Volunteerism continues to grow and grow! Over 652,604 hours of volunteer service, valued at $13,215,246, were contributed by volunteers to the Little Rock School District during the 2009-10 school year, the most volunteer hours ever recorded for a single school year.
The Little Rock School District's Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS) honored the many men, women, students and organizations that donate their time and energy to the LRSD and its students at its 28th annual district-wide volunteer recognition reception, “An Evening for the Stars,” on April 20 at Hall High School.
Awards in outstanding volunteerism were presented to schools, volunteers and partners. A special award established by ViPS in memory of the program’s founder, Jane Mendel, was presented to two volunteers who have achieved an exceptional level of service. This year’s Jane Mendel Award recipients were Linda K. Smith (left in photo above) and Rita F. Qualls (right).
Ron McAdoo, a musician, writer, artist and LRSD teacher, emceed the awards portion of the program. Ninety individual and business nominees were recognized for their volunteer service and support, and 30 nominees were honored with awards for their accomplishments. Thirty-five schools were recognized for special achievements in volunteer hours. The top performing schools were Fulbright Elementary, Pulaski Heights Middle and Central High schools. See a complete list of winners below.
ViPS was founded in 1972 to provide assistance to teachers and other staff members of the Little Rock School District by promoting volunteerism. ViPS serves as a link between the district and the community while providing patrons and citizens the opportunity to be significantly involved in the education of children.
2010 ViPS Award Winners
Jane Mendel Award: Linda K. Smith, Central High School; Rita F. Qualls, J.A. Fair High School.
Community Volunteer Award: Rafael Vega, Wilson Elementary School; Nathanael Wills, Felder Learning Academy; Jim Sanders, Jefferson Elementary School.
Staff Award: Neva Johnson, Felder Learning Academy; Oscar Lester, Dodd Elementary.
Parent Involvement Award: Project Graduation, Central High School; Loriee Evans, Gibbs Elementary School.
Administrator Award: Donna Hall, Otter Creek Elementary School.
Community Resource Award: Verizon Wireless, Central High School; UAMS House of Delegates, Woodruff Early Childhood Center; OK Program, Dunbar Middle and Central High Schools.
Leadership Award: Melissa Hawkins, Central High School; Eric and Sherrie McKisick, Hall High School; Lauren Wickersham, Carver Elementary School.
Elementary Student Volunteer Award: Megan Easter, Carver Magnet School; Janee Townsend, Stephens Elementary School.
High School Student Volunteer Award: Vanessa Pickett, McClellan High School.
Elementary Educator Award: Gene Williams, Carver Elementary School; Gloria Carroll, Franklin Elementary School.
Secondary Educator Award: Maurice Guest, Mann Middle School; The Memory Project—George West, Keith Richardson and Cynthia Nunnley, Central High School.
Tutor Award: Lisa Gondek, Terry Elementary School.
Family School Volunteer Award: Tonya Mitchell, King Elementary School; Tom and Angie King, Carver Elementary School; Beverly Jones, Central High School; Kendra Boyle, Dunbar Middle School.
Partners in Education Award: Arkansas Sustainability Network, Felder Learning Academy; Transamerica Worksite Marketing, Dodd Elementary School.
School Achievements
ViPS recognizes schools for significant accomplishments and achievements reflective through volunteer service contributed on behalf of the school. Thirty-five schools were recognized this year.
100% in volunteer service reported for the 2009-10 school year: McDermott Elementary School, Wakefield Elementary School, Hall High School, King Elementary School, Chicot Primary School, Geyer Springs Elementary School, Mabelvale Middle School, Forest Heights Middle School.
10+ Award: Schools reporting an average of 10 volunteer hours per student. Accelerated Learning Center, Mabelvale Middle School, Dodd Elementary School, Meadowcliff Elementary School, Stephens Elementary School, Fair Park Early Childhood Center, JA Fair High School, Mabelvale Elementary School, Western Hills Elementary School, Pulaski Heights Elementary School, Hall High School, McDermott Elementary School.
20+ Award: Schools reporting an average of 20 volunteer hours per student. Gibbs Elementary School, Dunbar Middle School, Mann Middle School, Franklin Elementary School, Geyer Springs Elementary School, McClellan High School.
30+ Award: Schools reporting an average of 30 volunteer hours per student. Chicot Primary School, M.L. King Elementary School.
40+ Award: Schools reporting an average of 40 volunteer hours per student. Brady Elementary School, Williams Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School, Woodruff Early Childhood Center.
50+ Award: Reporting an average of 50 volunteer hours or more per student. Jefferson Elementary School, Carver Elementary School.
60+ Awards: Reporting an average of 60 volunteer hours or more per student. Booker Elementary School.
80+ Award: Reporting an average of 80 volunteer hours per student. Forest Park Elementary School.
Top elementary school performer: Fulbright Elementary School, reporting 70,558 total volunteer service hours, averaging 89 volunteer service hours per student.
Top middle school performer: Pulaski Heights Middle School, reporting 29,977 volunteer hours, averaging 33 hours per student.
Top high school performer: Central High School, reporting 115,000 hours, averaging 50 hours per student.
Briana Davis, Student Body President at Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School, recently accepted a $3,000 scholarship from the Political Animals Club of Little Rock.