By GARETT VALCOURT
The Holmes District School Board hosted a special awards ceremony recognizing excellence in education, dedicated service, and years of commitment to the district. The evening celebrated each school’s Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year, while also honoring employees who reached significant service milestones of 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years with the district.
“Tonight was a very special evening as we celebrated the Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year winners from each school and recognized employees reaching a years-of-service milestone,” district officials shared during the ceremony.
Teacher of the year candidates
Teacher of the Year candidates from across the district were recognized for their instructional excellence and commitment to students:
- Bethlehem School: Carrie Hayford
- Bonifay K-8: Wendy McGowan
- Holmes County High School: Christy Paul
- Ponce de Leon Elementary School: Kristen Peak
- Ponce de Leon High School: Donna Hicks
- Poplar Springs School: Kelli Messer
School-related employee of the year candidates
School-related employees-whose work supports daily operations and student success-were also honored:
- Bethlehem School: Ashley Hardy
- Bonifay K-8: Fawn Sellers
- Holmes County High School: Jaqueline Adkins
- Ponce de Leon Elementary School: Tina Carroll
- Ponce de Leon High School: Amanda Widmer
- Poplar Springs High School: Glenda Stafford
District-level honors
The culmination of the evening was the announcement of the district-level winners. Wendy McGowan of Bonifay K-8was named the Holmes District Teacher of the Year, and Fawn Sellers of Bonifay K-8 received the honor of Holmes County School-Related Employee of the Year.
Years of service milestones honored
In addition to recognizing instructional excellence, the Holmes District School Board honored employees who reached significant years-of-service milestones, recognizing decades of dedication to students, schools, and the community. District officials thanked each honoree for their commitment and lasting impact across Holmes County schools.
25 Years of Service
Phyllis Carnley, Miriam Beasley, Angel Urquhart, Gloria Hobbs, James Messer, Shalee Powell, Johnny Worley, Donna Register, Stacey French, Sonya Motley, Beverly Sallas, David Williams, and Cecelia Grissett.
30 Years of Service
Kyle Rushing, Donna Griffin, Melissa Ward, Ginger Williams, Julie Johnson, Rachel Belser, Jason Motley, Cynthia Wilson, Nicki Mitchell, Penney Brooks, Terri Infinger, Tommy Hicks, and Shelley Smith.
35 Years of Service
Wanda Brown, Donna Mollett, Terry Petty, Teresa Rolling, Carrie Thompson, Kelly Crosby, Pamela Price, and Stacey Thompson.
40 Years of Service
Debra Paulk, Debra Smith, and Kim Sheffield.
45 Years of Service
Jean West.
District leaders noted that these milestones represent thousands of collective hours invested in educating students and supporting school communities, emphasizing that the district’s strength is built on the dedication and experience of its long-serving employees.
Appreciation and Thanks
District leaders expressed gratitude to all honorees and nominees, noting that their dedication strengthens schools and the community as a whole. “Congratulations to all. We appreciate your dedication to our students and our district,” officials said.
Special thanks were extended to event sponsors Sandy Spear, SVP and Regional Sales Manager, First Federal Bank,and Eddie Dixon, Director of Client Success, Culpepper Construction Company, Inc., for their support in making the celebration possible.
Staff Report 