C. F. Spanier Award Winner 2011

Written by Mark Doherty

  When the group met this year to recommend and discuss possible C. F. Spanier Award nominations, this name was mentioned more than once. And each time someone would mention this person; positive comments followed.

As I prepared for what I was going to say about this recipient, I did a little research on what makes a good award speech. I read where one may want to compare the winner to an item that matches the recipient's characteristics. As I thought about it, one thing kept coming to my mind...the Energizer Bunny.

As we know, the Spanier Award is about a person that does more and gives more, or keeps going and going and going without seeking anything in return. This recipient has worked at Fairhope Elementary School for many years and willingly works more than the allotted workday. I often joke that Mr. Beasley has the switch to turn the sun on and Mrs. Ikner has the off switch but I think I may have to change my way of thinking because this person is often the first person at school, many times the last person to leave, and works most weekends.

This year's winner takes pride in knowing everything that goes on with everyone in any part of the school at any given time. It took a great effort to ensure that this year's recipient would not find out that she was being honored by receiving one of the two C. F. Spanier Awards.

Our C. F. Spanier Award Winner for 2011 is Nancy Jernigan.

Thank you so much Nancy. We appreciate all you do for Fairhope Elementary School. Congratulations!