Ed Foundation celebrates 25 years

Palm Coast Observer
News

Past and present Flagler County Education Foundation board members and supporters gathered Monday, June 8, at the Hammock Dunes Club to celebrate the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

“It a time to reflect and look at how far we’ve come,” said Executive Director Deborah Williams.

The night celebrated the past, with 12 of the 25 past presidents in attendance, but was really more of a look into the future.

“I think with (Flagler Schools Superintendent) Jacob Oliva we’re just on the brink of something really great with expanding the foundation support through flagship schools and Classroom to Careers,” Williams said.

In looking to the future, the foundation is expanding its fundraising campaign, Club 25, which is a membership for people to donate $500 over the course of a year, through a donation plan.

“Schools that do classroom to careers and the flagship program, they need funds to do that,” Williams said. “And we also want to grow our Take Stock Program.”

Another look at the future included adding several new board members from several different backgrounds. The 2015-16 board members are President Gary Lubi, President Elect Matthew Maxwell, Vice President Michael Beadle, Treasurer David Alfin, Secretary Dorothy Sperber, and Directors Katrina Austin, Jim Bowe, Carla Cline, Catherine Evans, Joseph Marotti, Melinda McNab, Joeseph Rizzo, Meedith Rodriguez, Raven Sword, Dave Taylor and Cheryl Tanenbaum.

At the event, the foundation also recognized two individuals with the Golden Apple Awards. Abbey Cooke, sixth-grade teacher at Belle Terre Elementary School, was recognized for her participation in the Josh Crews Writing Project, which she has been part of since its inception, three years ago. This year, Cooke agreed to take on coordinating the before- and after-school clubs that produce an anthology of student writings.

Trevor Tucker was the second Golden Apple Award recipient. Tucker has been a School Board member since 2010 and was a member of the Ed Foundation long before that. Tucker was recognized for being one of the most loyal and generous supporters of the foundation, raising funds through the annual FCEF Golf Classic, volunteering his time and sponsoring events. Tucker also gives more than any other employee in the district through the district employee payroll deduction plan, One4theKids.

PAST
PRESIDENTS

2014-2015
Victoria Tiehen
2013-2014
Joseph Rizzo
2012-2013
Jay Gardner
2011-2012
Robert Cuff, PA
2009-2010
Larry Henderson
2008-2009
Allen Whetsell
2007-2008
Godwin Kelly
2006-2007
Patrick Kelly
2005-2006
Dr. Jean Hunter
2004-2005
Jodie Bevel
2003-2004
Ruth Livingston
2002-2003
Joseph Jennings
2001-2002
Sherry Keyes
2000-2001
Howard Elliott
1999-2000
Jack Kelly
1998-1999
Arnold Levy
1997-1998
Howard Turner
1996-1997
Peter Cerreta
1995-1996
Mary Ann Clark
1994-1995
Dr. Jim Guines
1993-1994
Ruth Osterhage
1992-1993
Oradell Trayer
1991-1992
R. Myers & D. Quello
1990-1991
Georgia Canakaris