Shining Apple Awards

Published March 27, 2008

Williamson County Schools’ top volunteers will be honored during the twelfth annual Shining Apple Awards ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at the Martin Senior Center.  Honorees in each of five categories will be recognized for service to the students of Williamson County during the event sponsored by the Brentwood Family YMCA on behalf of the Williamson County YMCA Fun Company and the Williamson County Board of Education.

And this year’s program proves to be a bit different than in the past. “After receiving feedback from the principals, we decided each honoree would take home a crystal apple,” said Carol Birdsong, communications director. “In the past, all nominees received a plaque and then an apple award was given to one person or group in each category.”

Newschannel 5’s Steve Hayslip will once again serve as host for the event where he shares stories about each nominee’s contributions to the students and schools.

“I continue to be impressed by the great level of support we receive from all of our volunteers,” said Director of Schools Dr. Rebecca Sharber. “The Shining Apple reception provides us with a way to thank many of those who play such a major role in the success of our students.” 

Volunteers being honored in the Business and Industry category include Allstate, serving Ravenwood High; CoolSprings Galleria, serving all schools; Our Thrift Store serving Centennial High; Publix, serving all schools; and Sonic Drive Ins, serving all schools. 

Those being honored in the category of Civic Organizations include Brentwood Woman's Club, serving Woodland Middle; Franklin Auxiliary, serving Fairview Elementary; Franklin Morning Rotary, serving all schools; Second Harvest/First Baptist Church, Fairview, serving Fairview Elementary; and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College, serving all schools.

Community Volunteers to be honored are Alex Bonner, serving Kenrose; Phil Hollister, serving Chapman's Retreat; Chuck Mauro, serving Crockett; Joanna Roberts, serving Trinity; and Logan Smith, serving Fairview Middle.

Teachers as Volunteers nominees include Linda Brinkley, Fairview Middle; Wes Hobbs, Ravenwood; Mike Linn, Woodland; Amy Rankin, Kenrose; and Deborah Russell, Nolensville. 

Elementary school parents being honored for their service include Cheryl Burnside, Winstead; Madhuri Paranjape, Hunters Bend; Carrie Poag, Scales; Ann Rankin, Kenrose; and Renee Weinstein, Bethesda. 

Middle school parents being recognized include Kim Allison, Fairview; Karmine Quiggle, Grassland; Sherry Saunders, Hillsboro; Kellye Stuart, Woodland; and Diane Vazquez, Sunset. 

High school parents include Phyllis Bellenfant, Independence; Linda Koenn, Centennial; Logan Shillinglaw, Page; Michelle Wiggins, Independence; and Lori York, Ravenwood.

Review teams of School Board members, teachers and administrators selected the honorees after reviewing nominations submitted by the schools and central office.  Review team members include Pat Anderson, Alison Barrett, Liz Cleveland, Frank Comer, Renee Garriss, Cyndy Howse, Bob King, Jim Leckrone, Terry Leve, Ann Lewis, Janice Mills, Janine Moore, Jason Pearson, Ralph Ringstaff, Susan Samson, Chad Walker and Rick West.