 "Photo: Amy Adams")
Master of ceremonies was Matthew LeBlanc, executive producer and anchor of the NewsChannel 10 Early Show.
Dr. Paul Matney, president of Amarillo College, welcomed those attending to the luncheon, followed by an invocation given by Jerry Moller, acting vice president and dean of instruction.
Other speakers included Amarillo Mayor Debra McCartt and Brenda Rossnagel, coordinator of disability services.
Two recipients of LITE scholarships, Natalie Hammond and Taylor Rebant, spoke about what the scholarship means to them.
Matney spoke of the importance of the luncheon to the college and how the students who receive the scholarships are important.
“We love all our students at Amarillo College, but our disability students are very special to us,” Matney said.
McCartt started off by saying she was much honored to be at the luncheon. She read a city proclamation:
“We, mayor and city commissioners of the city of Amarillo, Texas, do hereby proclaim April 6, 2010, as LITE day, leading the way to brighter futures in Amarillo.”
Hammond was the first student speaker. At 7 months old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She talked about her childhood and her minor and major disabilities.
“Nobody likes to be made fun of,” she said when remembering a boy who had made fun of her.
She thanked God, her parents and all the sponsors.
“I thank my parents; they have been a great inspiration to me, always encouraging me,” she said.
Hammond plans to graduate in May and to transfer to West Texas A&M University to major in Spanish. Then she hopes to go on to the University of North Texas to earn a master’s degree in library science. She said wants to be a missionary in Mexico.
Rebant followed. She has autism and went to therapy for 13 years. “I came across the LITE scholarship during my senior year at Tascosa High,” she said. “I thought, ‘Why not take a chance?’ and signed up for it.”
Rebant graduated from high school in 2008. She spoke of how she has become a more outgoing person.
After AC, she plans to transfer to WT to study humanities. About 300 people attended this year’s luncheon.
The winners of the 2010-2011 LITE scholarships will be notified by June 1.
Last year, 18 LITE scholarships were given out.
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