By Dana Hudspeth, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Time and effort parents and volunteers spend to help make the Chickasaw Nation Head Start program a success was recognized at the Head Start Parent Appreciation Dinner Thursday, May 7 at the Murray County Expo Center in Sulphur.
“The goal of tonight is to recognize the parents and caregivers for their dedication and efforts. The foundation of our program is built upon these families. We want them to feel inspired and appreciated,” said Danny Wells, Chickasaw Nation Head Start director.
Following the meal, plaques and pins were presented to several Head Start parents and volunteers for serving as policy council representatives, committee members and officers, top classroom and center volunteers, foster grandparents and reading volunteers.
Rachel Wood, Tishomingo, was named Community Volunteer of the Year. She volunteered 320 hours during the school year at Head Start activities. Ashley Sanderson, Ardmore, was named Parent Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Sanderson spent 200 volunteer hours at Head Start events and activities.
The Mary E. Parker Memorial Library in Sulphur was recognized as the Top Center Community Volunteer and the Madill Center received the “Most Volunteer Readers” award.
Sulphur Center received the “Most Books Read at Home and at the Center” award for reading 174 books and the Ardmore Classroom received the plaque “Most Books Read in the Classroom and at Home” award with 126 books read.
The Ada center honored Michele Davis as Top Center Volunteer and Top Volunteer in classroom three. Kurenda Ludlow was honored as top classroom volunteer classroom one, Rachel Storkel, classroom two, Michele Davis, classroom three, and the family of Head Start student Jalen Fraizer was named top volunteers in classroom four.
For more information about the Chickasaw Nation Head Start program, contact Danny Wells, Head Start director, at (580) 436-7276, an area Head Start Center, located in Ada, Ardmore, Duncan, Madill, Sulphur and Tishomingo, or visit http://www.chickasaw.net/.
