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Feb. 4, 2025
Photo: Jack Fletcher, Kimberly Johnson, Bernita Franklin, Lisa Gooden, James Olson, Dean Giancola
Pinellas County Schools Office of Strategic Partnerships joined the Pinellas Education Foundation to honor the district's top mentors.
The Mentor Awards Breakfast was held on Feb. 4 at the Stavros Institute.
Congratulations to all our nominees and Mentors of the Year:
- Take Stock in Children Mentor of the Year: Kimberly Johnson, Richard O. Jacobson High
- Lunch Pal of the Year, Elementary School Winner: Lisa Gooden, John M. Sexton Elementary
- Lunch Pal of the Year, Middle School Winner: Dean Giancola, Safety Harbor Middle
- Lunch Pal of the Year, High School Winner: Jim Olson, Palm Harbor University High
- Most Logged Lunch Pal Hours (53 hours): Jack Fletcher, Azalea and Bay Point elementaries; Thurgood Marshall Middle, James B. Sanderlin K-8; and Boca Ciega, Gibbs, Hollins and Lakewood high schools
- Group Mentor of the Year - Girlfriends of Pinellas: Bernita Franklin, Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary
The guest speaker was the 2023 Pinellas County Schools Teacher of the Year Dr. Adam Zele, who teaches at Madeira Beach K-8 School. The Countryside High School Chorus performed at the event.
Thank you to all of our amazing mentors across the district who donate their time and energy to make such a lasting impact.
Want to be a mentor? Learn more at www.pcsb.org/mentor.
