Recognition Programs
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.
Hall of Fame
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 over 100 former students. Hall of Fame members are from the arts, business, clergy, education, entertainment, government, law, military, medicine, sports or other fields.
2012 Inductees
Congratulations to Sheriff Grady Judd, Dr. George E. Lees, Kathleen Parker and Michael Yon.
Sheriff Grady Judd is a native of Polk County and currently serves as Polk County Sheriff. He began his Sheriff’s Office career in 1972 after graduating from Lakeland High. He started as a dispatcher eventually progressing through the ranks-holding every title from Sergeant to Colonel. In 2004, he became Sheriff. Sheriff Judd is committed to making sure the Polk County Sheriff’s Office maintains the highest standards of public service and best practices in the nation. He is also a strong proponent of education. He holds a bachelors and masters in criminal justice from Rollins College and served as an adjunct professor at both the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI National Executive Institute. He also participated in the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) Law Enforcement Exchange Program (LEEP). He is a past recipient of Polk State College’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2008 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, the Great American Hero Award from the Freedom Federation, and the 2011 Protect Our Children Junny Award.
Dr. George E. Lees is a Diplomat in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and a professor in the Department of Veterinary Small Animal Clinic Sciences at Texas A&M University. He is a researcher in small animal medicine, specializing in veterinary nephrology and urology. A Lakeland High graduate, Dr. Lees is known for his groundbreaking work on hereditary nephritis, an inherited kidney disorder seen in canines. In 2007, Dr. Lees and his colleagues published Genetic Cause of Autosomal Recessive Hereditary Nephropathy in the English Cocker Spaniel in which the cause of the disease was identified and explanation was given for how testing for the mutation will allow eradication of the malady from the breed. He is also the recipient of The Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)/American Kennel Club (AKC) Career Achievement Award in Canine Research. Dr. Lees received his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Colorado State University, a master of science from University of Minnesota and a bachelor of science from Colorado State University.
Kathleen Parker started writing a “lifestyle” column in the 1980s while working as a staff writer for The Orlando Sentinel. More than two decades later, she writes a column that is nationally syndicated and appears in about 450 papers including The Washington Post and The Ledger. She is the recipient of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary with a selection of political opinion columns. The Winter Haven High graduate is also the author of Save the Males: Why Men Matter, Why Women Should Care. She is a regular guest on television shows like The O’Reilly Factor, The Chris Matthews Show and Larry King Live. She also serves on the Board of Contributors for USA Today’s Forum Page, part of the newspaper’s Opinion section. Mrs. Parker attended Florida State University where she received a bachelors and masters degree in Spanish Literature.
Michael Yon is a former Green Beret who reports from the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2004, he’s been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, ABC and Fox. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and hundreds of other major media outlets around the world. The Winter Haven native and Winter Haven High graduate is also the author of Danger Close, a critically acclaimed memoir, and Moment of Truth in Iraq, a book packed with his exciting and often heart-rending tales from the battlefields. Mr.Yon has worked hard to earn his reputation as “the premier independent combat journalist of his generation.” He’s chosen to work independently in order to learn the truth for himself and to report without fear or favor.
The 2012 Hall of Fame sponsors were: AT&T, Citizens Bank & Trust, Publix Super Markets Charities and the Polk Education Foundation.
Download the 2013 Nomination Form- PDF or 2013 Nomination Form-Word to nominate someone you know.
Commissioner's Business Recognition Award
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.
Morgan Stanley Lakeland facilitated a one million endowment to the Polk Education Foundation in 2012, in addition to their generous support of professional development and student scholarships..
State Farm
provided more than $150,000 to support teen driver programs, service learning instruction and Teen Trendsetter Reading Mentors in the 2011-12 school year.
Superintendent's Partnership Awards
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.
Elementary- Summit Consulting
Summit Consulting is the recipient of the 2012 Elementary Partner of the Year Award. The organization led a fundraising effort called “Employee Coin Wars” which yielded almost $2,500 for incentives that supported the academic achievements of students at Oscar J. Pope Elementary. .
Middle/High- Lake Wales Care Center
Lake Wales Care Center allows Roosevelt Academy students the opportunity to learn job skills while completing on the job training.
