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CCSD Special Education Students, Teachers Celebrated by Optimists

CCSD Special Education Students, Teachers Celebrated by Optimists

The Holly Springs Optimist Club today honored eight CCSD students, along with an outstanding teacher and a paraprofessional at its annual High School Awards breakfast, which recognizes outstanding special needs students and their supportive teachers and staff. 

young man with headphones on speaks into a microphone held by a woman

Jack Brewer, student at Transition Academy, happily accepts his award from his teacher Megan Vogel as Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis looks on.

 The 2025 honorees are:

  • Cherokee HS: Leah Weatherby, Presented by LoriAnn Johnson
  • Creekview HS: Billy Zambrano, Presented by Bryan Linder
  • Etowah HS: Israel Delgado-Mayo, Presented by Deanna Sareen
  • River Ridge HS: Parker Fick, Presented by Jessica Camp
  • Sequoyah HS: Tylor Armstrong, Presented by Melissa Echt
  • Tippens Education Center: Jason Henderson, Presented by Jordan Hofmeister
  • Transition Academy: Jack Brewer, Presented by Megan Vogel
  • Woodstock HS: Ethan Simmons, Presented by Kathleen Eder
collage of 8 photos of students receiving awards and posing with a trophy

The teacher award for Outstanding Achievement in Education went to Jordan Hofmeister from Tippens Education Center; and the Paraprofessional of the Year award went to Jess Cardenas of Etowah HS.  Amber Davis, intellectual disability curriculum specialist in the CCSD Special Education Department, served as emcee for the event.

male teacher posing with plaque with two other adults

Jordan Hofmeister from Tippens Education Center was honored by the Optimist Club for outstanding achievement.

woman posing with plaque with two other adults

Jess Cardenas of Etowah HS was honored by the Optimist Club as parapro of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis welcomed the families, teachers and students to the awards breakfast.

"To our students, you are the ones who have been selected to be recognized for what it means to be good and kind and smart and impactful and we are so honored to be here with your families and with you today,” said Dr. Davis.

Students received trophies and posed for photos after a Chick-fil-a breakfast; the staff awards included plaques and a potted plant, along with balloon bouquets for each student and staff winner. School Board Chair Janet Read Welch attended the event, along with senior staff from the Academics & Accountability division and its Special Education department. Members of the Optimist Club closed out the program reciting the Optimist Creed. 

woman stops at a table and speaks to a student who introduces his family

Etowah High School honoree Israel Delgado-Mayo introduces his family to Superintendent Davis.