Over 130 people attended Friday night's annual banquet of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce at the Lake Shore Golf Course.

Following dinner, a number of awards were presented to honor those who volunteered to make the Chamber a success this past year, as well as scholarships to area high school seniors.

Linda Smith of the Chamber's Scholarship Committee, presented scholarships to 3 Christian County high school seniors, who were selected from several applicants. Hailey Samson of Morrisonville High School received a 2-semester scholarship at the University of Illinois in Springfield. Samson will major in social work. William Morrell of Central A&M High School received a 2-semester scholarship at Richland Community College in Decatur; he'll major in meteorology. And Brianna Cluck of South Fork High School received a 2-semester scholarship at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield; she's looking to become a probation officer.

Len Hempen won the Chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award for his volunteerism to the Chamber this past year, while Bill Vidmar won the Chamber Chairwoman's Award for his involvement in Chamber events this past year.

Maureen Maple won the "Randy France Volunteer of the Year" Award for her many community efforts.

Amy Hagen won the “Citizen of the Year” award for her efforts to help feed needy children and families in the community over the past few years, including organizing regular stops of the Mobile Food Pantry in Taylorville.

Hagan said that as Jim Gagne won last year's “Citizen of the Year” award for his many decades of community service, she was hoping that at some point down the road in her career, she could serve the community as Gagne had.

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Hagan received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks Friday night.

Guest speaker for the night was U-S Congressman and Taylorville native Rodney Davis, who talked about how important his upbringing was in helping him do his job in Washington every day.

Davis told the crowd that a country music song he heard recently on the radio, helped to remind him of his Taylorville roots.

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And, Davis said he's proud to step onto the U-S House floor and represent Taylorville.

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Davis received a standing ovation before and after his remarks at the Taylorville Chamber annual banquet Friday night.