City Year Honors America’s “CHAMPIONS OF STUDENT SUCCESS”
May 4, 2015
City Year Columbia Presents 2015 Award to Richland County School District One
at Congressional Awards Dinner in Nation’s Capital
COLUMBIA, SC – Committed to paying tribute to the dedicated citizens whose steadfast efforts help students and schools succeed, the national educational organization City Year presented the inaugural “Champions of Student Success” award to Richland County School District One. Champions in 25 additional cities where City Year serves also received the award on April 29th during the Congressional Dinner & Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, an annual event bringing together City Year leaders, local stakeholders, and Congressional leadership to celebrate partnerships and demonstrate the impact of City Year corps members. Accepting the award on behalf of Richland County School District One were members of City Year Columbia’s National Leadership Summit delegation, Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon and Richland One School Board Commissioner Cheryl Harris.
“Across the country, citizen leaders are stepping forward to help students succeed,” said Michael Brown, the national CEO and Co-founder of City Year. “City Year is honored to partner with them, and to recognize these remarkable advocates for student success in the nation’s capital at our National Leadership Summit. Because of their commitment, more students are on a path to graduate from high school and be prepared for college and career success.”
In presenting the award to Richland One, Dr. Gail Wilson-Giarratano, VP and Executive Director, City Year Columbia said, “The long-standing partnership between City Year Columbia and Richand One is historical for the entire national City Year network. This award honors not just a legacy, but also the district’s unwavering commitment to the future. We are incredibly fortunate to have a strategic partnership with such an innovative and visionary school district.”
The Champions of Student Success Award, presented for the first time this year during City Year’s National Leadership Summit and annually moving forward, is designed to formally recognize and thank the extraordinary efforts of champions and partners who have generated transformative impact for the schools and students City Year serves. Nominated by the Executive Director at each City Year site, Champions may be teachers, principals, district leaders, local officials, City Year board members, corporate partners, or any individual or organization whose commitment to and passion for students has significantly enhanced City Year’s impact and gains towards realizing its long term impact goals.
About City Year
City Year is an education-focused organization founded in 1988 dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. City Year partners with public schools in 26 urban, high-poverty communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and Johannesburg, South Africa. Diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps members provide high-impact student, classroom and school-wide support, to help students stay in school and on track to graduate from high school, ready for college and career success. A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is made possible by support from the Corporation for National and Community Service, school district partnerships, and private philanthropy from corporations, foundations and individuals. Learn more at www.cityyear.org.
