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Good For You

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published August 27, 2006

Frances Shaw Stavros was awarded both the State and National Society Century Community Service awards for her humanitarian and educational efforts as a member of the Colonial Dames XVII Century Florida Society, St. Petersburg Chapter.

Stavros received a certificate and a Colonial Dames glass bowl in recognition of her leadership.

Since 1958, she has been an active member of the community supporting educational, cultural, religious and medical organizations and charities. She also founded the Pinellas Education Foundation SAVE scholarship program, which provides vocational and technical training scholarships to encourage students ages 16-24 to become productive, self-sustaining citizens.

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Nicole Erin Tillotson, daughter of Debbie and Lee Tillotson, graduated from Florida State University with a master's degree in science and a 4.0 grade point average.

In 2004, Tillotson also graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English education from Florida State University.

A graduate of Boca Ciega High School, Tillotson was nominated co-valedictorian in 2000.

Her most recent plans include a relocation to Orlando, where she has accepted a contract to teach middle school language arts in Orange County.

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Danielle Angela Kesler, daughter of Elizabeth Dingle of St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Previously Kesler graduated from the Center of Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School in 2000. She is an active member of Bethel Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.

Kesler works in the real estate field as a licensed title insurance agent for Title Exchange of Pinellas Inc. in St. Petersburg.

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Kathryn Jane Samuel, daughter of Susan and Hank Samuel of Palm Harbor, received the Good Citizen Award from the Caravel Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution as a high school senior from Shorecrest Preparatory School.

In addition to her outstanding achievements and patriotism, Samuel was honored for her active role in the community. She was a member of the varsity swim team for the past five years and was a swim coach for the past two years. She was a member of the alter committee at her church and the Girl Scouts, where she participated in the design and construction of a local park. She was also a member of the Youth in Government Club, where she developed her skills in public speaking.

Samuel plans to attend college at Florida State University this fall.

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Lisa Shad, daughter of Jan and Stephen Shad of St. Petersburg, was nominated and honored with a membership for the Golden Key International Honor Society as a junior pre-med student at the University of South Florida.

Shad was honored for her top performance among the junior and senior classes ranking in the top 10 percent for academic achievement. Shad also graduated magna cum laude in 2003 from Gibbs High School and Pinellas County Center for the Arts.

Shad plans to pursue a career as a physician for public health.

* * *

Susan McDonald, of Northside Christian School, is on the National Honor Roll as an Outstanding American Teacher for 2005-2006.

NHR's Outstanding American Teachers recognizes educators who have made a difference in our community. For the past five years McDonald has served as the high school English Department Chair for Northside Christian School. Her innovative, hands-on learning projects coupled with her enthusiasm has made her a favorite among the student body.

Prior to teaching in Pinellas County, McDonald taught in South Carolina where she won the 2000 Teacher of the Year in Florence and the 2000 Sam's Club Teacher of the Year.

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William Heller, professor and former dean at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, received the Council for Exceptional Children's Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of special education and the Council.

Heller served as chairperson of CEC's Professional Standards Committee, which developed the group's Code of Ethics, Standards for Professional Preparation and Standards of Practice. Heller was also instrumental in securing the National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education's adoption of CEC's standards. He also developed standards for the Early Childhood through Young Adulthood Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate awarded by the national Board for Professional Teaching standards.

Heller has received numerous awards, including a presidential citation for exemplary performance as vice chairman of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals, the Teacher Education Division's TED/Merrill Awards, Wallin Lifetime Achievement in Special Education, and was appointed to the University of Northern Colorado's Hall of Fame.

To submit Good For You items (college-level or higher), call Ceska McCottry Sutton at 893-8826 to request a form.

[Last modified August 25, 2006, 09:38:52]