Richland One Honors Outstanding School Volunteers

Richland One is grateful for its more than 3,000 volunteers who collectively logged more than 100,000 hours in district schools in the past year. The district recognized outstanding school volunteers at a reception in their honor on April 27 at the Challenger Learning Center.

Volunteers were honored in eight awards categories:

2009 Volunteer Group of the Year: Fort Jackson Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, Burnside Elementary School
Despite their busy schedules, these Fort Jackson drill sergeants of the 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment visit Burnside Elementary School once a week to read, talk, lunch and spend time with students, resulting in an improvement in student reading and behavior.

2009 Volunteer of the Year: James Boggs, H.B. Rhame Elementary School
James Boggs has made a positive difference in the lives of numerous children at H.B. Rhame Elementary School and in the surrounding community through tutoring, mentoring and involvement in Kid’s Café at St. Andrew’s Baptist Church.

2009 Partner of the Year: St. John Baptist Church (Watkins-Nance Elementary School)
Each week members of St. John Baptist Church serve as Lunch Buddies, mentors, tutors and classroom assistants at Watkins-Nance Elementary. In addition, the church gives first-year teachers money to purchase classroom materials to enhance student academic instruction. (This award recognizes a business or community group that has made significant contributions to a school.)

2009 Stevenson Award of Excellence: Elizabeth R. Eason, principal of Hyatt Park Elementary School
Hyatt Park Elementary School Principal Liz Eason is strongly committed to the school’s volunteer program which has continued to thrive under her leadership. She promotes and facilitates activities to increase parent involvement. (This award recognizes an outstanding principal who promotes volunteerism.)

2009 Sam Hopkins Volunteer Administrator of the Year: Mary Frances Koon, C. A. Johnson Preparatory Academy
In addition to the school volunteer program, Mary Frances Koon, parent coordinator at C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, has organized numerous school programs, events and projects including the Parent Cluster Walk, Holiday Toy Appreciation Drive, Parents’ Workshop and Training Sessions, the "Grapevine" parent newsletter and the Parent VIP (Very Involved Parent) Tree. (This award recognizes a paid staff person who coordinates his/her school volunteer program)

2009 Volunteers with the Most Hours
Collectively these three volunteers have provided more than 2,970 hours of service to Richland One schools.

* 2009 Elementary School Volunteer with the Most Hours: Annette Folk, Carver-Lyon Elementary School

* 2009 Middle School Volunteer with the Most Hours: Monika Zambrana, Southeast Middle School

* 2009 High School Volunteer with the Most Hours: Sheila Mazyck, Lower Richland High School