USMC Sgt. Daniel Storment. She is a graduate of St. Mary Catholic School and West Orange – Stark High School with a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communication from Lamar University. As a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, Julie serves as a facilitator for 11th/ 12th grade religious education. Julie said, “I enjoy service opportunities and supporting our local businesses and communities. As far as my job, I never planned to work in the field of education. However, I’m not surprised this is where my path led. My values were most influenced, not only by my parents, but by strong and passionate teachers throughout my educational career. My hope is to carry on their legacy of helping others achieve success through hard work and integrity.”
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Bridge City HS Student of the Month Bree Newsom
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Bree Newsom has been named January Student of the Month for Bridge City High School. Bree received her award at the Monthly Networking Coffee on January 13th at Orangefield Cormier Museum hosted by Orangefield ISD. Bree is the daughter of Daniel and Renee Newsom. Bree is ranked 11 of 187 with a GPA of 4.37. Bree’s awards and honors include:
- Presidential Honor Roll (2011-2015)
- Honors Chemistry, Physics and Algebra II
- AP English III and IV and United States History
- College Algebra, Psychology, Government and Economics
- Geography Award (2012)
- Biology Award (2012)
- World History Award (2013)
- English II Award (2013)
- AP US History Award (2014)
- Chemistry Honors Award (2014)
- Spanish I Award (2012)
- Yearbook Leadership Award (2012-2014)
- Rotary Youth Leadership Nominee (2011-2014)
- Rotary Youth Leadership Award (2014)
- All Region Choir Member (2014)
- State Solo and Ensemble Choir Advancer (2012-2013)
Bree’s clubs and organizations include: National Honor Society 2012 to present, Cardinal Singers Varsity Choir 2011 to present, Yearbook Editor 2013 to present, Newspaper UIL, Current Events UIL. Bree’s community service includes: serving at the Hospitality Center with her church youth group, tutoring fellow classmates and younger students, caroling to the elderly in nursing homes, and volunteering at the Humane Society.
Cathy Riley, English Department Chair, said “Conscientious and studious, BREE NEWSOM, is an exemplary student who focuses on accuracy and details in her classes. I have observed that she opts for the most challenging assignments and projects because that is what Bree loves the most – a challenge. She is above the norm and is never satisfied until excellence is reached. Bree also encompasses a wonderful sense of humor and is a stellar role model for others to emulate – every teacher’s dream.”
Genevieve Garrison, Business Department and Cardinal Yearbook Advisor, said “Bree is an awesome student. She manages her time well while in class and with completing her assignments. She works well with others during group projects and under strict deadlines. She understands the significance of a strong work ethic, diligence and academic integrity. She is a very responsible and determined individual. As the Cardinal Yearbook editor, Bree was always willing to assist me when needed. She proofread pages ensuring accuracy, organized data files when needed and ensured my entire yearbook contents were in order at all times. She is a very generous individual with her skills, time and resources.”
When asked about her future plans, Bree said “I plan to attend Texas A&M University in the fall of 2015 to pursue and education as a communications major. With this degree, I hope to one day become a human resource manager for a company of some kind so I can put my various problem solving skill sets to good use.”
Bree received gift certificates and gifts from: The Classy Peacock, Walmart, Wellspring Credit Union, Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Central Office Supply, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Michele Michelle Day Spa, Little Caesars Bridge City, Complete Staffing and Comtex Wireless.
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Orangefield HS Student of the Month Kristen Blanke
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Kristen Blanke has been named Orangefield High School Student of the Month for January. Kristen received her award at the Monthly Networking Coffee on January 13th at Cormier Museum hosted by Orangefield ISD.
Kristen is the daughter of John and Marla Blanke. She is ranked number 1 out of 136 with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Kristen’s clubs and organizations include:
- President of the National Honor Society
- Vice President of the Texas Association of Future Educators
- Class president
- Participates in Volleyball and Track
- UIL Accounting and computer applications
Kristen’s awards and honors:
- National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalist (finalist status determined in February)
- Texas Bluebonnet Girls’ State
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
- Accounting UIL state qualifier
- Scholastic All-District athlete
- Cross Country regional qualifier
In community service, Kristen has volunteered as a lifeguard at Great Escape Camp at Southwind, First Presbyterian Church Vacation Bible School and Trunk or Treat, Christmas in Orangefield.
