VCS Employees Honored with Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Awards

Daytona Beach – Volusia County Schools and the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools announced the 2022 Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Award (SOAA) winners during recent surprise visits to their work sites.

The school-based SOAA recipient is Juanita Tomlinson, a paraprofessional at David C. Hinson, Sr. Middle in Daytona Beach. This year’s non-school-based SOAA recipient is Nicole Yates, a Data Analyst in the School Choice & Charter Schools Department.

A 25-year Volusia County Schools employee with 15 years at her current site, Tomlinson instruct students with disabilities in a Multi-VE setting while also serving as the Head Special Olympics Coach at her school. Principal Bill Dunnigan explains her as being “an influential motivator and catalyst for social inclusion and attitude & behavioral change at David C. Hinson, Sr. Middle School. She provides our students with unyielding support to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.”

Yates, who has worked for VCS for 20 years, maintains records of state scholarship programs and school choice variance applications. Her supervisor Sandra Tweedy says she is “one of the most dedicated employees I have had the pleasure to work with in my 35 years as a Volusia County Schools Employee. She is constantly thinking of ways to make the variance process easier for parents and students.”

This year’s other SOAA nominees were:

• Nikole Zielinski, Citrus Grove Elementary
• Kathleen McCarthy, Coronado Beach Elementary
• Kathy Feeser, Cypress Creek Elementary
• Damion D. Dunn, DeLand High
• Cynthia L. Fricks, DeLand Middle
• Karina B. Dalik, Deltona High
• Evelyn Navarro, Enterprise Elementary
• Deborah Combs, Galaxy Middle
• Terri Baer, Horizon Elementary
• Tina Sutton, Hospital & Homebound
• Donna Sandroni, Louise S. McInnis Elementary
• Brenda Jenkins, Mainland High
• Jackie Jessup, New Smyrna Beach Middle
• Tammi Tyson, Port Orange Elementary
• Brittany Karnes, Pride Elementary
• Noevia Cooke, River Springs Middle
• Pauline Schaack, Seabreeze High
• Tracy Granger, South Daytona Elementary
• Jennifer Wainwright, Spruce Creek Elementary
• Allison Utterback-Norton, Sunrise Elementary
• Gayle Osiborski, Sweetwater Elementary
• Tammy Tressa, Timbercrest Elementary
• Marina “Yolanda” Cintron, Tomoka Elementary
• Jessica Herbold, University High
• Blaze the Dog from Spruce Creek Elementary is also receiving an honorary recognition.

All nominees will be celebrated at an awards breakfast in September 2022.

The Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Awards are co-sponsored by VCS and FUTURES Foundation, and the two award recipients receive a plaque and $250. The SOAA awards were initiated to honor support staff members who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, teamwork, cooperation, and innovation in their jobs.

FUTURES Foundation is a nonprofit, direct support organization founded in 1985 to support Volusia County Schools. Its mission is to engage business and civic leaders to promote and achieve educational excellence for Volusia County Schools.

More info: www.FUTURESVolusia.org.