Youngstown City School District honors teachers, staff members at honors gala
Members of the Youngstown City School District were recognized for their achievements and distinguished years of service during a special ceremony Thursday.
Superintendent of Youngstown City School District Justin M. Jennings welcomed members of the school district and their guests to the inaugural Youngstown Honors gala.
“When I think of family, the first thing I think of is love and protection,” Jennings said. “That’s what we have to do with each other...I was on an airplane, there was a lady who was trying to get her bag off and she whack, hit somebody else with the bag. Then somebody turned around and hit her with their bag. She turned around, started cussing at them, and the first thing I thought was ‘Man, we need more love in this world.’”
The gala was funded completely by donors, sponsors and the participants who came to the event; no school district money was used for the red-carpet dinner honoring teachers held from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Maronite Center.
Jennings presented several awards, including the Deb Difrancesco Principal of the Year award to Dr. Maureen Donofrio, head principal at Rayen Early College Middle School.
Here’s a full list of the honorees:
Dr. Maureen Maureen Donofrio, head principal at Rayen Early College Middle School: Deb Difrancesco Principal of the Year award
Dr. Martin Freeman, supervisor of student advocate specialists: Administrator of the Year Award
John Grahovac, utility administrator at Youngstown Rayen Early College: Lifetime Achievement Award
Savanna Boals, kindergarten teacher at Kirkmere Elementary: Teacher of the Year Award
Ronald Walcott, fifth grade teacher at Rayen Early
College Middle School: State Teacher of the Year nominee
Sharon Ragan, literacy: Academic Coach of the Year
Marlon McGaughy, boy’s basketball: Athletic Coach of the Year
Kathryn Stanton, choir and piano at Chaney High School: Tech in the Yo On Demand Award
TaNeka Allison, cosmetology at Choffin CTC: Newcomer (1st Year Teacher) Award
Ed Komara Jr., volunteer with the Lifetime Mentorship program: Superintendent’s Volunteer Service Award
Joe Meranto presented an award called the Anthony Deniro Distinguished Service close his heart to several district members:
Ernest Anderson, custodian at Volney Rogers Elementary
Madonna Barwick, science teacher at Chaney High School
Daisy Ocasio-Corso, interpreter at East Middle School
Shannon Sefcik, second grade at Harding Elementary
Ithica Stewart-Brown, bus driver
Several more members of the district were recognized for milestone number of years working at YCSD, such as Michelle Mirich, who was celebrated for 40 years of dedication to the district in the technology department.
Others received recognition for perfect attendance, celebrating retirement and a few students received scholarships.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2023 at 12:53 PM.