Polk County Public Schools, Community
Keyword for this page: Awards
The Polk County School Board has many events and programs celebrating the accomplishments and hard work of our staff, community partners and students from both the present and the past. The following recognition events are coordinated by the Community Relations Department.
The Polk County Schools Hall of Fame was created in 1985 to recognize former students of Polk County Public Schools who have gone on to distinguish themselves in their careers or communities. Since its inception, the Hall of Fame has inducted 99 former students. Hall of Fame members are from the arts, business, clergy, education, entertainment, government, law, military, medicine, sports or other fields.
Polk County School Board Hall of Fame Awards-June 10, 2011
Congratulations to Mayor Gow Fields, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, Ron Jeffries and Edgar Pickett, Jr.
Gow Fields was elected Lakeland mayor in November 2009, the first African-American to be elected to the position. He served on the Lakeland city commission from 1992 to 2009 before being elected mayor. Mr. Fields is on the board of directors of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and the Florida League of Mayors. He is also affiliated with the Tampa Bay Partnership and the MyRegion.org, economic and business development groups. Mr. Fields has been a prominent member of the local insurance industry since 1988 as both an Allstate representative and operating his own independent agency. He is the president and CEO of Fields & Company, Inc., d/b/a Fields Insurance and Financial Group. Mr. Fields holds undergraduate degrees from the former Polk Community College and the University of South Florida. He has a MBA from Nova Southeastern University. He graduated from Lakeland’s Kathleen High where he is a member of Kathleen’s Hall of Fame. Mr. Fields has received distinguished alumnus awards from Kathleen High and Polk Community College.
Kay Hagan was elected U.S. Senator as a Democrat from North Carolina in November 2008 defeating incumbent Elizabeth Dole. She served for ten years in the North Carolina state senate and for ten years she worked for North Carolina-based NationsBank, the predecessor to Bank of America. Her responsibilities at NationsBank included the position of vice president in the estates and trust division. Senator Hagan was born in Shelby, N.C. but raised in Lakeland. Her father, Joe P. Ruthven, was a Lakeland mayor and her uncle Lawton Chiles (Polk County Public Schools Hall of Fame inaugural member, 1985), was a U.S. senator, Florida governor and Florida state legislator. Her experience with public service and politics came at an early age as she helped her uncle place campaign bumper stickers on cars. While in the North Carolina senate, she championed middle class tax cuts, expanding access to healthcare and higher education and creating jobs. She has continued those platforms in her first term in Washington. Senator Hagan earned a law degree from Wake Forest University and her bachelor’s is from Florida State University. She is a Lakeland High graduate.
Ron Jeffries was a high-level official in the area of vocational and technical education with both the Florida Department of Education and the Polk Public Schools. He was a state vocational director and an assistant superintendent in Polk. His contributions led to his inductions into both the Florida Vocational Association Hall of Fame and Florida FFA Hall of Fame. Mr. Jeffries was considered decades ahead of his time for his creation of small, career and technical education components integrated with academic learning. He was an early visionary implementing school-based and work-based learning activities supported by strong partnerships with the business community. In 1983, at the peak of an unemployment crisis, Mr. Jeffries was appointed to a state senate task force creating solutions to the high unemployment rate caused by phosphate industry downsizing. Mr. Jeffries used resources of the Ridge and Traviss technical centers and regional adult schools to create both long and short-term programs that helped many workers transition into other employment. Mr. Jeffries holds bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is a Lakeland High graduate.
Edgar Pickett, Jr. was among the first group of African-Americans with the Lakeland Police and worked for the LPD for more than 30 years. He made his mark as finger print expert during an era when fingerprinting was done by hand and sight rather than computer. A Lakeland Police crime laboratory was named the Pickett-Moulden Crime Laboratory for Mr. Pickett and his long-time partner Herman Moulden. Mr. Pickett’s fingerprinting expertise was utilized by law enforcement agencies from all over including the FBI. Mr. Pickett, the state’s Identification Officer of the Year at one point in his career, assisted many law enforcement departments that did not have fingerprint experts on staff. His system of classifying fingerprints was also copied and used by many agencies. Mr. Pickett was publicly lauded for his involvement with President Carter’s visit to Lakeland in 1980. His work helped to identify a suspect considered an assassination threat. Mr. Pickett’s post-secondary education included studies at the Eastman-Kodak company, the FBI Academy, the University of Virginia and Hardee, Pasco and Polk community colleges. He graduated from Washington Park High, the precursor to Rochelle High and the current Rochelle School of the Arts.
