District announces volunteer of the year
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 17, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Marlene Sosa, center, accepts the Terry Eugene Pilkington Volunteer of the Year award for Wayne County Public Schools, after her name was announced by Interim Superintendent Dr. Sandra McCullen, left. At right is Youlonda Wynn, principal of Brogden Primary School, where Ms. Sosa volunteers.
Marlene Sosa was happy from the moment she entered the gym at Tommy's Road Elementary School Thursday afternoon.
She walked through the door as if on cue, just as her name was called along with others being recognized as volunteers of the year at their respective schools.
A broad smile broke out across her face as she approached the stage to be congratulated by the district interim superintendent, Dr. Sandra McCullen.
That probably would have been enough of an accolade for the mother of three sons -- ages 25, 20 and 14 -- who has invested more than 1,100 volunteers at Brogden Primary School supporting students who speak English as a second language.
But the recognition was far from over.
Moments later, she was summoned up again, as she was named the Terry Eugene Pilkington Volunteer of the Year for Wayne County Public Schools.
Her story was unique, in that she had previously come to the school as an employee in 2012, working there for two years, as an English as a Second Language, or ESL, tutor, Mrs. McCullen said.
"Personal circumstances prevented her from returning this year as a paid tutor. Despite no longer being a school employee, (she) still has an active role at the school and volunteers 40 hours a week supporting ESL students in the areas of language acquisition, social skills and behavior," she said. "She also assists the school in translating documents to send home, serving as a translator for parent conferences and making parent calls."
Her dedication to the role was evident, Mrs. McCullen said -- often "arriving early and staying late" and taking an active role in such programs as a multicultural festival and a "Hispanic family night."
Ms. Sosa admitted afterward that the recognition was a surprise, since she had simply given "from the heart."
"I love my kids there. I love helping the families there," she said.
As her husband, Eduardo Meza, joined those congratulating her, the emotion began to overtake the honoree.
"It means," she said, her voice catching, "It's appreciative for me."
The district also recognized two Partners in Education, given to businesses and organizations that also donate their time, expertise and funding to the schools.
"At last count, the district has 175 Partners in Education that help support our 31 schools," said Robert Freeman, school liaison officer at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and chairman of the PIE steering committee.
In the large category (with more than 50 employees or members), the award went to Eureka United Methodist Church, nominated by Northeast Elementary School.
Representatives have lent support at the school for the past two years, providing "Backpack Buddy" program to provide nutrition support for up to 39 students for the past four years, even before the group officially became ongoing partners, Freeman said. The group also provided clothing, Christmas gifts and school supplies, as well as a prayer ministry for the teachers and staff.
BB&T in Pikeville, which has served at neighboring Northwest Elementary School for the past 10 years, was the recipient in the small category (for those with 1-15 employees or members). Among its contributions have been providing volunteers for the annual fall festival, bringing the banking bus to the school as an "in-house field trip" to engage students in math and banking, and providing speakers at the school's career day.