Georgia PTA District 13 Spring Conference & Awards Ceremony

WOODSTOCK, Ga., (April 20, 2022)—The Georgia PTA District 13 Spring Conference & Awards Ceremony took place at Venue 92 in Woodstock on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, featuring the River Ridge High School A Cappella Chorus, River Ridge High School Jazz Band. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Debra Murdock. Guest Speakers were Dawn Stastny, Georgia State PTA President and Carol Rice, Former Georgia State PTA President.

Georgia PTA District 13 was honored to host the Annual Spring Conference & Awards Ceremony this past week to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of our local PTA leaders. In attendance was Dawn Stastny, Georgia State PTA President; Anita Hagin-Jones, 1st Vice President Georgia State PTA; Leslie Cushman, Former Georgia State PTA President; Donna Kosicki, Former Georgia State PTA President and Carol Rice, Former Georgia State PTA President. From the Cherokee County School Board in attendance were Kyla Cromer, Dr. Debra Murdock, and Kelly Poole.

The following students were awarded educational scholarships, furthering the mission of the National PTA in support of public education and student success:

- Brantley Bolzenius Age 8 | Grade 3 | Clark Creek STEM Academy

- Leila Gonzalez Age 6 | Kindergarten | Little River ES

- Kellen Portman Age 13 | 7th Grade | Mill Creek MS

- Zoe Belisle Age 18 | 12 Grade | Sequoyah HS

- Tressie Polk Age 17 | 12th Grade | River Ridge HS

Local units were honored with Early Bird, Pacesetters and Visionary Awards for reaching membership goals. Awards were given for collaborating with community partners. Help me congratulate the following local PTA units for their accomplishments:

Early Bird: Awarded to local PTA units for accomplishing over 200 PTA members prior to the last day in September 2021.

- Arnold Mill ES PTA

- Avery ES PTA

- Bascomb ES PTA

- Clark Creek ES STEM PTA

- Creekland MS PTSA

- Dean Rusk MS PTSA

- Freedom MS PTSA

- Hasty ES PTA

- Hickory Flat ES PTA

- Holly Springs ES PTA

- Indian Knoll ES PTA

- Kleven Boston ES PTA

- Joseph Knox STEM Academy PTA

- Liberty ES PTA

- Little River ES PTA

- Macedonia ES PTA

- Mill Creek MS PTSA

- Mountain Road MS PTSA

- R M Moore ES PTA

- River Ridge HS PTSA

- Sixes ES PTA

- Woodstock ES PTA

- Woodstock HS PTSA

- Woodstock MS PTSA

Pace Setters: Awarded to local PTA units for accomplishing over 300 PTA member prior to the last day of August 2021.

• Avery ES PTA
• Clark Creek ES STEM PTA
• Creekland MS PTSA
• Dean Rusk MS PTSA
• Freedom MS PTSA
• Hickory Flat ES PTA
• Holly Springs ES PTA
• Indian Knoll ES PTA
• Joseph Knox STEM Academy PTA
• Liberty ES PTA
• Little River ES PTA
• Macedonia ES PTA
• Mill Creek MS PTSA
• River Ridge HS PTSA
• Sixes ES PTA
• Woodstock ES PTA
• Woodstock HS PTSA

Visionary: Awarded to local PTA units for accomplishing over 400 PTA member prior to the last day of August 2021.

• Avery ES PTA
• Clark Creek ES STEM PTA
• Dean Rusk MS PTSA
• Hickory Flat ES PTA
• Indian Knoll ES PTA
• Joseph Knox STEM Academy PTA
• Liberty ES PTA
• Little River ES PTA
• Mill Creek MS PTSA
• Woodstock ES PTA

Community Partners: Awarded for acquiring over 30 Community Partners prior to the last day of October 2021.

• Clark Creek ES STEM PTA
• Liberty ES PTA
• Little River ES PTA

Oaktree: In recognition of the value of school staff as stakeholders in advocating for all through 100% PTA membership of school staff.

• Clark Creek ES STEM PTA
• Free Home ES PTA
• Kleven Boston ES PTA
• Little River ES PTA
• Oak Grove ES PTA
• River Ridge HS PTSA

The following educators were honored with the Birney Butler Outstanding Educator award for their exemplary contributions to instructing students within District 13. Please help us congratulate these exceptional educators.

Birney Butler Outstanding Educator: In recognition of professional excellence and commitment to the mission and purposes of Georgia PTA District 13.

• First Place: Elementary School, less than 750 students, from Kleven Boston Elementary - Michelle Chee-How
• First Place: Elementary School, more than 750 students, from Clark Creek ES STEM Academy - Hetal Pandya
• Second Place: Middle School, from Mill Creek Middle - Brooke Dillon
• First Place: Middle School, from Mill Creek Middle - Heather Pappas
• Second Place: High School, from River Ridge High - Nicholas Morrow
• First Place: High School, from River Ridge High - Melissa Pierce

The Outstanding Nurse Award: Presented by Former Georgia State PTA President, Carol Rice. Carol Rice was instrumental in advocating for school nurses in the late 1980’s. Prior to Ms. Rice’s presidency, Cherokee County did not have school nurses. Cherokee County owes her a huge debt of gratitude for her advocacy work. It was a pleasure to honor the following District 13 Nurses for going above and beyond.

