CCSD Celebrates Partners of the Year, Volunteers of the Year at Fifth Annual Recognition Ceremony
Read more here about the 2018 School winners!
The Cherokee County School District honored its top school community partners and volunteers at the Fifth Annual CCSD Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Recognition Ceremony.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at CCSD’s Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility, recognized a Partner of the Year and a Volunteer of the Year for each individual school and center and then made the surprise announcement of the CCSD Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year selected from that pool of candidates. Eighty-two outstanding partners and volunteers were recognized!
Waleska United Methodist Church, the R.M. Moore Elementary School Partner of the Year, was named the CCSD 2018 Partner of the Year, and Lawrence Moraniec, the Woodstock High School Volunteer of the Year, was named the CCSD 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
“It’s very inspiring to hear the stories of these outstanding partners and volunteers and such an honor to recognize them. We greatly appreciate everything they do to support our students, teachers and schools,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said. “They donate thousands of hours of their time, give thousands out of their own pockets and bottom lines, and improve the lives of thousands of students and teachers -- all because they care.”
Tuesday’s recognition ceremony was sponsored by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for CCSD. Prior to the ceremony, which included tributes and the presentation of plaques by the Superintendent of Schools and School Board to all honorees, a reception was held in the auditorium lobby. The honorees were joined at the event by their families, Principals of the schools that they support and other special guests.
After the surprise announcements were made of the CCSD Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, excerpts were read from the nomination letters submitted by the principals of the schools that they support. A committee of retired educators selects the CCSD winners from the pool of exemplary nominees.
The Cherokee County School District 2018 Partner of the Year is Waleska United Methodist Church for its partnership with R.M. Moore Elementary School. From left to right, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, church members Richard Belote, Mary Helen Lamb, Edythe Miller, Cecil Miller, and Principal Jan Adamson.
The CCSD Partner of the Year, Waleska United Methodist Church, already adopted students in need at the holidays, but this school year added establishing and stocking a new food pantry at the school and running a weekend back-pack food program to its charitable work.
“They have served our school and students in this community to the fullest potential. The thing that makes them a standout is they expect no recognition in return,” Principal Jan Adamson said. “They do it all because they truly care for our students and making a better future for our community. Their willingness to be flexible and the eagerness to volunteer their time and assistance make them an extraordinary partner. Our school, students and faculty are very thankful to have such a wonderful Partner of the Year.”
The Cherokee County School District 2018 Volunteer of the Year is Lawrence Moraniec, who was nominated for the honor by Woodstock High School. From left to right, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, Woodstock HS engineering teacher Karen Zayance, Lawrence Moraniec and Principal Mark Smith.
The CCSD Volunteer of the Year, Lawrence Moraniec, for 10 years has shared his industry knowledge with Woodstock High School students to build their career readiness and their confidence. Through the Technology Student Association, the retired General Motors employee teaches students not only how to use machinery and equipment, but also soft skills needed for the workplace.
“He drives the students to succeed – not to win – but to strive to be better individuals,” Principal Mark Smith said. “Through an encouraging demeanor, Mr. Moraniec pushes students to learn more, be leaders, create quality products, practice good teaming, and to support their peers both when they win, and more importantly, when they don’t. He teaches students the value of failure, learning from failure and then rising above it. He has selflessly invested in our students for 10 years – what is more extraordinary that this?”
Every week, a different school Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year will be featured on CCSD social media platforms.
Lawrence Moraniec shakes hands with Cherokee County Educational Foundation Board member Sharon Booz on the way to the front of the auditorium to accept his award as Cherokee County School District 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
2018 SCHOOL PARTNERS OF THE YEAR
Arnold Mill Elementary School: Walmart of Woodstock
Avery Elementary School: Culver’s at Hickory Flat
Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy: Awnex, Inc.
