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Wednesday, June 5, 2013 wilsontimes.com 7D2013 Simon Award WinnersTen Wilson County Schools employeesand one school won awards during the2013 Simon Awards held May 9. Theawards, which debuted in 2010, stand asthe highest recognition the school systembestows on an employee or school andrecognize exceptional performance. TheSimon Awards carry the name of the lateDavid Simon, a Fike High School studentwhose response to a cancer diagnosis wasto become a scholar. Simon passed awayAug. 9, 2010.“In a year of unbearably heavy decisionsuncommon to most adults, Davidexcelled at school and decided the courseof his life,” said Fike High School PrincipalSteve Ellis. “His strength, perseveranceand courage carried him a long wayfollowing the summer of 2009 when cancerappeared. And he outdistanced everydoctor’s prediction for a year. During thatyear, he changed an entire school system.Following his diagnosis, David turnedhimself into an honor student, a scholarwho tried harder and harder as each daybecame more and more difficult. In spiteof surgeries and chemotherapies and extendedstays at Duke University Hospital,at Fike and in class was where he wantedto be. He was and still is an inspiration.”The award categories are styled afterthe Academy Awards and salute highperformance in instructional, administrativeand support services. Schools anddepartments were invited to submit nominationsin February. In March, the superintendent’sTeacher Advisory Committee,composed of all 2012-2013 Teachers ofthe Year, read more than 140 blind nominationsand selected three finalists and awinner in each category. The names ofthe winners were kept confidential untilthey were announced at the event.Best Adapted ScoreRoy Henderson – Jones eLementaryOther Finalists: Amber Godwin, BeddingfieldHigh and Joan Bogart, DardenMiddleGiven to an employee who adapted anexisting idea that had a significant impactat the school or system levelBest MakeupAmber Inscoe – Fike HighBest Original SongTevis Harris - Jones eLementaryOther Finalists: Donna Thorne, FikeHigh and Jennifer Hornsby, Jones ElementaryGiven to an employee whose personaland professional life shines as an inspirationto othersBest Costume DesignsHerreia Smith – Jones eLementaryBest Actor in a SuPPorting RoleJoan Taylor – StantonsburgeLementaryOther Finalists: Patricia Williams, JonesElementary and Terre Gross, Rock RidgeElementaryGiven to a teacher assistant, counseloror assistant principal whose daily performancein his/her school is an essentialingredient in student successLifetime AchievementTeresa aLLen – Hunt High, PHysicaleducation teacher and coachBest PictureLucama eLementaryOther Finalists: Jones Elementary andRock Ridge ElementaryGiven to the “best” school based onmeasures of parent involvement, customerservice, academic performance,attendance, student discipline, workingconditions, professional development andcommunity involvementBest Visual EffectsMayola Best - Vick eLementaryOther Finalists: Janet Corn, Jones Elementaryand William Thompson, LucamaElementaryGiven to an employee with the overall“makeup” of AJ Rightway, who consistentlyand noticeably models respect,good judgment, responsibility, kindness,self-discipline, integrity, courage and perseveranceOther Finalists: Michael Stump, DardenMiddle and Blake Tucker, Fike HighGiven to an employee who willinglywears many hats and is identified by his/her unwavering commitment to communityservice demonstrated through activitiesinside and outside the school/schooldistrictFinalists were confidentialGiven to an employee whose careerachievements represent a significant andinfluential body of work notable for itsdepth and breadthBest Animated FeatureCynthia Hardy –Winstead eLementary“Define your success.Run the race of your life atyour speed and in your lane.”Sabrina Thompson, Speaker2013 Wilson County High School Academic ExcellenceCelebrationOther Finalists: Debbie Pittman, BeddingfieldHigh and Eddie Thompson, LucamaElementaryGiven to an employee in support services(clerical employee, data manager,custodian or maintenance departmentemployee) whose superior work sustainsan attractive school and efficient schoolenvironment inside and out that is appreciatedby students and staffBest Original ScoreJeremy Tucker – Hunt HighOther Finalists: Debra Simons, NewHope Elementary and Sharon High-Jones, Wells ElementaryGiven to an employee who demonstratesthe energy and enthusiasm to gothe extra mile and who is known for inexhaustiblecommitment to his/her jobBest Live Action FilmReba Hunter – New Hope eLementaryCongratulationsto theClass of 2013Other Finalists: Amber Dew, BeddingfieldHigh and Karen Bessey, DardenMiddleGiven to an employee who has developedand implemented an original ideathat had a significant impact at the schoolor system levelOther Finalists: James Cooper, BarnesElementary and Loretta Grier, Fike HighGiven to an employee from the transportationor child nutrition departmentwhose performance signifies an unrelentingdedication to the safety and efficiencyof his or her departmentOur community’s business-education link.