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Lowndes County District Court Judge Adrian D. Johnson and Dr. James Mitchell, president of Wallace Community College Selma are special partners in education recognized by the Lowndes County Board of Education and the Lowndes County Education Association at the 10th Lowndes County Public Schools’ Recognition Gala held Tuesday night at Central High.

Also recognized at the Gala were the board’s award winners of the year in seven categories, including Student of the Year, Parent or Guardian of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Support Personnel of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Administrator of the Year and retired personnel.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Dale C. Braxton, pastor of Snow Hill Christian Church and a retired administrator from Lowndes County Public Schools.

He told those honored Tuesday,”You are special. We appreciate you for going beyond the call of duty to make Lowndes County the best.” He also compared them to the NBA’s Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics for their “hard work and dedication, even when the light is turned off.”

During the school year, the board recognized quarterly award winners in October, December, February and April. And each year at the Gala, one winner of the year is selected in each category.

Student of the Year honors went to Myaira Coleman of Central High.

According to Lowndes County School Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd, Coleman is “a calm spirit and thought of in high regards.” With a 4.15 average, she is also Valedictorian at Central High.

Other nominees were Tatianna Jackson of Calhoun High, Jadyn Wheeler of Fort Deposit Elementary and Jailyn Zinn of Hayneville Middle School.

Parent or Guardian of the Year went to Katanga Mants of Central High.

Boyd said, “she is a driven leader trying to improve the resources needed to strengthen student achievement.”

Other nominees were Ida Brown of Jackson-Steele Elementary, Rose Crabb of Central Elementary, and Gladys Johnson of Calhoun High.

Volunteer of the Year went to Cynthia Moorer of Jackson-Steele Elementary.

Boyd said Moorer “Is nurturing to the needs of the students. She volunteers her time tutoring and reading to students.”

Other nominees were Sherita White of Jackson-Steele Elementary, Lashanda Benion of Lowndes Middle School and Antoinette Gary of Hayneville Middle School.

Support Personnel of the Year went to Henry Saffold of Calhoun School.

Boyd said, “Mr. Saffold is a dedicated Tiger with a heart for the students… He is priceless and key to the school’s success.”

Other nominees were Natasha S. Hardy of Lowndes County Middle School, Margaret Howard of Central High and Lamont Bracy of Fort Deposit Elementary.

Teacher of the Year honors went to Sheron Reid of Fort Deposit Elementary.

Boyd said of Reid, “Students are actively engaged from the moment they enter her class until the moment they leave. She is the school’s ‘cheerleader.'”

Other nominees were Renae Shelby of Lowndes County Middle School, Ursula Goldsmith of Lowndes County Middle and Shamekia Seaborn of Central High.

Principal of the Year was a tie between Archie Curtis of Lowndes County Middle School and Keith Scissum of Hayneville Middle School.

Boyd said, “Mr. Curtis is a ‘Johnny on the sport’ administrator,” who quickly resolves issues. He said Scissum “is a conscientious and methodical leader who works to provide quality education services to the students.”

Other nominees were Bessie Morgan of Jackson-Steele Elementary and Tony Rudolph who serves four schools.

Administrator of the Year honors went to Stacy H. Williams of the Central Office.

Boyd said Williams has worked in numerous areas and made a positive impact in each area. “She leads quarterly performance index meetings which are key to improving teaching and learning across the district.”

Other nominees were Yvette R. Patterson of the Central Office, Harvey Means of the Central Office and Benitha D. Mathews of the Central Office.

Boyd recognized Johnson for working with County Commission Chairman Carnell McAlpine and other county commissioners to secure $25,000 for the school system’s Summer Bridge enrichment program and for working with the school system’s truancy program.

He recognized Mitchell helping to provide a welding instructor for students and for working with the school system on a dual enrollment program in which students get both high school and college credit.

Retirees recognized, their position at retirement and years of service included: Nellie Caldwell, custodian, Calhoun High, 10 years; Mary Davis, bus driver, 25 years; Frank Genard, bus driver, four years; Linda Hamilton, teacher, Central High, 10 years; Jim Hunter Jr., teacher, Calhoun High, 30 years; Audrey Jackson, head cook, Fort Deposit Elementary, 21 years; Aurelia Jones, lunchroom manager, Lowndes County Middle, 23 years; Christine McBride, teacher, Fort Deposit Elementary, 25 years; Rosie McMeans, lunchroom manager, Fort Deposit Elementary, 21 years; Thomas McReynolds Jr, teacher, Central Head Start, 24 years; Thaneal McWilliams, custodian, Central High, 24 years; Renae Shelby, teacher, Lowndes Middle, 26 years; and Patricia Sprott, teacher, Fort Deposit Head Start, 22 years.

Central High Golden Ambassadors, rising seniors, who assisted with the program included Roddeja Moorer, Orianna Gordon, Zykei Golden, Sade Wallace and Cyan Gordon.