From a piece written by Cherry C., former Community School art teacher:
During the 1995-1996 school year, Jinny W-G, a favorite middle school teacher, and I thought up the idea of giving an award to a deserving local hero that had made major contributions to our area through the very means Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. Evelyn Bethel received this first award. She is a local African American identity and dignity in the Roanoke Valley. She was the prime mover of the Gainsboro Library. Community School supported her efforts. They also designed and created the first award that we gave out.
We didn't renew this award-giving, although Community School continued to recognize MLK Jr. Day through programs and activities until the school year of 2001-2002. Laurie Beck and I decided to make this award a major emphasis for our students. The award became completely student driven. They decided how to go after nominations, what qualities would be looked for in each nominee and a Friday Group was given the duty to design and create the award. Seminar was asked to write and give speeches for the Local Hero Program. An outside committee, consisting of students, a board representative, a parent representative, a faculty representative and a representative from the community was created to read all applications and choose the most deserving nominee.
We have now had this program each year since then. We feel this is very important and valuable for our students, parents and staff, as well as the community itself, especially as we value the ideas that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for as a school. Recognition by the students of these goals and honoring an individual who lives by these ideals sends a message to all of us.
Award Winners
1996- Evelyn Bethel
2002- Orrin Clifton
2003- Susan Chapman
2004- Mike Hudson
2005- Diane Elliot
2006- Pearl Fu
2007- Vivian Sanchez Jones
2008- Student Recipients, including Jameel McMillan, Datrea Muse and Seth Jordan
2009- Judi Jackson
2010- Betsy Bursey
2011- Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SWVA
2012- Angels of Assisi
2013- St. Francis Service Dogs
During the 1995-1996 school year, Jinny W-G, a favorite middle school teacher, and I thought up the idea of giving an award to a deserving local hero that had made major contributions to our area through the very means Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. Evelyn Bethel received this first award. She is a local African American identity and dignity in the Roanoke Valley. She was the prime mover of the Gainsboro Library. Community School supported her efforts. They also designed and created the first award that we gave out.
We didn't renew this award-giving, although Community School continued to recognize MLK Jr. Day through programs and activities until the school year of 2001-2002. Laurie Beck and I decided to make this award a major emphasis for our students. The award became completely student driven. They decided how to go after nominations, what qualities would be looked for in each nominee and a Friday Group was given the duty to design and create the award. Seminar was asked to write and give speeches for the Local Hero Program. An outside committee, consisting of students, a board representative, a parent representative, a faculty representative and a representative from the community was created to read all applications and choose the most deserving nominee.
We have now had this program each year since then. We feel this is very important and valuable for our students, parents and staff, as well as the community itself, especially as we value the ideas that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for as a school. Recognition by the students of these goals and honoring an individual who lives by these ideals sends a message to all of us.
Award Winners
1996- Evelyn Bethel
2002- Orrin Clifton
2003- Susan Chapman
2004- Mike Hudson
2005- Diane Elliot
2006- Pearl Fu
2007- Vivian Sanchez Jones
2008- Student Recipients, including Jameel McMillan, Datrea Muse and Seth Jordan
2009- Judi Jackson
2010- Betsy Bursey
2011- Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SWVA
2012- Angels of Assisi
2013- St. Francis Service Dogs