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Edwards and Rice receive awards
By JIMMY WILLIAMS
Tideland News Writer
While town commissioners eventually conducted regular business, it was “all good” to start with at Swansboro Town Hall on Oct. 21.
Commissioners handed out accolades to Steve Edwards, recipient of the Sam Bland Community Service Award, and Lisa Rice, principal of Swansboro Elementary School.
Edwards, who is Swansboro’s public works director, was chosen to receive the inaugural Bland Award from six nominees.
Rice was singled out for recognition for the leading SES to being a named a School of Distinction following the 2009 end-of-grade tests.
Rice had been made aware of the event. The commissioners’ chamber was filled with her family members, friends and staff. Although his family was on hand, Edwards said the award was a surprise to him.
Mayor Scott Chadwick opened the meeting by pointing out that the Swansboro community is filled with people who do good things all the time.
“In Swansboro there are many positive things going on,” he said.
He referred to the town’s sidewalk, visitors’ center and Dock Walk projects, giving credit to a couple of current town commissioners.
“Mr. Lister and Mr. Allen served on the board that started the sidewalks, Dock Walk … and the … visitors’ center,” he said. “There are so many things we have accomplished together.”
It was with that spirit of community support in mind that the town commissioners came up with the Bland Award, according to the mayor.
Chadwick explained that the award was designed to honor Bland, a long-time ranger at Hammocks Beach State Park. He said Bland was instrumental in upgrading the park just outside Swansboro, and turning it into one of the best in the state.
“This board saw fit to make sure that Sam Bland was recognized,” Chadwick said. The award, given annually, will serve as a “perpetual reminder.”
The award is designed to honor “a public employee, civic leader or community volunteer who has demonstrated the qualities of outstanding dedication to the improvement of community services that were exhibited” by Bland, he said.
Making the choice was tough, as all six nominees were very deserving.
However, the commissioners finally made their choice for the inaugural winner, picking the nominee they believed “most exemplified Sam.”
“I’m happy to say that I think he is going to be surprised,” Chadwick added.
Then, without using a name, he described the contributions of the 2009 recipient, referring to his tireless service and “can-do” attitude. Chadwick was particularly careful to point out that the recipient goes to great lengths to maximize effectiveness while minimizing costs.
“He is not afraid to get his hands dirty,” the mayor said.
When he was brought forward to accept the award, Edwards was humbled.
“I think the Lord for blessing Swansboro and blessing me, too,” he said.
Edwards thanked his wife, Sharon, son, Steve Jr., and parents, Tom and Betsy Edwards, for their support.
“I’ve got a great bunch of guys working with me,” he said. “They really do care about the town. I want to tell them thank you, too.”
When it came to honoring Rice, Chadwick had this to say: “It takes strong leadership to effect change.”
In her first job as principal, Rice led SES to tremendous improvement in terms of the EOGs, elevating the school from one of the worst-performing elementary schools in Onslow County the year before she came, to scoring higher than any elementary school in the county.
“It is incredible what is being done out there,” Chadwick said. “We want to recognize the real improvement.”
With that, he had Commissioners Tina Siegel and H.C. “Pug” Pugliese unfurl a banner that states the town honors SES for being named a School of Distinction by the N.C. Department of Education in honor of its excellent EOG performance.
Rice was appreciative and thankful for the support of her family and, in particular, staff.
“This shows the true support I have at Swansboro Elementary,” she said. That effort led to improvement in the composite proficiency score at the school from 67.9 percent in 2008 to 81.8 percent in 2009. “If it wasn’t for you,” Rice said the to the staff members in the audience, “we wouldn’t be sitting here right now. You guys are the key to all this.”
The SES staff succeeded because it was ready to accept the challenge, according to Rice.
“Swansboro Elementary is a School of Distinction and we are very proud,” she said.
In addition to the certificates and banner, both Rice and Edwards were presented with gift baskets.
While town commissioners eventually conducted regular business, it was “all good” to start with at Swansboro Town Hall on Oct. 21.
Commissioners handed out accolades to Steve Edwards, recipient of the Sam Bland Community Service Award, and Lisa Rice, principal of Swansboro Elementary School.
Edwards, who is Swansboro’s public works director, was chosen to receive the inaugural Bland Award from six nominees.
Rice was singled out for recognition for the leading SES to being a named a School of Distinction following the 2009 end-of-grade tests.
Rice had been made aware of the event. The commissioners’ chamber was filled with her family members, friends and staff. Although his family was on hand, Edwards said the award was a surprise to him.
Mayor Scott Chadwick opened the meeting by pointing out that the Swansboro community is filled with people who do good things all the time.
“In Swansboro there are many positive things going on,” he said.
He referred to the town’s sidewalk, visitors’ center and Dock Walk projects, giving credit to a couple of current town commissioners.
“Mr. Lister and Mr. Allen served on the board that started the sidewalks, Dock Walk … and the … visitors’ center,” he said. “There are so many things we have accomplished together.”
It was with that spirit of community support in mind that the town commissioners came up with the Bland Award, according to the mayor.
Chadwick explained that the award was designed to honor Bland, a long-time ranger at Hammocks Beach State Park. He said Bland was instrumental in upgrading the park just outside Swansboro, and turning it into one of the best in the state.
“This board saw fit to make sure that Sam Bland was recognized,” Chadwick said. The award, given annually, will serve as a “perpetual reminder.”
The award is designed to honor “a public employee, civic leader or community volunteer who has demonstrated the qualities of outstanding dedication to the improvement of community services that were exhibited” by Bland, he said.
Making the choice was tough, as all six nominees were very deserving.
However, the commissioners finally made their choice for the inaugural winner, picking the nominee they believed “most exemplified Sam.”
“I’m happy to say that I think he is going to be surprised,” Chadwick added.
Then, without using a name, he described the contributions of the 2009 recipient, referring to his tireless service and “can-do” attitude. Chadwick was particularly careful to point out that the recipient goes to great lengths to maximize effectiveness while minimizing costs.
“He is not afraid to get his hands dirty,” the mayor said.
When he was brought forward to accept the award, Edwards was humbled.
“I think the Lord for blessing Swansboro and blessing me, too,” he said.
Edwards thanked his wife, Sharon, son, Steve Jr., and parents, Tom and Betsy Edwards, for their support.
“I’ve got a great bunch of guys working with me,” he said. “They really do care about the town. I want to tell them thank you, too.”
When it came to honoring Rice, Chadwick had this to say: “It takes strong leadership to effect change.”
In her first job as principal, Rice led SES to tremendous improvement in terms of the EOGs, elevating the school from one of the worst-performing elementary schools in Onslow County the year before she came, to scoring higher than any elementary school in the county.
“It is incredible what is being done out there,” Chadwick said. “We want to recognize the real improvement.”
With that, he had Commissioners Tina Siegel and H.C. “Pug” Pugliese unfurl a banner that states the town honors SES for being named a School of Distinction by the N.C. Department of Education in honor of its excellent EOG performance.
Rice was appreciative and thankful for the support of her family and, in particular, staff.
“This shows the true support I have at Swansboro Elementary,” she said. That effort led to improvement in the composite proficiency score at the school from 67.9 percent in 2008 to 81.8 percent in 2009. “If it wasn’t for you,” Rice said the to the staff members in the audience, “we wouldn’t be sitting here right now. You guys are the key to all this.”
The SES staff succeeded because it was ready to accept the challenge, according to Rice.
“Swansboro Elementary is a School of Distinction and we are very proud,” she said.
In addition to the certificates and banner, both Rice and Edwards were presented with gift baskets.
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