SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE holds annual breakfast for scholar donors

The Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence hosted a brunch on December 6, 2017 at the Taylor Public School District Culinary Restaurant “The Chopping Block”.

The purpose of the brunch was to recognize and show appreciation to the donors of the 29 scholarships that were awarded during the 2016-2017 school year to graduating seniors of John F. Kennedy and Harry S. Truman High Schools.

Ken Nelson, Chairman of the Foundation Scholarship Committee, gave a presentation referencing that gratitude should be expressed, and success should be celebrated. He shared his secret for cultural survival and personal happiness.

Each morning, count your blessing and your sorrows. You will find that blessings always win.

He spoke about what it is to be a winner:

The meaning of winning is any definition you want it to be,

Winning is overcoming yourself,

A winner has a vision and is disciplined, high motivation,

Regardless if it is a game, business or life, it is a measure of achievement,

A winner does not give up, perseveres to high goals,

A winner comes out on top, competition is good, makes us better,

A winner has balanced achievement in many areas.

Mr. Nelson then had the guests play the game of “Wheel of Fortune”. He was the Pat Sajak and Barb Schultz was the Vanna White. The guests were asked by ‘Pat’ to call out, in turn, six different letters to complete the quiz word. ‘Vanna’ then wrote the correct letters on a board, one at a time. The first correct letter was “R” at the end of the quiz word. Once the group had called out two “N’s” in the middle of the word, they all guessed the correct answer “WINNER”.

Ken closed his presentation by stating: “You are all winners and have been successful in your endeavors. You have given of yourself and your pocket books”.

His closing theme was; “Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner”. All scholarship donors were then thanked and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift card to Kentucky Fried Chicken!

The donors or sponsors are dedicated individuals who have all had a connection with the Taylor Public Schools in one form or another – some former students, former teachers, present teachers, Board of Education members or community leaders.

The scholarships awarded were: The Ann Robertson Drake Scholarship, The Charles Dickelman Scholarship, The Environmental Solutions Scholarship, The Educational Athletic Scholarship, The DFCU Financial Scholarship, The Grodman Cure Foundation/Shane Simmons Memorial Scholarship, The Mayor Sollars Scholarship, The Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship, The Taylor Ministerial Making a Difference Scholarship, The Taylor Alumni Association Scholarship, The Taylor Public School Foundation Scholarship, The Total Community Credit Union Scholarship, The Women’s Auxiliary of the Democratic Club Scholarship, The Angela Croft for Educational Excellence Scholarship, The Taylor Police Auxiliary Scholarship, and the A.J. Webb Memorial Scholarship.

Choral groups from Kennedy and Truman high schools also performed. The breakfast was cooked and served by the staff of The Chopping Block Restaurant, which is past of the Taylor Career and Technical Center.

The Taylor Public School Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1986, made up of volunteers from businesses and the community to raise funds above and beyond the Taylor Public School District operating budget. In addition to awarding scholarships, the Foundation supports a variety of educational programs throughout the school district, K through 12.

(Provided by Barbara Schultz, vice president and public relations chairman, Taylor Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence)