Having served approximately nine years within the Bartlesville Public School District as a special needs bus driver, Lois Keene was able to take a victory lap on the evening of Tuesday, March 30.
Representing the district’s transportation department, Keene was revealed as the BPSD’s 2010 Classified Person of the Year during the 20th Annual Classified Person of the Year Reception, which was held at the Bartlesville Community Center.
“It felt great,” said Keene of the honor. “It was very nice.
“I’m flattered.”
The BPSD’s annual Classified Person of the Year Reception recognizes the estimated 425 classified employees who work within the district. Whereas teachers and administrators are certified employees, classified employees hold service roles within the district such as administrative assistants, custodians and bus drivers.
During Tuesday evening’s reception, there were six candidates who were eligible for the honor of the 2010 Classified Person of the Year. Each had been previously nominated and was subsequently voted on by district classified employees to represent six different categories. The candidates were the Will Rogers Early Childhood Center’s Trish Packard (Administrative Assistant category), the Bartlesville Mid-High School’s Tiffany Palmer (Custodial/Maintenance), Hoover Elementary School’s Dawn Dickson (School Assistant), Jane Phillips Elementary School’s Jenson Smith (School Age Care), Bartlesville High School’s Ricky Newkirk (Tech Media/Health Services) and Keene of the BPSD Transportation Department (Transportation).
Each of the candidates was featured in a slide show presentation and later given a plaque during the reception. They were brought to the front of the room before the winner was announced with 2009 Classified Person of the Year Margaret Puckett, the payroll coordinator with the Bartlesville Mid-High School, revealing Keene’s name.
When she heard her name, Keene smiled as she received congratulations from her fellow nominees and made her way to the podium.
Keene typically drives a special needs bus eight hours a day, making rounds throughout the district.
“I love it,” she says. “I love my kids.”
In addition to her plaque, Keene received a special gift courtesy of Bartlesville Board of Education member Barry W. Lowe, who was in attendance at the reception. For years, Lowe has served as an anonymous donor, offering a cash prize to the district’s classified person of the year. This year, he decided to turn the anonymous gift into an honor for his mother, Grace Snyder Lowe. Thus, on Tuesday evening, Keene received the first-ever Grace Snyder Lowe Award, which included a check for $1,000. Plans call for Keene to be given a Grace Snyder Lowe Award plaque in the near future while a permanent plaque will have a home in the district’s Education Service Center.
Lowe made his way to the podium on Tuesday evening to present the inaugural Grace Snyder Lowe Award to Keene.
“I really appreciate it,” said Keene of Lowe’s gesture. “It’s very generous.”
The BPSD’s 20th Annual Classified Person of the Year Reception drew an estimated 200 people. With spring having dawned and Easter around the corner, each of the 22 tables in the community room featured decorative and chocolate eggs. Light food and beverages were served.
Linda Jo Jones, the attendance secretary at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, served as the master of ceremonies for the event. She is in her 10th year as the chairperson of the reception.
“I thought it went very smoothly,” says Jones. “It went really well.
“Everyone seemed to have a good time.”
Organizers of the Classified Person of the Year Reception always strive to keep the atmosphere of the event light. Jones is quick with the jokes as the event’s long-time master of ceremonies, and all classified employees who attend win a door prize. Members of the reception’s organizing committee draw names for the door prizes and the winners make their way toward the front of the room and collect their gift.
All of the food and giveaways at the reception are offered thanks to generous donations from area businesses, parent support groups and individuals. No district money is spent on the event.
The members of the organizing committee for the 20th Annual Classified Person of the Year Reception were Teresa Gaines of Wayside Elementary School, Jennifer Kindley of Wilson, Debbie Leming of the maintenance department, Lori Newton of Wayside, Karen Fleming of Ranch Heights Elementary School and Jones.
During the reception, BPSD superintendent Dr. Gary W. Quinn and Chuck McCauley, the district’s executive director of human resources, presented service pins to classified employees who had reached milestones in the number of years they had worked for the district. Among those who received a pin was printer and Education Service Center building manager Wade Kester, who was recognized for 30 years of service. Though not in attendance at the reception, Central Middle School’s Curtis Johnson was honored for 45 years of service.
As the Tuesday evening’s reception wound toward its conclusion, student systems coordinator Beth Berryhill made her way toward the podium. Berryhill was the recipient of the 2009 Patoot Award, and as such, had the honor of selecting her successor for the current year. An annual tradition since 1997, the Patoot Award is a tongue-in-cheek honor which goes to a classified employee who has a quick wit and a thick skin and isn’t afraid to speak their mind.
Mary Jane Mendenhall, a special education teacher’s assistant at the Bartlesville Mid-High School, was chosen by Berryhill as the 2010 Patoot Award winner. She received a congratulatory hug at the podium from Berryhill and held up the award – which is a small, carved wooden statue of a horse’s backside – with a sly smile.
A special needs bus driver, Lois Keene (pictured left) was honored as the Bartlesville Public School District’s 2010 Classified Person of the Year on the evening of Tuesday, March 30 during the 20th Annual Classified Person of the Year Reception at the Bartlesville Community Center. Looking on is the district’s 2009 Classified Person of the Year Margaret Puckett, who the payroll coordinator at the Bartlesville Mid-High School.
The superintendent of the Bartlesville Public School District, Dr. Gary W. Quinn (pictured left) presents a 30-year service pin to Wade Kester, the printer and Education Service Center building manager, on the evening of Tuesday, March 30 during the 20th Annual Classified Person of the Year Reception. Looking on is Chuck McCauley, the district’s executive director of human resources.