Announcements
Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport Receives 2008 Efficiency Award
The JA of Gulfport received the Efficiency Award at the recent 68th Annual Area Education Conference held in Fanklin, TN.
This year’s conference was packed with entertainment, education and networking with other chapters from across the Mid-South. Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport members enjoyed speakers including Anita Renfroe- known for her “mom-isms”, Grace Gore- Miss Tennessee 2007, Lauren Nelson- Miss America 2007 and LaDonna Gatlin – whose messages empower people to realize their potential through their words, their deeds and their actions. In addition, up and coming Board Members of our Chapter were trained in their specific duties for the next year.
The NAJA slogan is “Care Today – Character Tomorrow” and when teamed with the current focus of the Association (Healthy Children~Healthy Futures), Junior Auxiliary Chapters all over the Mid-South are working more than ever before to increase awareness of children in need and the benefits of caring today to create character tomorrow.
Spring Luncheon and Installation of New Officers
The Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport held its annual spring luncheon on April 7, 2009 at the Great Southern Club in Gulfport. The executive board for 2009-10 was installed, provisional members were initiated and nine outgoing members changed their memberships to life and associate status. Junior Auxiliary members are eligible for life and associate status after one year of provisional service, five years of active service and after meeting all chapter educational requirements.
New officers are Kristen Van Kirk-Gard, president; Macey Young, first vice president; Sarah Rollins, second vice president; Joy Payne-Morris, third vice president; Donna Smith, treasurer; Allison Alexander, provisional trainer; Aisa Templeton, recording secretary; Pam Pannell, corresponding secretary; Brooke Preus, education chairman; Karla Hennagin, public relations chairman; Elizabeth “Sugar” McCormick, parliamentarian.
New members are Ginger Crosby, Brandy Dyess, Ann Edwards, Kim Furman, Lacey Hairston, Melissa Harwell, Natalie Kaigler, Renee Lawson, Amanda Letonoff, Kelli McGuffee, Jessica Merrill, Stacey Necaise, Emily Newman, Sophie Nord, Laurie Pitre, Jessica Pittman, Aimee Robertson, Heather Rusher, Michele Shoemaker, Sally Dane Sperry, Megan Gray Stolarski and Kami Wert.
The outgoing members are: Mary Alexander, Marsha Barlow, Angela Bruni, Carla Drummond, Jenny Ellzey, Kathi Nelms, Marcie Ormes, Georgia Salloum and Vicki Saucier.
The Gulfport chapter of the Junior Auxiliary was organized May 26, 1948, and currently has 64 active members. It is a volunteer organization that provides charitable services to benefit the general public, with particular emphasis on children.
Working closely with local agencies and schools the Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport provides children with education and information on life skills, dental hygiene, clothing and medical assistance as well as scholarship opportunities.
College Bound Scholarships Awarded
The Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport recently awarded at total of $8,000 in scholarships to twelve local High School Seniors. The Junior Auxiliary’s annual College Bound Scholarship program recognizes students with superior academic achievement and financial need. The students must also exhibit leadership potential through personal references, school or extracurricular activities, work experience, volunteer work or community involvement. This year’s recipients were Kasey Bolton and Rena Tillinghast, Harrison Central High School; Robin Juneau, Pass Christian High School; Hillary Goodfellow, St. Patrick’s High School; Jennifer Nassar and Patrick Tyler Worth, Long Beach High School; and Jose Valdez, Megan Newman, Shavon Banks, Tiffany Flowers, Anjelica May and Mary Catherine Webber, Gulfport High School. The Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport was founded 60 years ago and supports local children at all age levels on their journey to a brighter future.
Hannah Hatfield Scholarships are awarded for Outstanding Educators in the Gulfport School District
At the Gulfport School District Board Meeting on July 13, the Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport awarded the Hannah H. Hatfield Outstanding Educator Awards to four Gulfport School District teachers. Each teacher received a plaque and a $1,500 award for his or her outstanding efforts in the classroom. Honorees were Larry Hart – Gulfport High; Beth Skrmetta – Anniston Avenue Elementary; Cindy Langenbacker – Bayou View Elementary and Pam Phillips – Central Elementary. This program was established by the Medley and Hatfield families to honor their mother, Hannah Hatfield, as well as the many Gulfport School District teachers who play a positive role in the daily lives of thousands of children. Presenting the awards was Pam Pannell, active member of the Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport, and current co-chair of the Hannah Hatfield committee which was formed to administer the annual awards.