ROME, GA—On the evening of Oct. 18, 2022, the dark walls and ceiling of the Black Box Theatre of Rome High School’s (RHS) College and Career Academy (CCA) were the perfect elegant contrast to the bright reds, yellows and golds of the gorgeous floral centerpieces crowning the round dinner tables that joined Rome City Schools (RCS) staff and supporters for the annual banquet honoring the system’s nominees for Support Employee and Teacher of the Year for 2023-24.
Led by RCS Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland, administrators, principals, board members and loved ones gathered to recognize and reward the group of outstanding individuals, break bread together, and announce the district’s winners in each category.
Holland anchored the evening’s ceremony with a heartfelt welcome as he called out the nominees for possessing his most favorite Ph.D.— “Passion, hard work, and determination.”
“I feel very privileged and honored to stand in front of you and acknowledge the achievements of brilliant staff who have helped make our students and our school system better,” Holland said to the audience. “They have made immense contributions to our schools and to our students.”
RCS Director of Human Resources Angela Newby, who thoughtfully organized the event, introduced and thanked representatives from Atrium Health Floyd, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific and West End Florist whose generous support helped make the banquet and awards ceremony possible. She also offered thanks to the RCS Human Resources team, Dr. Dale Willerson and Misty Tucker for their immense efforts in creating a memorable evening, as well as the RHS Student Ambassadors who helped serve the meal.
“Everyone who is being recognized tonight was nominated by their peers,” Newby informed the banquet guests. “We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding group of nominees for this year's selection of the Support Person of the Year and the Teacher of the Year, and two amazing individuals have been selected to represent our district.”
Newby went on to explain how the selection process is carried out for each area. Principals wrote a letter of recommendation for their school’s Support Employee of the Year which were reviewed by a committee of educators and support staff to select a district winner. Teacher of the Year nominees completed an application from the Georgia Department of Education and submitted to RCS’ Human Resources Department. Applications were reviewed by a committee of college professors and retired educators who made the determination of the district winner and runner-up.
After the invocation offered by Holland, attendees enjoyed a meal together of herbed grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans and a mixed green salad with a choice of delectable desserts before RCS Board Chair Jill Fisher and Vice-Chair Will Byington commenced the recognition and awards ceremony.
“Rome City Schools has a legacy of excellence and the efforts of Rome City Schools teachers, staff members, students, parents and community allow us to set and achieve high goals for our students,” said Fisher to the audience. “Tonight, we honor you as one of the best for your service, leadership, dedication and passion for teaching and learning,” she said to the group of nominees.
Nominees for Support Employee and Teacher of the Year were then recognized from each school and received a robust bouquet of red and gold flowers, an elegant standing plaque and resounding applause and cheers from their fellow co-workers, educators, family and friends.
Five-year RCS veteran Laquata Bowers-Jones, who serves as RHS administrative assistant and bookkeeper, was named district Support Employee of the Year 2024. “Mrs. Bowers-Jones serves with a helping heart and makes sure every student and staff member is supported. She takes great pride in being part of Rome City Schools,” said Fisher. Bowers-Jones was presented with a check for $200 and an additional plaque.
Bowers-Jones accepted the award with gratitude and stated, “Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such a great school system. I can honestly say that each school that I’ve worked with has been a blessing to me and to the system.”
Third grade teacher Anna Hughes, with eight years of service at East Central Elementary School, was recognized as the runner-up for the district’s Teacher of the Year award and received a check for $300 and an additional plaque.
Elm Street Elementary School Media Specialist Melanie Arrington, who is in year 23 of her service to the school, was announced as RCS district Teacher of the Year for 2024.
Arrington is described by Principal Laura Walley as an innovative thinker and a team player. “There is not a project she will turn down, nor is there a project with which she has been involved that has not been successful,” read Fisher from Walley’s letter about Arrington, who was instrumental in helping Elm Street Elementary become a STEM certified school by the Georgia Department of Education.
“Through her creativity, Mrs. Arrington’s students performed to high levels achieving state recognition. It is her passion to create innovative and equitable ways to foster enthusiasm for learning by using technology and various resources to create content, teach concepts, and engage students,” Fisher read of Walley’s letter.
Arrington will be advancing to the Georgia Department of Education to represent RCS and will have the opportunity to win Teacher of the Year at the state level. She received a check for $500 and an additional plaque to round out the evening’s presentation of awards.
Arrington accepted the award graciously and said, “I do what I do for the kids, and I love it. I’ve had 22 years at Elm Street with some amazing administrators who’ve given me opportunities to do amazing things for the kids and for the school.” She explained her belief that this award is very much a recognition of the RCS community made up of teachers, staff, administrators and families. “A whole is greater than its parts, and we are in this together,” said Arrington. “I stand here among some amazing teachers, and I hope I represent you well.”
Holland closed the evening with thanks and appreciation of the educators and staff who serve the children and families of RCS. “It’s not about the title, it’s about the task,” said Holland. “Thank you for chasing the task of serving and educating the children in our school system. I love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” he added with smile.
Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
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