The Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) hosted its 19th Annual Awards Presentation and Gala on Nov. 2 at South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center. Themed “Next Giant Leap… Shoot for the Moon and Land among the Stars,” more than 340 attendees helped honor many individuals for their positive contributions to the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) and more than $85,000 was raised for innovative programs supporting students, a new record for this event!
“Once again, our community generously showed their support of our mission to provide innovative learning materials to our students,” said CCEF Chairman Jonathan Cottrell. “It was heartwarming to see our community come together to recognize these outstanding individuals and support education in Clear Creek ISD.”
The focal point of the evening included honoring an elite group of individuals for their outstanding efforts in serving and representing CCISD. The 2019 award recipients included:
Ann Hammond – George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award for consistent commitment to CCISD over time.
Jackie Mitchell (CCHS ’83), Dr. Daniel Okorodudu (CCHS ’00), Dr. Dale Okorodudu (CCHS ’02) and Melissa Wiginton (CLHS ’76) – Distinguished Alumni Award which honors individuals who have excelled in their chosen profession and have made significant contributions to their communities.
Darren Ellisor- Valor Award in honor of a public servant (military, police, fire, etc.) who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Ron W. Masters, Alaina Garza and Lyzette Ruiz – CCISD Superstar Award which honors individuals who support and enhance the District, whether CCISD alumni or not.
Tim and Debbie Kropp of MRI Technologies – Dennis Johnson Memorial Small Business Award recognizes a local entrepreneur within CCISD who demonstrates unwavering commitment to the district through active participation in multiple activities.
Chris Reed – CCISD Citizen of the Year which recognizes an outstanding member of the community who consistently demonstrated commitment to CCISD and excellence in public education through volunteer efforts. It is bestowed by the CCISD Board of Trustees and the CCEF.
All award winners received a saber salute from the Clear Creek High School Junior ROTC as they entered the ballroom and were introduced by Master of Ceremonies Anna Alves, Clear Creek High School senior and Sarvesh Subramanian, Clear Brook High School junior.
Other gala highlights included silent and live auctions, a Kendra Scott jewelry pull donated by Pam Ploss and Kendra Scott, music by Sheila Keyes, CCISD Fine Arts Consultant and TapSnap Phototainment.
The event was planned by a 21-person volunteer committee that included: CCEF Community Marketing and Events Manager, Kelsey McNeil; CCEF Executive Director, Deborah Laine; Co-Chairman, Joyce Abbey and Suzanne Abbey Fair; Committee Members, Kim Barker, Katy Bastedo, Janet Brown, Eva DeCardenas, Kimberly Fleming, Roy Green, Sandra Ham, Ann Hammond, Lisa Holbrook, Chani Honeycutt, Laura Mackay, Amanda Mark, Sarah Moutz, Jill Reason, Elaine Renola, Deena Rigby, Mary Ann Shallberg, Teresa Vencil and Elizabeth Wang.
CCEF truly appreciates the generous sponsors who have supported the event! Special thanks to The First Footprint-Presenting Sponsor: Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott; The Tranquility Base Sponsors: Balfour and PBK Architects; The Eagle Sponsors: Assured Partners, MD Anderson, Moody Bank, MRI Technologies, Paradigm Consultants, Pam and Greg Ploss, Rogers, Morris and Grover, LLP, Service Steel Warehouse CO, L.P and UTMB Health; The Columbia Sponsors: Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Huckabee, Joiner Architects, Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai and San Jacinto College District; The Saturn V Sponsors: Ann Hammond, Awards of Distinction, Scott Bowen, City of Nassau Bay, Jay and Carrie Cunningham, John J. Lovoi Jr., DDS – South Shore Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe, State Representative Dennis Paul and Greg and Teresa Vencil- Haute Flowers and Finds.