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Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

television.
School Superintendent Dianne Lane presented Debbie Odom, Columbia County Teacher of

the Year, and Frankie Williams, Non-Instructional Employee of the Year. Debbie’s inspirational
speech deeply touched the audience who gave her a rousing standing ovation. Frankie delivered a

jewel of a speech in which she told of the high honor of being selected from so many outstanding
employees.
Six teachers then came forward and told of their personal success with their mini grant projects.

Henrietta Kirkland, Five Points; Keith Hatcher, CHS; Mary Shafer, CHS; June Woodbridge,
Kindergarten; Barbara Cheesman, Gifted; and Ambi Powers, Eastside; all told how their self­

inspired projects had made things better for their students.
Kindergarten principal, Dr. Marty Cox, and Fort White principal, Bob Simmons, told of the

positive impact of minigrants on their schools and thanked the business community for their
steadfast support of all our schools.

Lt. Col. Pat Pickett (LJ. S. Air Force Retired), chairman of the Minigrant Selection Committee,
gave a brief summary of the Foundation’s mini grant program and described his experiences watching

teachers do a lot with a little money as “one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences of my
life.”

Dr. Foreman then thanked all who have contributed so generously to the Foundation. Special
thanks went to major sponsors: Aero Corporation, Mark Owens, president and CEO; Barnett Bank,
Joe Williams, president; Lake Shore Hospital, Linda McKnew, chief administrator; OxyChem,

Vernon Lloyd, vice president of manufacturing and technology and Anderson Columbia Company,
Ted McRae, president.

Special thanks also went to Anderson Columbia for their donation of a $50,000 track and field
facility to the new CHS stadium.
Tara Williams, a CHS student and leading lady of the “Hello Dolly” smash hit, concluded the

evening’s festivities with her stirring rendition of “My Hero,” and dedicated it to all who have made
the Foundation a success.

Dr. Foreman characterized the banquet “a total success and a great kickoff to another
successful year.”
The Foundation funds local teachers’ creative projects, grades K-12. You can help by making

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