The Sumter County Board of Education and Superintendent Dennis McMahon have planned and invited all employees of Sumter County Schools to Celebrate Education in Sumter County. This first-time event will be held on at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.

Before the light meal of hot dogs, chips and all of the accompanying condiments, there will be a recognition program of top representatives from each school department. The top associate of the year from school nutrition, transportation, grounds, and custodial services have been selected by committees and the program director.

Additionally, all retiring teachers will be recognized. Those scheduled to retire are Carol Cochran, Elizabeth Cochran, Daniel Sally Jean, Edgar A. Eschmann, Jimmy Green, Carol Hargrove, Sandra Mitchell, Martha Ridgeway, Connie Saunders, Thelma Solomon, Carl Willis, Virginia Wilson and Janice Woodham.

The Teachers of the Year from each Sumter County School will be presented. These representatives will use the summer vacation to complete their application for two-stage judging and selection as Sumter County Teacher of the Year. This celebration will be in the fall of 2009. Those nominated are from Sarah Cobb, Monisha Volley; Cherokee Elementary, Sandra Perry; Sumter County Middle School, Ernestine Carter; Sumter County Elementary, Kizzi Walker; Sumter County Primary, Myrtice Volley; Americus-Sumter County High South Campus, Yvonda Goines; Staley Middle, Alnita Dowdell and Americus-Sumter Freshman Academy, Adrienne Harris.

Each school submitted names for top clerical associate from their school. Winners were selected by a team of judges. From Sumter County Middle School, Pam Dominick; Sumter County Elementary, Judy Wagenblast; Cherokee Elementary, Sabrina Clyde; Sumter County Primary, Shawnda Moore; Sarah Cobb Elementary, Karen Woodard; Staley Middle, Beverly Jones; Americus-Sumter Freshman Academy, Katrina Fuller, and from Americus-Sumter High South Campus, Otista Streeter.

Paraprofessionals were nominated from each Sumter County School and final selection of top associate was done by a team of judges. Nominated from each school were Sumter County Middle, Kipp Harris; Sumter County Elementary, Reatha Thomas; Cherokee Elementary, Nancy Usry; Sumter County Primary, Angela Meadows; Sarah Cobb Elementary, Betty Harvey; Staley Middle School, Latisha Monroe; Americus High Freshman Academy, Gloria Sales, and Americus-Sumter High South Campus, Mary Holloway.

The top associates in each department will be rewarded with a financial gift and a plaque to designate their honors and service to Sumter County Schools.