Polk County Public Schools and MidFlorida Credit Union recently honored the school district's 2020 Volunteers of the Year with surprise, pandemic-safe recognitions at each volunteer's school.
“I am honored to celebrate you and your efforts,” said MidFlorida Senior Vice President/West Regional Manager Ryan Rogers, in a statement to the district's Volunteers of the Year.
“On behalf of MidFlorida Credit Union, we'd like to thank you for your incredible dedication and service to our students and schools, and for being real-life superheroes to many of our children. As you know, our schools need role models like you to build our future leaders.”
In August, Rogers and PCPS staff arranged surprise visits to each district-level Volunteer of the Year. Winners were selected from more than 90 individuals named Volunteers of the Year at their respective schools.
Each of the six-district level winners received a prize package that included a plaque, flowers, balloons, portable cooler, and other items. Gift sponsors included Chick-fil-A, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, and Salem's Fresh Eats. All 90 Volunteer of the Year honorees received a certificate of appreciation, medallion and a Chick-fil-A gift as well.
Watch a video of the surprise Volunteer of the Year recognitions:
“During this time of uncertainty, we were excited about this new way to highlight the crucial role volunteers play in students' lives, and how they enrich our schools with their dedication,” said Jeanette Crowley, PCPS' senior coordinator of strategic partnerships. “It's important for us to show our Volunteer of the Year winners and honorees how special and appreciated their efforts are to PCPS.”
Added Rogers:
“MidFlorida began in 1954 as Polk County Teachers Credit Union, and we are proud to continue supporting our schools and education initiatives in the communities where we serve. Volunteers' efforts in the community do not go unnoticed, and we are honored to join in recognizing them.”
PCPS' 2020 Volunteers of the Year winners include:
Elementary Level
- Kayla Ammerman, Floral Avenue Elementary Youth Volunteer of the Year
Ammerman, a senior at Bartow High, has volunteered in a kindergarten classroom at Floral Avenue Elementary since she was in the sixth grade. Ammerman has helped with preparing homework packets, prepping centers, cleaning tables and reading to students. She's approached every task with an eagerness to learn best teaching practices. The school describes her as “a beautiful, gentle sprit” who is giving to others.
- Lisa Newberry, Frank E. Brigham Academy Adult Volunteer of the Year
Newberry is known as a tireless helper to teachers and encourager to students. She helps physical education teachers prepare for the day's lesson, which allows them to give maximum time and attention to their students. When she's not helping teachers prepare, she's often found cheering students on, and even running alongside them as they finish their final lap. Many of the students have taken to calling her “coach.” Newberry is also the acting PTO president, room mom for her daughter's classroom, copy mom for the entire fifth grade, and the school's liaison to local businesses and the surrounding community.
- Joanne Gabel, Alta Vista Elementary Senior Volunteer of the Year
Gabel has compromised eyesight and has to rely on her husband and others to drive her to and from Alta Vista Elementary. Despite this challenge, she volunteered more than 717 hours during the 2019-20 school year. She is particularly skilled at helping struggling readers build both their skills and confidence. Several of the students she has worked with have achieved significant improvements in their STAR reading scores. In its nomination of Gabel, the school wrote, “the gift our volunteer is giving will be felt for generations to come.”
Secondary Level
- Ashley Alvarado-Trejo, Bartow Middle Volunteer of the Year
Alvarado-Trejo previously attended Bartow Middle. Now that she's moved on to Bartow High Schools, she still makes time to go back to her middle school to help in any way that she can. She most often works with the school's chorus teacher, and can often be found in the copy room, making dozens of copies of music sheets. Alvarado-Trejo also mentors students and helps them make the transition from the middle school music program to the high school program.
- Tracey Porter, Southwest Middle Adult Volunteer of the Year
Porter volunteers a minimum of 20 hours a week and serves as PTA treasurer. She personally calls each parent to invite his/her child to Saturday Boot Camp and other extended learning opportunities. She also helps with the media center's Scholastic Book Fair and initiatives designed to boost teacher morale, chaperones at school events, and helps with National Junior Honor Society events and activities. Porter is described as going “above and beyond” for SWMS.
- Phyllis King, Union Academy Senior Volunteer of the Year
King can often be found copying, stapling, and sorting papers in the copy room so that teachers have more time to plan and work with students. When not helping teachers, she is usually working in the media center, patching and shelving books. She loves to get to know the students while helping them check out their next AR book. As an avid reader herself, it is easy for King to talk to students about books and encourage them to try something new. King also often brings in supplies for the school, including baggies and tissues, while never expecting anything in return.
