LRSD News
More than 813,767 hours of volunteer service, valued at $17.1 million, were contributed on behalf of the Little Rock School District during the 2011-12 school years, marking the most volunteer hours ever recorded in a single year. That announcement came during the recent “Evening for the Stars” reception hosted by the Little Rock School District Volunteers in Public Schools program (ViPS), honoring schools, volunteers and organizations. A special award established by ViPS as a tribute to the program’s founder, Jane Mendel, was presented to Lori Conley, a volunteer who has achieved an exceptional level of service. ViPS would like to also extend a special thanks to Arkansas’ own Broadway performer, Lawrence Hamilton, who served as emcee.
Photo (l-to-r): Jody Carreiro, School Board President; Lori Conley, 2012 Jane Mendel winner; Patty Bates Abraham, 2011 Jane Mendel Award winner; Dr. Morris Holmes, LRSD Superintendent, WJ Monagle, ViPS Board of Directors
ViPS was founded in 1972 to provide assistance to teachers and other staff members of the Little Rock School District by promoting volunteerism. ViPS serves as a link between the district and the community while providing patrons and citizens the opportunity to be significantly involved in the education of children.
2012 ViPS Award Recipients
2012 Jane Mendel Award
Lori Conley for district-wide service
Partners in Education
St. Vincent Health System partnered with Forest Heights Middle School
ViPS Community Resource Award
Eric Higgins for district-wide service
Junior League of Little Rock for district-wide service
ViPS Community School Volunteer Award
Ginny Belotti of Carver Elementary School
Angeletta Giles of Chicot Primary School
ViPS Family School Volunteer
Kellyann Thornton of Roberts Elementary School
LeAndrew Cranford of Wakefield Elementary School
Alison Nicholson of Pulaski Heights Middle School
Anita Smith of Mablevale Middle School
Vicki Botner of Fulbright Elementary and Mann Middle School
ViPS Leadership Award
Pattie Hamilton for district-wide service
Mary Thompson of Central High School
Whitney Bordelon of Carver Elementary School
ViPS Parent Involvement Award
Kendrick Seahorn of Chicot Primary
Boyce Pearson at Dodd Elementary School
Henri Smothers for district-wide service
ViPS Mentor Award
Fred W. Smith of Washington Elementary School
Pat Riley of Forest Heights Middle School
ViPS Student Award
Faith Mullins of Central High School
HLA Hamilton Helpers student volunteers and teacher sponsor Joyce Wright
of Hamilton Learning Academy
ViPS Stellar Service Employee Award
William Bobo of Williams Elementary School
Karen Banks of Carver Elementary School
Regina Ezell of Central High School