Click here for a complete list of inductees.
The 2011 Premiere Sponsor for Hall of Fame was Everest University.
Other sponsors included TD Bank, Publix Super Markets Charities and the Polk Education Foundation.
Download the 2012 Nomination Form- PDF or 2012 Nomination Form-Word to nominate someone you know.
The Commissioner of Education Business Recognition Award is given annually to two Polk County partners who have provided significant resources to Polk County Public Schools.
Bosko Family Enterprises Beef ‘O’ Brady’s has been involved with more than 25 Polk County schools, donating more than $50,000 and well over 6,000 volunteer hours. Schools receive a percentage of sales from Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Spirit Nights. Teachers and volunteers are honored through monthly and annual recognition programs. Bosko Family Enterprises Beef O’Brady’s features ten certification programs that award students free meals for excellence in academics, attendance and behavior.
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. is a proud partner and sponsor of numerous programs and events administered/supported by the Polk Education Foundation, such as Teacher of the Year, Project Fill A Bucket, Take Stock in Children and the Hall of Fame banquet. Since 2004, Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. has contributed $142,500 to the PEF, to help support educational programming that ensures success for Polk County students and teachers.
The Superintendent’s Partnership Award is given to a partner at each school has provided exemplary support for students, faculty and administration. Finalists at the elementary, secondary and district level are selected by the Superintendent. The Superintendent provides this recognition opportunity to schools in cooperation with Polk Education Foundation, Community Relations and Workforce Education.
Beymer United Methodist Church of Winter Haven has poured its resources of people, time, expertise, space, and finances into Inwood Elementary School for the betterment of its students. Through tutoring sessions, supplying donations of gifts and supplies and allowing Inwood Elementary to use their Fellowship Hall for events while the school was under construction, this partnership exemplifies the meaning of a good community partner.
The partnerships between Lake Gibson High, Auburndale High and Rodda Construction have made a huge impact on student achievement, morale and teacher/staff relations. Rodda has provided support to each high school through monetary donations, mentoring relationships and in-kind products to programs such as athletics and academic clubs. Their presence on campus during construction projects and off-campus during fundraising events has led both high schools to meet goals and gain achievements that could not have been completed without Rodda’s help.
The Community Relations Department would like to thank MIDFLORIDA for their 57-year partnership with the Polk County School District. Each year the credit union supplies over 11,000 kindergartners with books, provides funding for classroom grants, supports fundraising initiatives, provides incentives for teachers including a brand new car for the selected Polk County Teacher of the Year, sponsors scholarships at every traditional high school in the county, and provides a presence for mulitple other events and programs that are conducted in the Polk County School District.
Congratulations to Linda Robinson of Winter Haven High and Norma Reyes of Purcell Elementary, 2012 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year. Click here for more information on this year's Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year.
The About Face Award recognizes secondary students who have made a significant turn around in their behavior, academic achievement and attendance in school. One student from each middle and high school in the district receive the award annually at the Awards Program. Students are nominated by their school and receive a medallion for their success.
This event is made possible through the sponsorship of TECO Energy.
For more information, contact Community Involvement
2012 Master Key Recipients
Ann Zimmerman
Ann Zimmerman wants the very best for each and every one of her students, accommodating her students without enabling them. She is master of collecting data on students to reflect what they are truly capable of in the regular classroom setting and strives for each of her students to be as successful as possible in the regular classroom. For her positive attitude and outstanding advocacy for students the 2012 Master Key Award is awarded to Ann Zimmerman.
For her positive attitude and outstanding advocacy for students the 2012 Master Key Award is awarded to Ann Zimmerman.
Nancy Gornoski
Nancy Gornoski provides quality academic and behavioral services to students with disabilities to ensure academic success. She has proven herself to be an excellent resource for school staff providing effective strategies and creating curriculum materials that can be easily and readily implemented in the general education classroom. For her knowledge, compassion, and perception Nancy Gornoski has received the 2012 master Key Award.
