ATLANTA  – Nearly 200 supporters, including Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, gathered at the Georgia Aquarium for the 2019 Champions Awards luncheon as Communities In Schools of Georgia (CIS) recognized students who have overcome major barriers in their lives to succeed in school, a Champion for Education, and a site coordinator who has gone above and beyond to provide critical resources for children and their families.

CIS Georgia is the state’s premier model for providing integrated student supports and dropout prevention and serves over 138,000 students in 244 schools across Georgia.

“I was honored to be in attendance for the Champions Awards,” said Lt. Governor Duncan. “Communities In Schools is working hard to empower students and promote educational success – which is paying great dividends for Georgia’s youth. This organization is making a monumental difference in so many lives across Georgia and we’re grateful for their dedication and commitment.”

Four student Champions were recognized for their determination, discipline and commitment to never give in to the obstacles they face until victory is achieved in school and in life. Maria Pascual (Dooly County Middle School) and Markayla Moore (Callaway Middle School, LaGrange) were named Middle School Champions; Froylan Juarez (Marietta Performance Learning Center) was named High School Student Champion, Brandan Caudill (Dodge County Performance Learning Center) was honored as the All-Around Champion.

Ann Cramer, Senior Consultant of Coxe Curry and Associates and a long-time advocate for education in Georgia, was presented with the Champion for Education Award in recognition for her tireless support and commitment to CIS and the community. Ann is one of the earliest supporters of CIS – the idea for CIS grew out of discussions in her Inman Park living room 40 years ago. She served as CIS’ second Board Chair and was the first female to hold that position.

Amerigroup, a longtime supporter of CIS Georgia, presented the Unsung Hero – Site Coordinator of the Year Award to Frederick Stanley (Long Cane Middle School, LaGrange). Stanley has worked with CIS for over 19 years, and is now serving second generation CIS students.

“We are proud to recognize these student Champions who have worked courageously to face their obstacles head-on, and have defeated or surpassed the barriers they faced at no fault of their own,” said Carol Lewis, CIS Georgia President and CEO. “We are also honored to recognize the tireless work of Ann Cramer, and the unselfish commitment of our Site Coordinator of the Year.”

Student finalists and Site Coordinator of the Year finalists were also recognized during the ceremony. Student finalists included: Sterling Johnson (Stockbridge High School), Diana Spradlin (Callaway High School, LaGrange) Zechariah Grisson (Berta Weathersbee Elementary, LaGrange) and Keaton Irvin (Long Cane Middle School, LaGrange). Site Coordinator Finalists were: Shay Montgomery (South Cobb High School, Austell), Gretchen Wilson-Tuck (Bleckley County Middle School), Terrell Reid (M.E. Lewis Elementary School, Sparta) and Berkima Williams (Dooly County K-8 and High School).

The Champions Awards Luncheon also featured a fireside chat which allowed an inside look at the past, present and future of CIS – with Cramer, CIS Alumni Fredrick Bailey and Caudill, the All-Around Student Champion, participating.

The event was possible because of the generous support of title sponsor, Georgia Power, as well as Equifax, PNC Bank, Arby’s Foundation, Amerigroup, Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Georgia Aquarium, and Honor Roll donors Jennifer Burns, Jason Carr, Anya Chambers, Nathan Lewis, Paula Goodman, Wes Sheumaker, Neil Shorthouse and the Southern Education Foundation.

 “Georgia Power is honored to have collaborated for over two decades with Communities in Schools of Georgia, and we are proud to be part of the Champions Awards Luncheon,” said Joseph Lillyblad, Education and Workforce Development Manager at Georgia Power Company. “The Champions Award Luncheon is an amazing way to recognize the hard work and dedication of the students, advocates and the CISGA team.