Lubbock area people, organizations recognized for service

Coronado alum awarded coveted FFA scholarship

A Lubbock Future Farmers of America chapter alumni has been named as a Domino’s sponsored scholarship winner. Ashlynn Messer is one of only five students in the country who received a $4,000 scholarship to be put towards her pursuit of a food science and technology degree from Texas Tech University, where she is a sophomore.

Messer served as the FFA Lubbock Coronado chapter president for two years and vice president for one. She was also a junior and senior Texas FFA Foundation Ambassador, Area 1 FFA Leadership Ambassador and Lubbock district treasurer. She enjoyed showing goats, pigs and rabbits. Messer competed in events including livestock judging, horse judging, and various leadership and speaking events. Other highlights included being the 2021 and 2022 Texas FFA Food Science CDE High Point Individual and speaking in front of the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs to promote FFA.

Outside of FFA, Messer was involved in the Sunset Youth Group, Lubbock County 4-H, AP capstone, UIL Academics, National Honor Society and student council. Since starting college, Messer has become involved in the Texas Tech Honors College, student government association, as well as Block and Bridle. She also serves as a member of the Texas FFA State Food Science contest leadership team.

Levelland HS senior earns Civil Air Patrol honor

LEVELLAND — Anson McMahan, a senior at Levelland High School, has achieved a significant milestone in his Civil Air Patrol career by being awarded the highly esteemed Billy Mitchell Award, the local CAP squadron recently announced. Presented by the Lubbock Composite Squadron, this prestigious recognition is a testament to McMahan's unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership qualities, and outstanding performance within the CAP, the squadron said.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 60,000 members nationwide. It provides a unique platform for students to develop leadership skills, participate in aerospace education and engage in emergency services.

The Billy Mitchell Award is a significant milestone in the CAP cadet program, marking a cadet's transition from the enlisted ranks to the officer corps. Named after General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation, the award is a symbol of exceptional leadership, academic excellence and physical fitness. Cadets who receive the Billy Mitchell Award are also eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. Notably, only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets will obtain the General Billy Mitchell Award.

Throughout his time as a cadet, McMahan has exhibited exemplary leadership qualities and a passion for aviation and aerospace education. He has actively participated in numerous activities, including an eight day basic encampment at Kirtland AFB and orientation flights on the squadron’s plane as well as a USAF C-130. He is also responsible for training younger cadets in drill maneuvers and aerospace education. McMahan's commitment to serving his community and nation is truly commendable, reflecting the core values of the Civil Air Patrol, the squadron said.

In addition to his outstanding achievements within the Civil Air Patrol, McMahan has excelled academically at Levelland High School. His commitment to balancing academics and extracurricular activities demonstrates his ability to thrive in a demanding environment. McMahan is a varsity letterman in cross country and baseball, he has been a state qualifier in the National History Day program, and has many accolades in FFA for leadership and entomology. In addition, he is a member of the LHS Chapter of the National Honor Society and American Mensa.

In addition, McMahan achieved his first solo flight at the Mid-Atlantic Region Colonel Roland Butler Powered Flight Academy this summer in Camden, South Carolina. According to the Civil Air Patrol, “the goal of the National Flight Academies is to give cadets an opportunity to fly approximately 10 hours and receive instruction from an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Cadets are given appropriate ground and air instruction and opportunities to practice/perform assigned maneuvers.”

Looking ahead, McMahan plans to pursue a career in aviation, building upon the foundation he has established within the Civil Air Patrol. Most recently, he spent a week in Annapolis, Maryland at the US Naval Academy Summer Seminar in preparation to begin the appointment process to one of the five service academies of the US Armed Forces.

Lubbock firefighters battle wildfires in central Texas

Lubbock Fire Rescue has been activated as part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) to assist in firefighting efforts across the State of Texas. Crews will headed to Mineral Wells for pre-positioning before starting their assignments Wednesday

Lubbock Fire Rescue sent four crew members and its TIFMAS truck to aid in fire suppression operations.

