Awards were given out to community members for their work and Renee Shaw from Kentucky Educational Television (KET) spotlighted the importance of education at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s 135th annual dinner on Thursday.
Chamber President, Taylor Hayes started the evening’s program by welcoming attendees and thanking chamber members for helping the community move forward throughout the last year.
After Hayes welcomed the attendees, Planters Bank CEO, Elizabeth McCoy introduced Shaw, the evening’s keynote speaker. Shaw is the Director of Public Affairs and Moderator at KET, and hosts the network’s public affairs program “Kentucky Edition.” Shaw is from Portland, Tennessee and shared that she moved to Kentucky when she was 18 years old and she has now been working at KET for the past 27 years.
Shaw shared that her childhood morning routine was breakfast, prayers and PBS. She credits PBS and her mother for playing an integral role in early education journey and at KET they are dedicated to early childhood education.
Shaw has been in Hopkinsville for the past few days exploring the community and filming broadcasts. Shaw spotlighted community members such as Margaret Prim the executive director of the Pennyroyal Arts Council, Alissa Young the president of Hopkinsville Community College and Terrence Davis the executive director of the Hopkinsville Boys and Girls Club, for their positive impacts on the community.
After seeing community members and leaders focus on helping at risk youth and providing scholarships for higher education, Shaw says Christian County is on an upward trajectory that will change the state.
Following Shaw’s speech, members of the community presented with awards for their contributions. Ryan Milauskas received the Young Professional of the Year Award; Karen Knight received the Bob Kelso Ambassador of the Year Award and Royce Stevens received the President’s Award.
To conclude the evening, Eyvette Sellers the former chair of the Chamber Board of Directors passed the gavel to Nikki Chambers the incoming board chair. Chambers expressed that she was honored to be the next chair and looks forward to helping the county thrive.
Chambers will serve as the chair through 2025.
