FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM—The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will recognize Shelby County’s leading students and educators for the 2015-2016 school year at its third annual Student and Educator of the Year Luncheon April 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Each school in Shelby County was invited to submit a college and career ready Student of the Year to represent their school. All nominees were evaluated on the following criteria: GPA, extra-curricular activities and awards, a written essay on their proposed occupation or course of study and a letter of recommendation.

The Educator of the Year candidates were nominated in two categories—elementary and secondary—by their school principals. The candidates were evaluated on their philosophy of teaching, community involvement and recommendations from colleagues and school administrators.

All of the nominees will be recognized during the luncheon program.

“Given that our 1,000 plus investor organizations are the future employers of these students, we think it’s an important step to recognize the excellence that is taking place throughout our Shelby County classrooms at both the student and educator level,” said Chamber President and CEO Kirk Mancer.

The April 27 program will conclude with four recipients: College Ready Student of the Year, Career Ready Student of the Year, Elementary Educator of the Year and Secondary Educator of the Year.

The two student recipients will each receive a $1,000 cash award, and the two educator recipients will receive a $750 cash award.

“The two student recipients will receive these funds to continue their education and career development, and the two teachers will receive their awards for use in their classrooms,” said Kelly Anderson, the Chamber’s manager of workforce development.

The 2015-2016 nominees are listed below in alphabetical order by last name in each category:

College Ready Student of the Year Nominees:

• Julia Buckner of Oak Mountain High School
• Christian Fauer of Chelsea High School
• Tamera Fletcher of Montevallo High School
• Marjorie Head of Shelby County High School
• Jordan Ingram of Helena High School
• Jordan Mooney of Calera High School
• Ashley Pope of Thompson School
• Emma Smith of Shelby County College and Career Center
• Emily Stewart of Kingwood Christian School
• Peyton Strickland of Pelham High School
• Davis Whitfield of Vincent High School

Career Ready Student of the Year Nominees:

• Nolen Burke of Thompson High School
• Christopher Davis of Shelby County College and Career Center
• Jacqueline Grado of Pelham High School
• Emily Hill of Calera High School
• Cecil David Lawley of Montevallo High School
• Collin Neitfield of Oak Mountain High School
• Kris Phillips of Vincent High School
• Kaylee Toles of Kingwood Christian School
• Franklin Razo of Chelsea High School
• Abigail Stith of Helena High School

Elementary Educator Nominees:

• Martha Bentley of Elvin Hill Elementary School
• Vickie Birdsong of Forest Oaks Elementary School
• Marlee Clifton of Vincent Elementary School
• Michelle Dunning of Oak Mountain Intermediate School
• Cammie Eanes of Oak Mountain Elementary School
• Kristal Lawrence of Shelby Elementary School
• Melissa McMurray of Meadow View Elementary School
• Amanda Miller of Helena Intermediate School
• Shannon Moseley of Helena Elementary School
• Allison Nylen of Wilsonville Elementary School
• Diane Prince of Kingwood Christian School
• Whitney Pruitt of Valley Elementary School
• Joan Ray of Inverness Elementary School
• Sidney Saindon of Valley Intermediate School
• Katie Thompson of Mt Laurel Elementary School
• Ashley Vann of Thompson Intermediate School
• Christina Walsh of Creek View Elementary School
• Tanya Wilson of Calera Intermediate School

Secondary Educator Nominees:

• Becky Bagby of Columbiana Middle School
• Nick Baumbaugh of Chelsea High School
• Kathleen Brotherton of Riverchase Middle School
• Dawn Cabrera of Montevallo High School
• Marcy Campbell of Shelby County College and Career Center
• Dustin Cleckler of Shelby County High School
• Brooke Dennis of Thompson High School
• Andrea Fordham of Thompson Middle School
• Brooke Gifford of Vincent Middle School
• Ashley Grainger of Chelsea Middle School
• Lucie Harding of Kingwood Christian School
• Heather Holmes of Oak Mountain Middle School
• Alice LaGrone of Oak Mountain High School
• Anita Lewis of Helena High School
• Evelyn Moore of Montevallo Middle School
• Jenifer Nabors of Calera Middle School
• Elise Skellie of Thompson Sixth Grade Center
• Karen Varner of Pelham High School
• Tammy Wilburn of Linda Nolen Learning Center
• Sharon Worthy of Helena Middle School
• Michael Zauchin of Oak Mountain High School