Lubbock Area United Way names new CEO

Lubbock Area United Way Board Chair Becky Palmer announced last week the organization has named a new president and CEO. Lubbock native and current United Way Vice President of Community Impact Amanda McAfee will step into the role, following retiring CEO Glenn Cochran.

“The search committee and the board of directors put a lot of thought and consideration into the decision. We had numerous excellent candidates, but in the end, it was a unanimous decision to appoint Amanda to the position," Palmer said. "We are confident in her ability as a leader at United Way and a leader in our community. We’re inspired by the vision she has for the future of the organization and believe she is the right person for the role.”

McAfee graduated from Coronado High School before going on to complete a Bachelor of Social Work at Abilene Christian University. She also has a Master of Arts in Leadership from Denver Seminary. McAfee’s nonprofit experience spans a 20-year career, including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa where she worked in the nonprofit development program.

McAfee returned to Lubbock in 2012. Before joining United Way, she worked for United Way Community Partners Catholic Charities and the Volunteer Center of Lubbock. She came to work at United Way in 2017 as a Campaign Division Director. McAfee stepped into the Vice President of Communications and Marketing position in 2018 and recently moved into the Community Impact role in 2022. She is married to Andy McAfee and the couple have two children, Caroline, a senior at Talkington School for Young Women Leaders, and Jack, a first grader at Hardwick Elementary.

LPD captains graduate SMIP program at Boston University

The Lubbock Police Department announced earlier this month the graduation of two captains from the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.

Captains Matt Doherty and Leath McClure graduated from the forum, which provides senior police executives with intensive training in the latest management concepts.

Doherty, who has been with the department for 18 years and graduated from the program on June 22, 2023 says, “The opportunity to travel to Boston and meet with law enforcement professionals from across the country was truly an experience I will never forget. The experiences and knowledge gained will be something I carry with me throughout my career.”

Meanwhile, McClure, who has also been with the department for 18 years and graduated on July 27, 2023 says, “I am grateful for the opportunity I had to attend this prestigious program and look forward to implementing the practices and strategies I learned about within our department while continuing to serve the citizens of Lubbock and those I have the good fortune to lead.”

The senior management institute is put on by the Police Executive Research Forum, also known as PERF. The course, which lasts three weeks, brings together faculty from top universities, successful law enforcement executives, and subject matter experts from the private sector. According to PERF, SMIP brings together leading thinkers in corporate and public management to provide intensive training in the latest management theories and practice, innovative solutions to organizations problems, and discussion of important issues in managing public service organizations effectively. The program’s goal is to give police managers the same quality of management education available to other leaders in the public and private sectors.

Frenship ISD names new assistant superintendent of secondary education

Frenship Independent School District recently announced Layne Sheets has been selected to serve as the district’s first Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education. Sheets joins Frenship with 16 years of experience in education including four years serving as a superintendent.

Sheets has worked in multiple school districts across the South Plains in a wide variety of roles and departments including special education teacher, ag teacher, coach, principal, and most recently superintendent of Dawson County ISD from 2019-2021 and superintendent of Jayton-Girard ISD from 2021-2023.

“We are so excited to welcome Mr. Sheets to the Frenship family. His work experience is impressive, and he brings a wealth of knowledge in many different subjects and departments,” said Dr. Michelle McCord, Frenship superintendent. “His experience in leading two different districts will be a huge benefit in this new role as we continue to grow and add more campuses.”

This newly created position will focus on coordinating and overseeing Frenship’s seven secondary campuses including the high school, alternative school, ninth grade center, and four middle schools. He will also be instrumental in helping the district open its second high school in 2025.

In addition to ensuring all secondary campuses are operating at the high standard of excellence Frenship is known for, Sheets will also supervise the district’s growing Fine Arts and Agricultural programs.

“My family and I are looking forward to serving and being a part of the Frenship ISD family. Everyone has been so welcoming to us since we moved here,” Sheets said. “We are very blessed to be here and look forward to being a part of such a great district.”

Sheets is a Muleshoe native and attended Abilene Christian University and Texas Tech University. He and his wife Hayley have four young children including two who will be Frenship Tigers next year at Legacy Elementary.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock area people, organizations recognized for service