The Picayune School District’s Board of Trustees heard about this year’s Parents of the Year and heard about achievements by the high school’s band members.
This year’s Parent of the Year for Nicholson Elementary is Lori Jackman. She was described as a parent that is always willing to help.
The Parent of the Year for Picayune Junior High is Beth Ffandenhauer, who has been working with the students in a variety of ways, including students on the student council and on the dance team.
Kimberly Ramsay was named Parent of the Year for the Picayune Memorial High School, for her work managing concession stands at the baseball field and for being in charge of the Friday night football programs.
Michelle Hall was named Parent of the Year for Roseland Park Elementary for taking over the presidential duties of the Parent Teacher Organization.
At South Side Upper Elementary, Leah Warino was chosen as the Parent of the Year for her volunteer work with the school’s art program and with the PTO.
Amber Hinton was named Parent of the Year for South Side Lower Elementary for her work with the school’s PTO and her help at every school function.
Karen Guidry was chosen as the Parent of the Year for West Side Elementary. She was described as helping to bring the school’s PTO to a stable situation through her successful organization of fundraisers and providing the school’s administration with honest feedback and solutions to problems when necessary.
After naming all of the Parents of the Year, Superintendent Dean Shaw named Warino as the District Parent of the Year.
Also during the meeting, the Board took a moment to hear from the high school’s Band Director John Cockrell, who said that several of his students were offered scholarships. Of those that indicated they plan to go to college, 100 percent were offered scholarships to do so.
If a student opts to go to William Carey University, that student will receive a $500 scholarship. Students that plan to attend Pearl River Community College and participate in the school’s marching and concert bands will receive a 100 percent scholarship, Cockrell said.
He said that for the past four years about 100 percent of his students who wanted to go to college were offered a band scholarship.
Board Member Frank Feeley then took a moment to recognize Cockrell and his students for their positive behavior during a recent trip to Disney World.
That commendation was based off a letter sent to the district by a Disney World employee, who commended the students on their good behavior while waiting to ride Splash Mountain.
For more coverage of Tuesday’s meeting, see Thursday’s Item.