For her knowledge, compassion, and perception Nancy Gornoski has received the 2012 Master Key Award.
Susan Adamson
For 28 years, Susan has taught students with visual impairment. She is a model teacher who is highly professional and knows how to motivate her students. She continues to seek new ways of teaching students with disabilities and is known for her generosity to students. Susan is a strong advocate for students with visual impairment and has excellent communication skills and the ability to convey a positive message at IEP meetings. For her generosity, diligence and commitment, the Master Key Award is awarded to Susan Adamson.
For her generosity, diligence and commitment, the Master Key Award is awarded to Susan Adamson.
Becky Rhodes
Becky Rhodes elevates her role as a teacher by mentoring with students with disabilities She prepares high school students for their future by checking on each of her students daily regarding attendance, behavior, missing assignments, grades, and any problems they might be having Though her soft-spoken and gentle manner is comforting, Becky is a fierce advocate for students – and will accept no excuses from them or their families. She has high expectations for the students, and parents, and also for herself. For her excellent focus and example Becky Rhodes is awarded the 2012 Master Key Award.
For her focused attention and exemplary work ethic, Becky Rhodes is awarded the 2012 Master Key Award.
Cindy Gillingham
Cindy Gillingham has worked with students who pose significant challenges as well as students who have severe medical needs. With her help over the last 30 years, their disabilities have not affected their ability to make significant learning gains. Her dedication to the education of students with special needs goes above and beyond the call of duty. For her dedication, expertise and commitment, Cindy Gillingham is awarded the 2012 Master Key Award.
For her dedication, expertise and commitment, Cindy Gillingham is awarded the 2012 Master Key Award.
The extraordinary efforts that teachers of exceptional students make to help them achieve their maximum potential. They award the Master Key award to four exceptional education teachers who have demonstrated excellence, perseverance and longevity in their careers.
These awards are made possible through the sponsorship of TECO Energy.
For more information, contact Community Involvement.
2012 Inductees
Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year
Joe Bacon and Bianca Mulaney
Blake Academy
As a team, Joe Bacon and Bianca Mulaney created an after school mentoring project to assist 2nd and 3rd grade struggling readers. They recruited 19 of their fellow students at Bartow IB to commit to weekly afterschool sessions which provided Teen Trendsetter reading training, cultural presentations, and teambuilding activities throughout the school year.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year
Elementary level
Darcey Martin
Chain of Lakes Elementary
Darcey developed a tutoring program that pairs Chain of Lakes students, reinforcing the older student’s reading skills and increasing vocabulary for the younger students. Her “Volunteers in the Classroom” initiative has resulted in 200 new volunteers at Chain of Lakes Elementary this year.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year
Secondary level
Arvilla Stokes
West Area Adult
Arvilla Stokes serves the Polk County Adult School as a volunteer proctor for the GED test enabling more than 200 adults to gain their GED. This year she established a $10,000 scholarship fund in memory of her parents, Earl and Elaine Stokes. Thirteen students have met the application requirements and received a scholarship.
Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year
Secondary level
Sheldon Katsoff
Mulberry Middle and Mulberry High
Sheldon Katsoff moved to Mulberry High School this year with the young man he had mentored in middle school. Once there, he trained 65 community and staff members to mentor students. More than 100 students are presently being mentored at Mulberry High and Mulberry Middle. For his accomplishments in Polk County, he was honored by the Commissioner of Education with the 2012 State of Florida Outstanding School Volunteer Award.
Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year
Elementary level
JoEllen Brogdon
Gibbons Street Elementary
Each day, JoEllen Brogdon maintains a warm and welcoming presence in the office at Gibbons Street Elementary. Her day starts at 7:30 and ends at 3:00 when the attendance reports are collected and the last child has gone home. Her daily service represents an in kind donation of more than $9,000 to Gibbons Street Elementary.
Volunteer of the Year honors outstanding volunteers in our schools. Each school nominates a volunteer who has provided exceptional service to students and teachers throughout the year. There are three categories of winners, youth (up to 21), adult (22-60) and senior (61+). Twelve outstanding volunteers are selected each year as finalists, four in each category.
Volunteer of the Year is sponsored by The Ledger.
For more information, contact Community Involvement