VCS Employees Honored with Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Awards

DELAND – Volusia County Schools and the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools announced the 2021 Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Award (SOAA) winners during recent surprise visits to their work sites.

The school-based SOAA recipient is Jill Rogers, activities director at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. This year’s non-school-based SOAA recipient is Dennis Pullen, mechanic helper at DeLand Student Transportation Services.

Rogers coordinates senior activities and special events, manages facilities usage, facilitates field trip and fundraiser paperwork, oversees “Buc of the Week” student recognitions, and more. Rogers, an 11-year employee of Mainland, also co-sponsors Student Government Association and Class Officer.

Pullen, who has worked for VCS for 6 years, has an “exceptional personality” – with a strong eye for safety – as he helps maintain and repair school buses. He shows flexibility in performing a variety of work including vehicle maintenance inspection and repair, assisting mechanics, fueling buses, making school bus seat repairs, replacing tires, and organizing the shop. Pullen maintains a commercial driver’s license to operate school buses in times of need.

“Congratulations to our Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Award winners,” said VCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Fritz. “They emulate all of the qualities we want in all of our employees, and we truly appreciate their commitment to excellence for our families and their fellow employees at Volusia County Schools.”

See the video of the awards at: https://youtu.be/s9efWl5Sko0.

This year’s other SOAA nominees for the SOAAs were:

• Dana Monteleone, Citrus Grove Elementary
• Cathy Von Talge, Manatee Cove Elementary
• Cassandra Dotson, Southwestern Middle
• Monique Broxton-Montgomery, Campbell Middle
• Kathi Zomorodian, Port Orange Elementary
• Chrissy Dugger, Riverview Learning Center
• Emily Hunt, Coronado Beach Elementary
• Sean Sheridan, Cypress Creek Elementary
• Laura Rogerson, Edgewater Public Elementary
• Denise Benson, Indian River Elementary
• Laura Dascoli, Sweetwater Elementary
• Norma Ruiz-Moret, Louise S. McInnis Elementary
• Nicole Diehl, Ormond Beach Elementary
• Fatafehi (Faye) M. Joseph, Ormond Beach Middle
• David Jenkins, Seabreeze High
• Pamela Lauer, Tomoka Elementary
• Krissy Catalano, Deltona High
• Toni Slabodnik, Deltona Lakes Elementary
• Teresa Tegge, Galaxy Middle
• Joanne Canicatti, Pride Elementary
• Emalix Infante, Sunrise Elementary
• Lisa Parker, Timbercrest Elementary
• Audrey Delio, Information Technology Services
• Charity Sauskojus, School Way Cafe

The Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Awards are sponsored annually by FUTURES Foundation, and the two award recipients receive a plaque and $250. The SOAA awards were initiated to honor support staff members who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, teamwork, cooperation, and innovation in their jobs. This year, all nominees will receive a $20 gift card compliments of Burntwood Tavern which recently opened in Ormond Beach.

FUTURES Foundation is a nonprofit, direct support organization founded in 1985 to support Volusia County Schools. Its mission is to engage business and civic leaders to promote and achieve educational excellence for Volusia County Schools. More info: www.FUTURESVolusia.org