Volunteer spirit flourishing in Obion Co. School System

Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6:00 pm

The Messenger 04.25.12

National Volunteer Week was marked last week, with the Obion County School System recognizing some people who volunteer in the schools everyday to inspire and encourage Obion County children.
From parents and grandparents to retired educators and interested citizens, Obion County is fortunate to have so many caring volunteers who are always willing to give their time to the schools and the children, according to school officials.
“Our school volunteers are valuable resources to assist us in measuring the successes of all our students,” Obion County Director of Schools David Huss said. “The Obion County School System fosters academic success in our students, promotes good character and contributes to the community by preparing its students to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We appreciate our volunteers’ dedication to education and dedication to the students of Obion County.”
Among those recognized were:
• Stephanie Jones — She volunteers her time at Black Oak Elementary School in Hornbeak, where a recent assignment found her helping fifth-graders with their reading assignment.
Guidance counselor Melissa Logan said Ms. Jones is always willing to help in any way and is always pleasant and positive. She said Ms. Jones is always asking, “What can I do for you?”
“She is the first to volunteer and never tells anybody no,” Ms. Logan said.
In addition, Ms. Jones volunteers in the afterschool program, grades papers and helps with students’ writing. Ms. Logan said Ms. Jones “knows most all the students at Black Oak by name and makes every effort to say something kind to them when she is in the building.”
• Shanna Ferguson — She is Black Oak’s Parent-Teacher Organization president and one recent volunteer assignment found her reading to the school’s kindergartners. She has served as PTO president the past five years and has served in other PTO positions.
Ms. Logan said Mrs. Ferguson heads up all fund raisers for Black Oak, helps the teachers in any way she can, serves as a room mother, gives support, grades papers, helps students with reading and writing and “makes people laugh.” She said Mrs. Ferguson also coordinates a Christmas store to allow students to shop for their families at Christmas time.
• Don and Lori Robertson — They are volunteers at their child’s school at South Fulton Elementary, where school principal Elise Braswell said the Robertsons are always willing to help with almost anything they need at the school.
The Robertsons also serve as PTO officers and both substitute teach.
• Shelby Bailey — She volunteers at Hillcrest Elementary School in Troy, where she recently worked to straighten book shelves after a Read Across America event among other assignments. Her grandson is a student at the school.
Hillcrest librarian Amanda Haynes said Mrs. Bailey volunteers her time to decorate the library for every holiday, helps with library events and even cleans and straightens the room. Ms. Haynes says Mrs. Bailey does “a ton of things she may not get credit for.”
“I am so thankful for volunteers like Shelby,” Ms. Haynes added.
• Shelia Haynes — Several volunteers helped make Hillcrest’s recent book fair a huge success, Ms. Haynes among them. For example, she and Lori Carpenter volunteered under the direction of Hillcrest assistant librarian Lisa Horner and the three worked as cashiers to help shoppers complete their purchases.
Ms. Haynes is a retired Fulton County, Ky., educator and enjoys volunteering in the Hillcrest library, where her niece, Amanda Haynes, is the librarian. Mrs. Carpenter’s son is a first-grader at Hillcrest.

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