District Office- Winter Haven Public Education Partnership
The Winter Haven Public Education Partnership built relationships between local schools and businesses that have resulted in the formation of the Cybersecurity and Technobotics Academies at Winter Haven High and the Law Academy at Lake Region High.
Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Awards Program
Congratulations to Virginia Watkins of Purcell Elementary and Janice Wyatt of Churchwell Elementary, 2013 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year. Click here for more information on this year's Polk County Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year.
About Face Awards
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.
To view a list of this year's About Face winners click here.
For more information, contact Community Involvement
Master Key Awards
2013 Master Key Recipients
Heather Wallace
For the past fifteen years, Heather Wallace has worked hard to build relationships with the families of students with disabilities at Highland City Elementary. She has served as a tireless advocate for inclusion, providing strategies for classroom teachers and encouragement for students and families.
Martha Dickinson
For more than 20 years Martha Dickinson found teaching an exciting daily exploration of each student’s learning style. She incorporates gardening into her curriculum and Dundee Elementary has enjoyed the vegetables and butterflies that appear as she teaches reading, math and science concepts to her eager students.
For her dedication, creativity and determination, Martha Dickinson has earned the 2013 Master Key Award
Valencia Sanders
Valencia Sanders has an uncanny ability to effectively instruct and insure quality educational access for her students. She is an expert in assisting students to access courses through Virtual School classes and modifying curriculum to meet the unique learning styles of cognitively impaired students.
For her tenacity, expertise, and effectiveness, Valencia Sanders has earned the 2013 Master Key Award.
Randall Libby
Randall Libby has been proactive in arranging testing of basic literacy skills for his students at Auburndale High, enabling them to enroll in programs at Traviss and Ridge Career Center. This has provided them the opportunity to maximize their ability to earn a living and become life long learners.
For his initiative and commitment, Randall Libby is awarded the 2013 Master Key Award.
Pam Moore
Pam Moore is a relentless advocate for deaf and hearing impaired students. Her strong connection with the First Aviation Sertoma Club has resulted in the donation of hearing aids totaling more than $5000 for students.
For her initiative and commitment, Pam Moore from Southwest Middle is awarded the 2013 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.
Volunteer of the Year
2013 Inductees
Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year
De’Aonte Broome
Garner Elementary
De’Aonte has been an active and invaluable member of the Garner family since high school. His contributions include tutoring students in math and reading, volunteering at summer reading camp and mentoring. His graduation from the Police Academy has given students a living example of the rewards that hard work and perseverance bring.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year
Elementary level
Petra Gonzalez
Dundee Elementary
Since 1995, Petra has served Dundee Elementary as a volunteer. She is a mentor to students and families assuring that members of the Hispanic community become full partners in their children’s education. Students learn their alphabet and master high frequency words through her patient and skillful tutoring. She is a source of positive help and comfort for families in need.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year
Secondary level
Richard Abbott
Stambaugh Middle
Helping students overcome life’s challenges is the mission of Richard Abbott’s volunteer service. The victim of a bicycling accident at age 20, Richard was left with traumatic brain injury. He has chosen to mentor Stambaugh Middle students who are academically and socially challenged.
Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year
Secondary level
Nat West
Winter Haven High
Nat doesn’t just get involved, he gets others involved. He created the Career Connection program at Winter Haven High to provide direction for students as they consider their future occupations. He has recruited more than 100 community mentors who meet weekly with students to share experiences and guidance that will help them be successful in the career of their choice.
Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year
Elementary level
Mike Howell
Davenport School of the Arts
As a member of the Master Gardeners Association, Mike Howell has created a five acre outdoor classroom at Davenport School of the Arts. He has marshaled the resources of the District Facilities Department, Lowe’s and local civic organizations to fulfill the school’s vision that includes hydroponic gardening, drought resistant plantings, fruit bearing trees and a performance stage.
Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year
Secondary level
Trentin Kelly
Jean O’Dell Learning Center
Trentin has helped students in the Agriculture and Science departments at Jean O’Dell Learning Center since he was in the 9th grade. He has prepared trees, plants and vegetables for student’s classroom assignments and helps them feed the livestock. Jean O’Dell students look up to him as a role model, a counselor and a source of wisdom.
Volunteer of the Year is sponsored by The Ledger.
For more information, contact Community Involvement