Monday, December 12, 2005

COLUMBIA - The State Board of Education this week will recognize 15 individuals and organizations for their volunteer efforts in local schools.

The recognition will occur Wednesday morning during the State Board of Education meeting at the Rutledge Building in Columbia.  State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum will present the awards.

"These extraordinary volunteers give unselfishly of their time to provide our students with meaningful learning opportunities," Tenenbaum said.  "This year's honorees not only see the needs of students, but also see how they can personally help to meet those needs.  Our schools are better places because of their service."

The Volunteer Awards are authorized by the Education Improvement Act of 1984 and are designed to honor the time, energy, talents and other resources contributed to South Carolina schools.  They honor significant contributions made by three categories of recipients:  civic organizations, individuals and school improvement councils. Candidates are nominated by school districts across the state. 

Criteria for selection include promoting student achievement, enhancingschool-community relations, strengthening school or district resources, encouraginga positive climate and promoting teacher effectiveness.  A statewide panel of judgesselected the winners.  They are:

Civic Organization Category
*  Gold Award Winners - Adopt-A-School of Beaufort County, Beaufort County School District; and Greenville High School PTSA, Greenville County School District.
*  Silver Award Winners - Colonial Life Supplemental Insurance, Richland School District One; Mayor's Teen Volunteer Program of Rock Hill, Rock Hill School District Three; Pelion Ruritan Club, Lexington School District One; Sun City Hilton Head, Jasper County School District; and Sun Trust Bank, Greenville County School District.

Individual Category
*  Gold Award Winner - Lisa Bates, Pickens County School District.
*  Silver Award Winners - Caroline Clavon, Rock Hill School District Three; Barb Clinton, Rock Hill School District Three; Kathy Hammeran, Greenville County School District; Martha Hartley, Beaufort County School District; Sayumi Ikeda, Florence County School District; Terri Pendelton, Rock Hill School District Three; and Nissary Wood, Kershaw County School District.