Bascomb Elementary School: Chick-fil-A of Towne Lake
Boston Elementary School: New Victoria Baptist Church
Canton Elementary School STEM Academy: Rotary Club of Canton
Carmel Elementary School: The Premier Group Real Estate Firm
Cherokee High School: Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Canton
Johnston Preschool Center: The Home Depot on Sixes Road
Oak Grove Preschool Center: Soleil Charity Committee
Ralph Bunche Center: Laurel Canyon Optimist Club
Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy: Modern Woodmen of America
Clayton Elementary School: Help A Child Ministry
Creekland Middle School: Cherokee Insurance Center
Creekview High School: Chick-fil-A of Canton
Dean Rusk Middle School: Reliable Heating and Air
E.T. Booth Middle School: The Premier Group Real Estate Firm
Etowah High School: LongHorn Steakhouse of Woodstock
Free Home Elementary School: Jan Rooney, State Farm Agent
Freedom Middle School: Morrison Products, Inc.
Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy: Canton Police Department
Hickory Flat Elementary School: The Marketplace Canton
Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy: Corporate Office Furniture & Panels, Inc.
Indian Knoll Elementary School: MUST Ministries
Johnston Elementary School: Modern Woodmen of America
Knox Elementary School: Kona Ice of Cherokee
Tippens Education Center: Laurel Canyon Optimist Club
Liberty Elementary School: Publix at The Market at BridgeMill
Little River Elementary School: Hot Wheels Skating Center
Macedonia Elementary School: Smallcakes Cupcakery
Mill Creek Middle School: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt at Riverstone Plaza
Mountain Road Elementary School: Culver’s at Hickory Flat
Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy: Modern Woodmen of America
R.M. Moore Elementary School: Waleska United Methodist Church
River Ridge High School: Chick-fil-A Dwarf House of Woodstock
Sequoyah High School: Creative Awards and Promotions
Sixes Elementary School: Hopewell Baptist Church
Teasley Middle School: Shoal Creek Baptist Church and Shiloh Hills Baptist Church
Woodstock Elementary School: Woodstock Fire Department
Woodstock High School: Roytec Industries, LLC
Woodstock Middle School: Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Towne Lake
Read more here about the 2018 School winners!
2018 SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Arnold Mill Elementary School: Rhonda Methvin
Avery Elementary School: Janna Miller-Sanders
Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy: Lindsay Prose
Bascomb Elementary School: Janis Dunn
Boston Elementary School: Betsy Richardson
Canton Elementary School STEM Academy: Pat and Les Olsen
Carmel Elementary School: Stacey Stockton
Cherokee High School: Neda Chester
Johnston Preschool Center: River Ridge High School TOME Club
Oak Grove Preschool Center: CCSD Transition Academy
Ralph Bunche Center: Teasley Middle School
Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy: Suzanne Everette
Clayton Elementary School: Sid and Diane Phillips
Creekland Middle School: Leanne Schulman
Creekview High School: Bob Johnson
Dean Rusk Middle School: Maureen Walker
E.T. Booth Middle School: Jenni Burris
Etowah High School: Pam Greiner
Free Home Elementary School: Georgine Lightsey
Freedom Middle School: Dustin Ade
Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy: Kristi Louzader
Hickory Flat Elementary School: Beth Harper
Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy: Kay Williams
Indian Knoll Elementary School: Jenn Severson
Johnston Elementary School: Gail Hendrix
Knox Elementary School: Alex Apolinaris
Tippens Education Center: Woodstock High School PTSA
Liberty Elementary School: Daniela McBride
Little River Elementary School: Amanda Johnson
Macedonia Elementary School: Amy Murphy
Mill Creek Middle School: Amy Swetlik
Mountain Road Elementary School: Colleen Thomas
Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy: Maria Benitez
R.M. Moore Elementary School: Carla Cohen
River Ridge High School: Olga Spivey
Sequoyah High School: Lisa Shellenbarger
Sixes Elementary School: Sixes Elementary School PTA Executive Board
Teasley Middle School: Danielle Sones
Woodstock Elementary School: Jennifer Maude
Woodstock High School: Lawrence Moraniec
Woodstock Middle School: Pamela and Rodney Allen