John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Behind the scenes, secretaries, custodians and other non-instructional, school related personnel are undoubtedly the magic that keeps Madison County schools alive. Through their interactions with students and staff, their presence and their hard work are cherished greatly, as it was shown through a special occasion on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Nine school related personnel, their supervisors or principals, and a number of family members gathered in the front office of Madison County High School (MCHS) where they were escorted to the Bandana Cafe down a red carpet, lauded tremendously by students and cheerleaders in appreciation. There, the honorees and their guests were treated to a delectable pork tenderloin lunch with delicious sides and desserts to kick off the event.
Welcomed by song through a rendition performed by Julia Roderick, and greeted by Dr. Barbara Pettiford, the ceremony began following an invocation by Madison County School Board Member Reginald Daniels. School Related Personnel nominees, as chosen by their respective school or department of employment, received individual plaques in appreciation of their service to the school, students and staff they so graciously serve.
Honored were: Cindy Boyd, Madison County School District (MCSD); Talecia Solomon, Greenville Elementary School (GES); Bobby Tompkins, James Madison Preparatory High School (JMPHS); Leroy James, Lee Elementary School (LES); Sonja Bass, Madison Creative Arts Academy (MCAA); Kathy Norwood, Madison County Central School (MCCS); Evelyn Chancy, MCHS; Kim Washington, Pinetta Elementary School (PES); and Derrick Love, MCSD Transportation.
Toward the end of the ceremony, Superintendent Shirley Joseph announced MCAA's Sonja Bass as the 2019-2020 Madison County School District School Related Personnel of the Year.
An assistant physical education teacher at MCAA, and a native of Alapaha, Ga., Bass has been a Madison County resident for the past 18 years with her husband, Scott, and two children: Alden and Harper.
Out of the 18 years spent in North Florida, Bass has worked for Madison County schools for 11 years, with tenure at MCHS and MCCS in the Community Based Instruction (CBI) program. The last eight years, however, Bass has worked with MCAA and she states there is no other place she would rather be.
Congratulations to all employees who were chosen to represent their school or department for the 2019-2020 school year. Your work and diligent efforts do not go unnoticed and you are greatly appreciated here in Cowboy Country!