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)
