State Board of Education Honors Four in Richland One

Two individuals and two groups from Richland School District One were among 19 individuals and civics organizations recognized by the State Board of Education for their volunteer efforts in local schools. State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum presented the awards.
They are: Audrey Scott, S. Kilbourne Elementary School; Hattie Bailey, Watkins-Nance Elementary School; Tracey Ely and Tutor Eau Claire! and Rev. Michael Sullivan and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Audrey Scott has been a volunteer at S. Kilbourne Elementary for seven years. Currently she spends five days a week at school assisting in the media center, chaperoning field trips, serving as a mentor and testing monitor. Affectionately know as "Momma," she provides clothing, book bags and medical assistance for needy children and has assisted parents in paying their utility bills to prevent children from suffering. She also publishes month newsletters for the media center.
Hattie Bailey, an 81-year-old grandmother, spends five hours a day working at Watkins-Nance Elementary School, assisting teachers and students. After receiving a teaching degree in cosmetology and working with adults for one year, she decided to work with children and became a teacher's assistant, a position she held for 22 years. She has spent the past 27 years as a volunteer in Richland One schools.

Tracey Ely, along with her husband, Dr. Bert Ely, purchased a house in the Eau Claire to help children in the community. In 1999, they opened a small tutoring center in their home, run by student volunteers from USC and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Tutor Eau Claire! now serves students from five schools in the Eau Claire cluster and has more than 75 volunteers. They also have an after-school homework center in their home and have operated a five-week, half-day summer program.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral has been W.A. Perry Middle's faith-based partner since March of 2003. Volunteers provide tutoring Monday through Thursday, enrichment clubs on Wednesday and weekly student incentives. The enrichment clubs include golf, fabric weaving, creative movement, American Red Cross babysitting certification, soccer, drama and cooking. Other activities include essay and letter-writing contests. This past summer, Trinity sponsored 100 students to a weeklong camp at Camp Bob in Hendersonville.

"These extraordinary volunteers give unselfishly of their time to provide our students with meaningful learning opportunities," said Tenenbaum. "This year's honorees not only see the needs of students, but also see how they can personally help to meet those needs. Our schools are better places because of their service."

The awards are authorized by the Education Improvement Act of 1984 and are designed to honor the time, energy, talents and other resources contributed to South Carolina schools.

The Volunteer Awards honor significant contributions made by three categories of recipients: civic organizations, individuals and school improvement councils. Candidates are nominated by school districts across the state. Criteria for selection include promoting student achievement, enhancing school-community relations, strengthening school or district resources, encouraging a positive climate and promoting teacher effectiveness.

A statewide panel of judges selected the winners from 70 nominations.