Reading is widely known as a foundational skill for student success, which is why it's being highlighted at the 2016 Jefferson City Public School Foundation Gala.
"Reading: A keystone to a lifetime of exploration" is this year's gala theme and is also tied to the district's strategic plan to raise academic achievement.
The money raised by the event will support literacy grants for students who need extra resources but also for students who need to be challenged above their grade reading level, said Karen Enloe, executive director of the foundation.
Last year, they satisfied 20 grants submitted by schools that ranged from $500 to $5,000, she said, and they anticipate raising $30,000 to $35,000 at the gala this year.
Each year has a different theme, and the grant money has been used to purchase graphing calculators students could check out from the library, telescopes, math manipulatives and literacy materials. Schools have been able to request a range of resources with the grants, but literacy resources have typically held more weight with the committee that selects the grants, she said.
"If there's an area of discipline that typically receives more grants, it's reading," Enloe said. "Reading is the basis of all learning. We'll take a look at literacy grants more than others."
The gala will be a mix of entertainment and honoring those being inducted into the hall of leaders.
Those interested can purchase an individual ticket for $40, a table of four for $350, a table of eight for $700 or become an event sponsor for $1,000. Tickets can also be donated to district staff, Enloe said.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, with a reception at the Capitol Plaza Hotel; the dinner and program is set to begin at 6:15 p.m.
The honorees are:
Distinguished Alumni - Carrie Tergin: Tergin is a third generation small-business owner and mayor of Jefferson City. She is active in her involvement with the Missouri State University Board of Governors, and she is a Rotarian, church member and past president of the Downtown Association. She is a recipient of the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, a Lincoln University Trailblazer, a Top 40 under 40 honoree and received a Missouri Award for Outstanding Leadership in Tobacco Control.
Foundation Donor - George and Gayleen Ousley: The Ousleys family hosts "Santa Day" each year at the Southwest Early Childhood Center and also sponsors the "Ousley Night-on-the-Town," which provides a night out for staff each year. The Ousley Family Veterans Service Center brings together George's love for servicemen and his appreciation for the school that led to his success. He is a Vietnam veteran and served in the Navy and was a part owner of a multi-division firm called OutSource Group. Gayleen worked at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics and began the OutSource Group.
Foundation Donor - Jefferson Bank: Jefferson Bank has been in the community 49 years and has persisted with a commitment to charitable giving. The community focus has been a priority along with the "cutting edge" products and "exemplary" costumer service. It has a team of 100 employees who serve as volunteers for more than 60 local organizations.
Outstanding Educator - Glenna Honich: Honich began her teaching career in 1986 at the Cole County Juvenile Attention Center. She took her first full-time teaching position as a fourth-grade teacher, which is where she remained for 28 years. She served on the board of the Jay Pride Alive alumni association and has a son attending Jefferson City High School as a freshman.
Outstanding Educator - Anne Hutton: Hutton had a 20-year teaching career at JCPS where she taught math, science, biology, anatomy and physiology between her time at the high school and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. She also taught at Montgomery County R-2 and Lincoln University. She's received numerous awards including the "Mike Kehoe Gearing Up for Education Award," "You Made a Difference Award" and the "Railton Outstanding Educator Award." She became a volunteer naturalist at the Runge Conservation Nature Center in 2011 and received the Volunteer Naturalist of the Year in 2013.
Outstanding Educator - Susie Jones: Jones taught at Hannibal and Columbia before teaching at JCPS for 27 years, mostly at West Elementary School. She became legendary for her performance as Mrs. Santa Claus at West. For more than 20 years, she appeared as Mrs. Claus, reading books, telling stories, and even the occasional puppetry at private and public schools throughout the area as well as the Governor's Mansion. She has volunteered with "Art in a Suitcase" teaching fourth-graders about Pablo Picasso and introducing them to cubism. She also volunteered in the gallery of the Miller Center for the Performing Arts.
Outstanding Volunteer - Michelle Horn: Horn spent several years teaching first grade in the Eldon School District and worked as a parent educator with the Parents as Teachers program. She volunteered with the Cedar Hill and Lawson PTA as well as several positions on the citywide PTA/PTO board, where she served as president. She chaired project graduation during her son's senior year and was on the Academy Planning Committee for several years. She is currently serving as the registrar at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School and as the assistant dance coach for JCHS Fusion.