• Elementary School, more than 750 students, from Daves Creek Elementary in Forsyth County-Amanda Hughes
• Elementary School, more than 750 students, from Hickory Flat Elementary-Jenny Juneghani
• Middle School, from Mill Creek Middle-Ayn McLaurin

Visionary Award: In recognition of their dedicated service to the students and their continued collaboration between Mill Creek Middle School and the community, Georgia PTA District 13 was honored to bestow this award to Mill Creek Middle School Physical Education Department:

• Jim Elder
• Eliot Galyean
• Jana Redman
• Donna Ross

The Outstanding Principal Award: PTA is pleased to work with so many exemplary Principals and Vice Principals. The following Principals/Vice-Principals were honored for their outstanding contributions:

- Elementary School, less than 750 students, from Kleven Boston Elementary -Valerie Lowery

- Elementary School, more than 750 students, from Clark Creek ES STEM Academy - Laura Casey

- Elementary School, more than 750 students, from Daves Creek Elementary in Forsyth County - Eric Ashton

- Middle School, from Mill Creek Middle- Matthew May

- High School, from River Ridge High -Stephanie Barber

Model PTA: Awarded to local PTA units for maintaining exceptionally ambitious standards while achieving the goals and mission of National PTA.

• Kleven Boston ES PTA
• Clark Creek ES STEM PTA
• Joseph Knox STEM Academy PTA
• Little River ES PTA
• R M Moore ES PTA
• Mill Creek MS PTSA
• River Ridge HS PTSA
• Woodstock HS PTSA

Hearst Family–School Partnerships: In recognition of PTA’s commitment to effectively demonstrating the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships in the school and community to work together to support student success.

• Little River ES PTA
• Mill Creek MS PTSA
• River Ridge HS PTSA

District 13 Director Awards:

• Phoenix Award - Cherokee HS PTSA
• Collaboration with School & Community - Etowah HS PTSA
• Outstanding Virtual Teacher Support - Ball Ground ES PTA
• Courage After Fire Award - Teasley ES PTA
• Membership Growth Awards
  • Beyond Platinum Growth – 514% membership growth - Daves Creek ES PTA, Forsyth County
  • Hall of Fame – 157% membership growth - Arnold Mill ES PTA
  • Shooting Star – 142 % membership growth - Hasty ES PTA
• Arts in Focus
  • Bascomb ES PTA - Ms. Hipps
  • Creekview HS PTSA - Ms. Wallace

Outstanding Local Unit: In recognition of the outstanding commitment and support to the vision, mission, and values of Georgia PTA District 13.

- Elementary School, more than 750 students:

Honorable Mention – R M Moore ES PTA

Third Place – Joseph Knox STEM Academy PTA

Second Place – Little River ES PTA

First Place – Clark Creek ES STEM Academy PTA

- Middle School

First Place – Mill Creek MS PTSA

- High School

Second Place – Woodstock HS PTSA

First Place – River Ridge HS PTSA

The Georgia PTA District 13 would like to thank all the local businesses who showed their support for the local PTA leaders, local schools, families, teachers, and staff.

$1,000 Outstanding Service

ChrisAlly Events - Nelson Himiob

$500 Advocate

Alma Coffee - Harry Hutchins

Culver's of Woodstock - William Lewis

My Ideal College - Laurie Genevish

Prologics - Jennifer Roeder

Spoiled Rotten - Patricia Mesi & Christine Mamon

UPS - Robert Mitchell

$250 Empowered

Cherrydale Fundraising - Melissa Douthit

Chick-Fil-A - Anna Kozloff

LGE Community Credit Union - Ashley Harwell

$100 Inclusive

Alanna Blake-Lawlor, Realtor

Fun Services - Bryan Nash

Kona Ice - Terri Miramonti

Lori Betts Ltd - Lori Betts

MesmerEyes - Tim Cahill

Nine88 Events - Christa Skinnell

Special thanks to River Ridge ROTC for all the tremendous work they did. Without the ROTC, this event could not have run so smoothly! The RRHS ROTC assisted in setting up tables, chairs, decorations, assisted with directing traffic, presented the colors, blessed the food, served dinner to all honorees, and then assisted in cleaning up at the end of the evening. It is not an exaggeration to say that Georgia PTA District 13 could not have delivered such a fabulous event without them! A special thank you to Marlon Ayers for his leadership.

The event was catered by Chef Wilbert Holmes of Southern Soul Catering. He served a delectable creamed chicken, jasmine rice and roasted green beans. The official photographer for the evening was Spoiled Rotten Photography. Thanks to Christine Mamon and Patricia Mesi for being everywhere all at the same time. ChrisAlly Events provided the tables, chairs, and linen. LGE Credit Union provided the water and Alma Coffee provided the coffee for the event.

About Georgia PTA

Georgia PTA comprises thousands of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. Georgia PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and are effective for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit georgiapta.org.

Promotional video/photos (Source: Spoiled Rotten Photography and attendees)