April 23, 2008

News Release

Tyler ISD Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Academic Achievement and Teaching Excellence

High achieving students from both high schools in Tyler Independent School District will receive special recognition Thursday night, and they will be sharing the spotlight with some extraordinary teachers on the same night. Thirty-eight students and 26 teachers will be honored.  Also, the Joe Maland Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at the ceremony that night.

For the second year in a row, the Tyler ISD Foundation will sponsor “A Night of Shining Stars,” dedicated to honoring top students from John Tyler High School and Robert E. Lee High School, Thursday, April 24^th, at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.

“This is an event which brings the best of the best from each high school together at a single event,” stated Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation. “These students have distinguished themselves not only academically – eight are also National Merit Scholars – but on the soccer field, in band and theatre, as Eagle Scouts, and by volunteering for dozens of community organizations as well.”

Each student is asked to name one teacher who has made the most significant and positive impact on his or her academic success. The teachers, along with the students’ families, will be honored with the students at the event.

“We have second grade reading teachers being recognized as well as high school advanced placement course teachers,” said Goddard. “It is a truly emotional event to hear the students give personal testimonials as to what a difference an outstanding teacher has made in their lives.”

Mary Lynn Smith, a community volunteer and organizer of the event for the second year, expects another successful “Night of Shining Stars.”

“We treat the students and teachers like celebrities. They enter on a red carpet, have their photos taken by paparazzi, and receive overflowing gift bags,” said Smith. “This is a night to shower them with the accolades they deserve. These young people have worked hard, their families have been supportive, and the teachers are publicly thanked for their endeavors,” Smith added.

Tyler ISD Foundation Board Directors Sarah Jacobi, Dawn Franks, Phil Hurley, Lonny Uzzell, Ed Wallace and community member Ginny Harleston served on the committee for “A Night of Shining Stars.”

Major Sponsors of the Event are: Hibbs-Hallmark & Company; Tyler Junior College; The University of Texas at Tyler; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bower; CDW-G; Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLC; Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch; and Tyler Independent School District.

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