Volunteers of the Year
2008-2009

Burnside Elementary – Kasi Morrow

Kasi Morrow is the secretary of the Advisory Council. In the fall she was one of our cheer leading coaches. Throughout the year she has helped with T-Shirt sells, Book Fairs, Santa’s Workshop, and pictures. She is always willing to do anything BES needs.

Someone once said, “Accomplishments are built on the unwavering effort of each team member.” Kasi is a part of our team here at Burnside. She helps our students achieve their dreams.

Eubank Elementary – Renee Wilson

Renee Wilson volunteers with PTA, during RIF book distributions, Fall Festivals, and the PCYFL. She also volunteered with Kindergarten students. She pulled them for one on one tutoring, working with the “budding” beginning readers, and those who struggled with alphabet recognition and letter sounds. While her efforts have been great and her patience long, she is quiet and humble. With her assistance and hard work of the kindergarten teaching staff, 23 kindergarten students from Eubank Elementary have been able to Ring the Literacy Bell at the Pulaski County Public Library.

Memorial Education Center – Carol Bradley

The Volunteer of the year at MEC cut out materials and assisted with the end of the year photo albums her child’s teacher created for each student. She has been a leader in the RIF program, placing the orders, labeling the books, and handing them out to each classroom. She wrapped Christmas presents for all of the teachers in the building and she volunteered for school-wide activities such as Pumpkin Day and Blizzard Blast.

“She never hesitates to volunteer for any of our school’s personnel. Carol has been a valuable asset to our school.”

Nancy Elementary – Judy Weir

Nancy’s volunteer of the year has volunteered over the last four years. She is the PTA Treasurer and has also served as chairperson to the FRC’s Advisory Council for 3 years and is very active in the PCYFL.

She is the kind of person that you can call on at anytime and you know that she will be there. She has helped in the classrooms, with fundraisers, bake sales fall carnivals, Santa shops, winter festivals, book fairs, classroom projects, just to name a few. “She is a kind person and a terrific mom.”

Northern Middle – Tammy Griffis

Even though Tammy Griffis has lost the majority of her sight she doesn’t let her disability prevent her from volunteering. In fact she has volunteered for over 11 years. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to do whatever needs done. Because of her positive attitude she is a joy to be around. Even though her son moved on to PC she still volunteers at NMS.

“We appreciate her and we’re thrilled to nominate her for Volunteer of the Year.”

Oak Hill Elementary – Mary Everett

Mary Everett works with small groups of children in the classroom and provides help to those who need that little extra one-on-one personal touch. She also reads to students in their classroom library during center time.

As a homeroom mother, she calls parents concerning up-coming activities, items needed to make these activities a success, and how they can help. She also helps with Book fair and Common Focus activities.

She has volunteered many hours to our school and has set a positive example for her own children as well as the other children. We appreciate her and all she has done to help us make our school year successful.

Day Treatment – Winfred Frye

Mr. Frye organizes and plans two musical shows every year at DT. He comes to DT with a sparkle in his eye and explains to the kids how to play the instruments and talks about his love of bluegrass music. The students love his visits because he uses humor and he reaches out to them through music. He is not only a volunteer at DT but also a friend.

I got two nominations from students who said…
Mr. Frye has the best personality and he always puts a smile on my face. He plays his instrument so well. When he plays everyone in the room is tapping their foot. He brightens up my day every time I hear him play.

“I think Mr. Frye should be the Volunteer of the Year because when he came here with his band, I had a lot of fun listening to them play their instruments and sing. It was exciting and I enjoyed it. I would like for them to come back so I can hear them again”, commented a student.

Pulaski County High School – Jeff Clark

Jeff Clark has been a model volunteer for the band program at PCHS this year. He has done everything from providing a freezer for the band to keep needed items for fundraisers to driving his RV to band competitions so that we could provide food for the students.

He even played baritone in the pep band during basketball season. One Friday, he had just been released from the hospital and he came to help with equipment at the football game that night.

Pulaski Elementary – Deneen Wittlinger

Ms. Wittlinger and her family just moved to Somerset this year. When new PTA officers were needed, she bravely took on the role of President. She has dedicated endless hours and energy to continuing the long time traditions and fundraisers held by the PTA. In addition, she assisted the Art teacher in transforming the media center into an art gallery. She also comes into school two afternoons a week and does Zumba (latin dance exercise) with the first grade classrooms as part of a health initiative for those students.

Through it all she always remains cheerful and optimistic. She has made many friends at Pulaski Elementary and is greatly loved by all the staff and students.

Shopville Elementary – Carola Blevins

During her 5 years of volunteering at Shopville, Carola Blevins has been on the FRC Advisory Council, the Box Tops Coordinator, a coach in the intramural basketball league and she’s the treasurer for the archery team. She also volunteers in the library with the RIF program and the Book Fairs. During the Colonial American Christmas she decorated the halls and classrooms to transform the school to a different time period.

Erma Bombeck said, “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another”.

For her outstanding commitment to the students, the school and her community, SHES selected volunteer Carola Blevins.

Southern Elementary – Tammy Robinson

Tammy Robinson has served as a volunteer for over 5 years and she has served on many committees including: PTA president, FRC Advisory Council, District Parent Advisory Council and SBDM Council.

Every Friday she paints the faces of the students who have earned to “e” in the Braves Pow Wow Club. She also: puts up bulletin boards and student’s art work throughout the school, organizes fall festival and bake sales, schedules book fairs, spearheads fundraisers, participates with the Guardian Angel Tree, assists with field day, and donates clothes to the Family Resource Center. She has every student and staff member’s best interest at heart. Tammy has documented over 200 hours this year.

Southern Middle – Tim Baker

Volunteer of the year for SMS has a heart for children and his school. He works tirelessly for the benefit of students. He serves as team leader for the 7th grade blue team, is on the SBDM Council, and he is the sponsor of Southern’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He is a man of strong moral, ethical, and Christian principles. His example, lived before everyone, exudes his strength of character and his convictions with a genuine love for his fellow man. He is an excellent example of selfless service for his God and his students.

Southwestern High School – Tim Diamond

Tim Diamond has donated many hours to the football team. He has served as the president of the booster club, transported and cooked on the grill for all home and away games, most of the booster club meetings, the senior luncheon at the school and at the Thursday night Pep Rallies. He also ran the Bingo fundraising efforts. He has transported senior players to Combines, camps and to the Ohio U Spring game. He also spent many hours cleaning the stadium with a power washer and ran the chains at all home games. In addition, Mr. Diamond volunteers for the track team.

Woodstock Elementary – Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith was elected to the SBDM Council and as PTA secretary. She’s spent countless hours organizing events, communicating with staff and parents, and giving her time to make special events memorable for our students.
She practices with the Academic Team and serves as a moderator during their matches.

Being a former student at WES, she helped organize a Woodstock Family Reunion that will include hundreds of former staff and students.

“We are very humbled and proud to honor Michelle with the Volunteer of the Year on behalf of all the Woodstock Elementary School Family.”