The Oriole Advocates recognized 11 community members Thursday during the annual Big Bird Awards and Ice Cream Social.

The Big Bird Awards celebrate teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and others who make outstanding efforts to support the Avon Community School Corporation. Nominations are made by any members of the Avon community. Nominees are champions for Avon students and teachers.

The 2017 nominees were:

• Sarah Arnold, kindergarten teacher, River Birch
• Holly Clark, volunteer with Mary Lee Maier Food Pantry, an ACSC project
• Madeline Garcia, senior student, Avon High School
• Jarrod Gatlin, assistant principal, White Oak and Maple
• Stephanie Hulett, Life Skills teacher, Cedar Elementary
• Kayla Kuepper, teacher, White Oak
• Kasey Lamb, parent and Pine Tree PTO president
• Rhonda Lynch, bus driver
• Kristin Pappas, second grade, River Birch
• Angela Rasor, curriculum coordinator, ACSC
• Jackie Robertson, treasurer, River Birch

Holly Clark and Angela Rasor were honored as the 2017 Big Bird Award Winners.

Holly was nominated for her critical work with the formation of the Mary Lee Maier Food Pantry, which benefits all families with students in Avon School Corporation. A person who nominated her said, “Holly is ALWAYS there — the entire time — in addition to being a full-time teacher and having her own family. Families come to know her gentle, inviting demeanor and her kind heart, and they can count on her to be there every week. She also has been known to deliver food to families in need, and constantly has new ideas to help those in need. She is relentless in her pursuit of helping families of Avon School students have a source for food.”

Angela serves as the school corporation’s curriculum coordinator. Her nomination said, “Angela’s role in our school district in daunting. She leads with grace and dignity in the face of some very challenging situations. Her leadership in the Six Standards of Effective Pedagogy along with the personal and professional development opportunities she provides for so many is the reason she is so deserving of this recognition. Without Angela our vision would not be realized — she is one in a million!”

Congratulations to all of our nominees and award-winners. The students of Avon Community School Corporation reap the benefits of your efforts!

The Oriole Advocates will hold their next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Avon Communication School Corporation Administration Building. The meeting will feature a panel of the teachers recognized as the 2017 Teachers of the Year for ACSC speaking on the challenges and rewards of working for our schools. Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.