Misty Bellard, UIL sponsor, says, “Kristen has been a member of my Computer Applications team for three years now and I would describe her as an intelligent, dedicated, and hard-working student. She is involved in many other clubs and extra-curricular activities and is the one her sponsors count on and her peers look to her as a leader. She is a wonderful choice to represent our school.”
Jennifer Rumsey, English department head, says, “Kristen Blanke is one of the most brilliant young ladies that I’ve ever had the pleasure to teach. She is a natural leader among her peers, rising to the top of the class with her outstanding character and kindness. Kristen was a true joy to teach, and I know she has a very successful future ahead of her.”
Fred Cascio, AP English 4 teacher, says, “Kristen Blanke is the quintessential student. Her work ethic and performance are above reproach. It’s a pleasure to teach such a bright, energetic, and diligent student. Her contributions to the class are always perspicacious and most welcome.”
Grant Gilson, physics and engineering teacher, says, “Kristen is an excellent student who exemplifies leadership in the classroom. She is the type of person who helps others and she does it in a way that makes that person feel good – not like she know something and they don’t. She has the highest grade in physics for the entire year and won the Big O Award for physics last year. I know Kristen will accomplish anything she sets her mind to and will be a leader in whatever field she chooses.”
After graduation, Kristen will attend Texas A&M University and study business.
Kristen received gift certificates and gifts from: The Classy Peacock, Walmart, Wellspring Credit Union, Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Central Office Supply, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Michele Michelle Day Spa, Little Caesars Bridge City, Complete Staffing and Comtex Wireless.
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ABC Counseling & Educational Services Ribbon Cutting
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to welcome ABC Counseling and Educational Services, LLC to its membership on December 30, 2014. Owner Jill Hazlip-Freeman offers individual, couples, and marriage counseling as well as behavior modification for children, life mapping, goal setting, cognitive behavioral and grief therapy. She works with special needs children to teach coping and social skills, as well as typically developing children. Tutoring for kids up to 5th grade is also offered, as well as 1:1 help for reading comprehension, writing skills, and math. Rates for all services are offered at a fraction of the typical cost and sliding scales and package pricing is also available. Insurance processing will be available in the future.
ABC Counseling is a long term dream come true for this Beaumont, TX native. Jill was born to parents Don and Barbara Chandler and has a younger sister, Jan. Growing up in a tight knit family with an emphasis on love, compassion, forgiveness and structure helped shape the future of the Chandler girls. Jill’s mother, Barbara, was a teacher, diagnostician, and school counselor for many years. She always believed it was inevitable that one of her girls would follow in her footsteps.
After a near fatal car accident in 1991, Jill’s future was forever changed. With serious physical and emotional injuries to recover from, it altered Jill’s career path. Having a very helpful counselor to assist in healing the emotional damage from the accident, Jill decided to go into the field of Psychology. Jill graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minoring in Sociology in 1997. Soon thereafter, she began her journey in the field and worked as a case manager with mentally ill adults for the next 7 years.
In 2002, Jill completed her Master of Art’s degree in Professional Counseling and graduated from Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, MO at the top of her class with a 4.0 GPA. She continued to work in the case management field until the birth of her son in 2005. Becoming a mother greatly changed her life. Jill’s son, Lucas, is now 10 years old and severely autistic. After searching for a work schedule that would work with his, a teaching certification was completed in 2010. Jill taught 2nd grade at Lumberton Primary School and loved the job, but just felt she wanted to do more to help children and their families.
After a very long journey and road bumps along the way, she finally completed her 3,000 intern hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2014. Opening this business has been a very long term dream that has finally become a reality and she could not be happier. With a supportive husband, family, colleagues, and friends, her dream has become a reality. ABC Counseling combines all of Jill’s professional experience into one eclectic endeavor. To make an appointment or get more information on ABC Counseling and Educational Services, call Jill at 409 720-9251.
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