WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL

stars-of-education-presented-by-martin-marietta

Why WakeEd?

Awards

Sponsors

WELCOME TO THE NINTH ANNUAL

Why WakeEd?

Awards

Sponsors

WELCOME TO OUR

Annual Gala

Welcome to WakeEd Partnership’s ninth annual Stars of Education gala and our first in-person event since October 2019! After two challenging years dealing with the pandemic, we are so excited to gather together again with you, our fellow public school champions, to celebrate the very best in our community.

Tonight, we will honor individuals who have demonstrated tremendous personal and professional commitment to the public schools of Wake County and North Carolina. We are privileged to share the impact of our honorees with you.

I am proud to serve as the President of WakeEd Partnership, leading a dynamic staff and collaborating with so many amazing community partners. Our mutual passion for educators and students inspires me each day and it’s an honor for me to speak up for them!

Next year WakeEd will celebrate our 40th Anniversary and we’re as committed today as ever to provide innovative programs and initiatives that directly support our teachers and students and to advocate for what is best for students. Just in the past year we launched our new free classroom supply store Tools4Schools that has already served teachers in 83 percent of Wake County Schools in just our first 8 months. And we launched new programs like Career Accelerator alongside our existing SummerSTEM program to help better prepare our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. We remain steadfast in our mission to build healthier and stronger school communities as we take the next step in the evolution of WakeEd.

So enjoy tonight and catch up with old and new friends as we celebrate successful partnerships and shared investments in our Wake County Public School System.

Keith Poston
President, WakeEd Partnership

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STARS AMONG US

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TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS

Have you heard the big news? WakeEd Partnership is opening a FREE classroom supply store for Wake County educators! Consider making a tax-deductible gift today to help us stock the shelves at Tools4Schools.

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Why WakeEd?

Awards

Sponsors

CONTINUE THE CELEBRATION

Missed the live event? No problem! Catch up on all the excitement by watching our 2022 Stars of Education Gala right here!

Then explore this page to see extended interviews with our honorees!

STARS OF EDUCATION

Awards

WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2022

ARIANA DEBOSE

Arts

JAMES “TWIGGY” SANDERS

Athletics

JIM HANSEN

Business

CAITLIN GOOCH

Community Service

PEGGY BARFIELD CHURN

Education

Victor Lytvinenko and Sarah Yarborough

Entrepreneurship

INTERVIEWS

with our class of 2022

VERNON MALONE FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD

2022

RALPH CAPPS

The Vernon Malone Friend of Education Award is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to public education and shares the personal qualities of the late Senator Vernon Malone, who passed away in 2009. Dr. Mandy Cohen is being honored in 2021 for her leadership during the pandemic, keeping our students, educators, and families safe and helping guide students back into classrooms.

After beginning his career in Chattanooga, Ralph moved to Raleigh in 1973 to become Executive Director of the Raleigh Boys Club. The Raleigh Boys Club had approximately 200 members and one building on Lane Street. Today, seven full-service clubs serve nearly 5,000 young people each year through the organization now known as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The clubs provide youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, character development experiences, hope and opportunity.

WakeEd has been presenting this award since 1990 to an individual who has made significant contributions to our community and shares qualities of the late Senator Vernon Malone who advocated tirelessly for every child to have equitable opportunities. Recipients of this award set a high standard for selfless dedication— moving from words to deeds that have a lasting impact. Ralph Capps is being honored for his incredible 50+ years of leadership serving the children of Wake County.

Sponsors

WHY

WakeEd?

WakeEd Partnership is an independent, education-focused nonprofit committed to improving public education and advocating for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. Since 1983, WakeEd has provided programs and resources to help WCPSS educators engage students in innovative ways that address the rate of change in education and the modern workforce. Additionally, WakeEd advocates for educators and school leaders at the local and state level in support of evidence-based best practices and policies that promote effective teaching.