By Janet Jacobs
Teachers and students enjoyed one more evening of reminiscences Thursday at the sixth annual Gioia Keeney Bright Lights of Success banquet at the Cook Center, honoring the top Corsicana High School students and their favorite teachers.
It was an evening to honor excellent students, good teachers and great parenting skills, according to Superintendent Don Denbow.
Each of the students were asked to choose a teacher to accompany them at the dinner, and the choices included teachers from elementary, middle school and high school, coaches, extracurricular sponsors and other professionals, including the athletic trainer and the principal of the high school.
Students were praised for having worked hard for four years, and the students, in turn, praised their teachers for their contributions to their success.
Andrew Brownlee honored his fourth-grade math teacher, Charlye Worley: “Mrs. Worley is without a doubt one of the best teachers I have ever had,” he wrote. “She gave me the confidence and knowledge to enjoy math and even pursue a career that is very math-centered.”
Coach William Braswell was chosen by Brian Gregory, who said: “Not to be fooled by this man’s size, he is a bull and has the heart of a lion and he instilled in me the will power to remain determined and keep pushing toward my own life goals.”
Patrick Sparks, who will attend the Air Force Academy next fall, wrote of the Air Force Junior ROTC sponsor, Col. William Pailes helped develop his character, attitude and long-term goals. “Were it not for him to guide me through it all, or to put me through all of this to begin with, I wouldn’t be the kind of person I am today.”
The banquet was hosted by the Corsicana Education Foundation, of whom Gioia Keeney was a founding member. Keeney was also the former publisher of the Corsicana Daily Sun. Sponsoring the dinner was the Navarro Community Foundation.
In addition to an opportunity to share memories and fond farewells, the students were also given gifts in the form of checks and photo frames. Each student received $200.
Dr. Keith Moore, outgoing principal at Corsicana High, was the master of ceremonies as well as one of the educators honored. Moore thanked the students and teachers for the “trust, faith and support” they’ve given him.
Honored at the banquet were the following Top 10 percent students, their parents, and their chosen educator:
• Timothy Daniel Adams, son of Steven and Belinda Adams, and English teacher Teresa Parker.
• Amanda Barton, daughter of Richard Barton, and chemistry teacher Abegayl Thomas.
• Andrew Brownlee, son of Steve and Sherry Brownlee, and math teacher Charlye Worley.
• Audrey Cain, daughter of Monte and Paula Cain, and softball and volleyball coach Elizabeth Collier.
• Omar Castillo, son of Pascual and Maria Castillo, and AP English teacher Elizabeth Talley.
• Stephanie Colburn, daughter of Steve and Susan Colburn, and band director Michael Williamson.
• Latesha Collins, daughter of Linda Collins and James Jeffcoat, and fifth-grade teacher Patrice Manning.
• Brenna Conklin, daughter of Brian and Heather Condley, and government teacher Wayne Ward.
• Hannah Douglass, daughter of Betina Hawkins, and physics teacher David Kasprzyk.
• Chelsea David-Nickolay, daughter of Ruth David, and algebra teacher Kathryn Huffman.
• Cheyenne Fitzgerald, daughter of Amber and David Keele, Kelly and Melissa Fitzgerald, and art teacher Tracey Abel.
• Ashley Gegenheimer, daughter of Marlene Gegenheimer, and teacher Vickie Kirk.
• Brian Gregory, son of Eddie and Debra Gregory, and coach William Braswell.
• Taylor Jacobson, son of Terry and Tina Jacobson, and coach Luke Mackay.
• Erica Jones, daughter of Johnny and Thelma Jones, and Ready, Set, Teach! teacher Donna Turner.
• McKenzie Jordan, daughter of Mark and Tracey Jordan, and journalism teacher Sarah Lentz.
• Henry Kirkpatrick, son of Steve and Peggy Kirkpatrick, and coach John Griggs.
• Alex Kolosta, son of Danny and Judy Kolosta, and counselor Robin Vyers.
• Andey Means, son of Charley and Pam Means, and coach Richey Cutrer.
• Joey Motley, son of Ron and Carole Motley, and history teacher Phillip Keltner.
• Jonathon Neal, son of Danny and Angela Neal, and coach Walter Berringer.
• Katelyn Nease, daughter of Gary and Kathy Nease, and mentor Dana Miller.
• Tamra Norris, daughter of LaJoy Norris, and coach Laura Walker.
• Antonious Restom, son of Talat and Silvia Restom, and math teacher Joanne Newton.
• Patrick Sparks, son of Kevin and Jeanette Sparks, and AFJROTC sponsor Col. William Pailes.
• Alyssa Starling, daughter of Joel and Amy Starling, and counselor Barbara Phillips.
• Lindsey Stevens, daughter of Scott and Robin Stevens, and drama teacher Cranston Dodds.
• Nicholas Tafacory, son of Tony and Cathy Permenter, and eighth-grade teacher Kelly Donaho.
• George Villa, son of Pablo and Mariana Villa, and computer teacher Karen Vandiver.
• Lane Watkins, daughter of Jerry and Kay Watkins, and Spanish teacher Lucy Jones.
• Michael Williams, son of Ivana Williams, and principal Dr. Keith Moore.
• Erica Wolver, daughter of Jimmy and Jennifer Wolver, and cheer sponsor Amber Payne.
• Cameron Young, son of Ellis and Rachel Young, and athletic trainer Bernie Camarillo.
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