Carol Early--Outstanding Support Staff Member

The various people nominated for the Hicksville School Foundation’s Crystal Apple Award for Outstanding Support Staff Member are all people who are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled in their positions. Nominees for this award have provided exemplary service to the students and staff of the Hicksville Schools, earning the respect and admiration of students, parents, colleagues, and the community. The members of the Hicksville School Foundation Board of Directors chose the three finalists for this award from the many nominations that were submitted. All three are to be congratulated, but also thanked for their extraordinary service to Hicksville Schools. This week I’d like to share a little bit about each of our finalists.

It was my pleasure to nominate middle school/high school principal, Sue Dangler for this award. In my nominating statement, I noted, “Truly, no other staff member has done more to positively impact the Hicksville Village School system and do the work necessary to create excellence in this school system than principal Sue Dangler. For over 14 years, Mrs. Dangler’s vision, high standards, and enthusiasm have been key in helping Hicksville Middle School/High School become one of the premier educational institutions in the area. Sue Dangler exudes great passion for the Hicksville School System, and the importance of her efforts and dedication in taking this school district to the next level in all areas cannot be overstated. Her legacy at our school system will become the students who have met with success because she refused to accept anything but success from them.”

Mrs. Carol Early was nominated by district treasurer, Barbara Sprow-Kieffer. In her nominating statement, Mrs. Sprow-Kieffer emphasized the following: “For the many years, Carol has worked for the district, one could say that her primary job has been to keep the many superintendents and treasurers she has worked with on time and on task. Carol recognizes that we are a service industry and that service comes in many forms—whether it’s on the phone, face-to-face, via email, or voice mail. She very quietly and steadily perseveres and guarantees the day-to-day details for all aspects of the district are correct, including student reports that she is responsible for, such as open enrollment, the district’s free and reduced lunch program, and others. Through it all, she maintains a positive attitude.

Paula Scranton, an aide in our special education classrooms, was nominated by Tyler Scranton, Ryan Scranton, and Carrie Zimmer and by teacher Holly Kobee. The nominating statements pointed out, “Anyone who has had Paula assist them in the classroom would tell you that she is a kind and compassionate soul who truly cares about the success and well being of every student. This is apparent by the countless hugs, ‘high-five’s’, and the ‘hey Mrs. Scranton!’ shouts she receives from current and former students while attending school events or just being out and about in the community.” Mrs. Kobee noted, “Paula Scranton is dedicated to providing the staff with excellence on a daily basis. More importantly, she is a nurturing and loving person to some of the school’s most needy students. She has provided so many services for students over the years, even holding a graduation party one year for a student who would otherwise have never had one.

Each of these ladies is an integral part of the success that we experience every day at Hicksville Schools, and we are so fortunate to have them each as a member of our team. The recipient of the first Crystal Apple Award for Outstanding Support Staff Member, as chosen by the Hicksville School Foundation’s Board of Directors, was Mrs. Carol Early. Certainly it is a fitting tribute to Carol, who has been a consistent in the district offices for 33 years, serving with nine different superintendents, and various treasurers and board members. Thank you Sue, Carol, and Paula for all that you do for our district. Each of these ladies represents the importance of our support team in daily achieving our district’s mission to help all students reach their full potential.