Smyrna students honored with Mayor's Education Awards

The Smyrna Mayor's Education Awards winners were announced last week as area schools recognized a student, staff member and volunteer based upon excellence and other criteria.

Students could be honored for outstanding academic performance, while leadership, helping others or rising above circumstance to do their very best were further criteria. Staff awards could be either for faculty or office staff and volunteers may also be couples who take an active involvement in the betterment of the school.

Recognized at  were fifth-grader Kevan Washington, kindergarten teacher Melissa McRoberts and volunteer Chris Haddox.

Washington and his family are from New Orleans, but relocated to the area shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"He was so quiet, it took me a few weeks to get to know him,'' recalled McRoberts of becoming Washington's first Georgia teacher five years ago. "But it didn't take me long to realize how incredible he was. He's so bright, a good friend to everybody and overall a great student.''

Eshiqyta and Michael Washington are Jevan's parents.

"He comes from a great family and his parents are very supportive of his education,'' said McRoberts. "He's a model student.''

Washington's favorite subject is math and he enjoys "reading,'' "football'' and "playing on the computer,'' too. And he's got a good laugh.

Principal Joanne Robblee praised McRoberts dedication to teaching and education. McRoberts, who has been at Teasley since she moved from New York 11 years ago, said she was "honored'' to be recognized.

And the Mayor's Education Award meant something to Washington, as well. Even if it did catch him by surprise.

"It means a lot, '' he beamed. "I got the letter one day in the mail that said I'd been selected. I said, 'Wow! Who knew?'''

Apparently a lot of people now.

Mayor's Education Awards Winners

Argyle Elementary  - Mahdiya Haq (Student),  Julia McCreary (Staff), Mr. & Mrs. Donovan Groen (Volunteer)

Belmont Hills Elementary - Julissa Jamie, Joy Miles, Chris Mullis

Brown Elementary - Javier Dominguez, Kim Hill Waits, Marquis & Aisha Alston

Green Acres Elementary  - Pablo Barrera, Lisa Adam, Monica Ruiz Velasco

King Springs Elementary - Tori Mullins, Margaret Jourden, E'Lice Mitchell  

Nickajack Elementary - Ben Hamilton, Noel Roberds, Steven & Gretchen Fuller 

Norton Park Elementary - Luis Lara, Amelia Gonzalez, Wakeeta Rosser-Gas South

Teasley Elementary - Kevan Washington, Melissa McRoberts, Chris Haddox

Imagine International Academy - Oscar Rivera, Tanisha Taylor, Karleen McNabb

Campbell Middle - Juan Castro, David Stickle, Vivian Fussell

Griffin Middle - Heather Callahan, Colleen McCarthy, Margaret Johnson

Campbell High - Brandford Adobaw, Katherine Stocking, Yolanda Jones