PCPS' 2020 Volunteers of the Year honorees include:
| School |
Volunteer |
| Alta Vista Elementary |
Joanne Gabel |
| Alturas Elementary |
Elizabeth Breton |
| Auburndale Central Elementary |
Julieanna Wilkerson |
| Auburndale Senior High |
Tiffany Davidson |
| Bartow Elementary Academy |
Kelly Spezzano |
| Bartow Middle |
Ashley Alvarado -Trejo |
| Bartow Senior High |
Sabina Elmasri |
| Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary |
Carol Held |
| Bethune Academy |
Robert Cutrupi |
| Carlton Palmore Elementary |
Crystal Green |
| Chain Of Lakes Elementary |
Karen Mullen |
| Clarence Boswell Elementary |
Brittany Parsley |
| Cleveland Court Elementary |
Michelle Peronto |
| Combee Academy of Design and Engineering |
Gary Jones |
| Crystal Lake Elementary |
Gordon Barnes |
| Davenport School of the Arts |
Caroline Babbitt |
| Dr. NE Roberts Elementary |
Janet Luna |
| Dundee Elementary Academy |
Linda Kuchta |
| East Area Adult School |
Peter Scarnato |
| Eastside Elementary |
Cindy Warrick |
| Edgar L. Padgett Elementary |
Jessica Zhuo |
| Elbert Elementary |
Debbie Compton |
| Floral Avenue Elementary |
Kayla Ammermann |
| Fort Meade Middle/Senior High |
Luann Green |
| Frank E. Brigham Academy |
Lisa Newberry |
| Fred G. Garner Elementary |
Gorden Evans |
| Frostproof Elementary |
Jeannette Hamlin |
| Frostproof Middle/Senior High |
Marianne Brackley |
| Garden Grove Elementary |
Donna Jackson |
| Griffin Elementary |
Mary Clarke |
| Haines City Senior High |
Kari Stuart |
| Harrison School for the Arts |
Krista Alexander |
| Highland City Elementary |
Patricia Wooley |
| Highlands Grove Elementary |
Sandi Opalinski |
| Horizons Elementary |
Fabiola Viera |
| Inwood Elementary |
Cynthia Ashley |
| James E. Stephens Elementary |
Dawn Godwin |
| James W. Sikes Elementary |
Alisha Mishler |
| Jere L. Stambaugh Middle |
Kathy Sasnett |
| Jewett School of the Arts |
Andreaj Lott |
| John Snively Elementary |
Dan Moon |
| Kathleen Elementary |
Mildred “Millie” Pagan |
| Kathleen Senior High |
Vivian Sanders |
| Kingsford Elementary |
Meagan Doyle |
| Lake Alfred Elementary |
Vincent Guarcello |
| Lake Alfred Polytech Academy |
Erika Olivera |
| Lake Gibson Middle |
Elena Garcia Gonzalez |
| Lake Gibson Senior High |
Brenda Frye |
| Lake Region High |
Kevin Chioma |
| Lake Shipp Elementary |
Sara Test |
| Lakeland Highlands Middle |
Susie Bailey |
| Lawton Chiles Middle Academy |
Julie Roberts |
| Lena Vista Elementary |
Sarita Boyd |
| Lincoln Avenue Academy |
Rachel Torres |
| Loughman Oaks Elementary |
Jennifer Denham |
| McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy |
D'Juan Jones |
| Mulberry Middle |
Christine Harris |
| Mulberry Senior High |
Wendi Wilkerson |
| North Lakeland Elem. School of Choice |
Rhonda McGee |
| Oscar J. Pope Elementary |
Keiara Albritton |
| Palmetto Elementary |
Ralph Whalen |
| Philip O'Brien Elementary |
Forrest White |
| Pinewood Elementary |
Kathryn Holman |
| Polk City Elementary |
Crystal Pendergrass |
| Purcell Elementary |
Barbara Brooks |
| R. Bruce Wagner Elementary |
Brian Negron |
| R. Clem Churchwell Elementary |
Jennifer Lamanna Herndon |
| Ridge Community High |
Garrett Johnson |
| Rochelle School Of The Arts |
Tammie Cooney |
| Roosevelt Academy |
Peggy Hallett |
| Rosabelle W. Blake Academy |
Mary McDonald |
| Sandhill Elementary |
Sarah Roman |
| Scott Lake Elementary |
Jan Grove |
| Sleepy Hill Elementary |
Marjorie Meadows |
| Socrum Elementary |
Kristina Brinn |
| Southwest Elementary |
Donna Legg |
| Southwest Middle |
Tracey Porter |
| Spessard L Holland Elementary |
Hannah Petersen |
| Spook Hill Elementary |
David Caldwell |
| Tenoroc High |
Pauline Simmonds-Brown |
| Traviss Technical College |
Sterling Harte |
| Union Academy |
Phyllis King |
| Valleyview Elementary |
Francisca Mendez |
| Wahneta Elementary |
Linda Scanlon |
| Walter Caldwell Elementary |
Dorothy Baldwin |
| Wendell Watson Elementary |
Stan Saisa |
| West Area Adult/Community |
Elsie McCall |
| Winston Academy of Engineering |
Kristin Santonastaso |
| Winter Haven Senior High |
Darcey L Martin |