Dr. Baralt awarded 2019 Elizabeth Samuelson Community Spirit Award
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
May 09, 2019
The Elizabeth Samuelson Community Spirit Award was initiated in 2018 in honor of Elizabeth Samuelson, who during her time as a parent and Trustee at Shorecrest engaged in every possible volunteer activity, modeled inclusivity and was a magnet for attracting others to be involved in the Shorecrest Community. The award acknowledges the importance of community building and the positive energy and impact an individual can bring to a school.
The award may be presented annually to a student, member of the faculty and staff, or to other community members who model the best in community spirit building. Recipients receive a plaque and have their names added to the Elizabeth Samuelson Community Spirit Award Plaque that will be displayed in the entrance of Charger Commons.
The recipient for 2019 is a unanimous choice by the four School Heads and Headmaster. She has supported students, teachers and families on every inch of our campus and beyond. And while the following list of contributions only touches on the highlights of her community building efforts this past year, I trust they give an appropriate picture of her day to day impact.
During the 2018-19 school year, our recipient gained funding and then coordinated the all-school Design Thinking Workshop for faculty and staff. She supported all faculty to become Apple Certified, and completed the projects needed for Shorecrest to retain the Apple Distinguished School status.
She organized dozens of faculty and staff to present STEAMfest to over 1500 members of the Greater Tampa Bay community.
When a newly hired MS/US media specialist could not move to accept her position, our recipient took over those duties and led the search for a new technology/resource teacher.
When our Registrar unexpectedly passed away in early January, our recipient took the reins and, with other colleagues, ensured that services needed by students, their families and faculty were provided. Seniors, your mid-year records would not have been sent to college on time if it had not been for this person.
She co-leads, the highly successful MS Robotics Team, volunteers for Booster Club, is a major contributor and leader to all faculty Professional Development activities, led the Administrative Team in the design concept for the second floor of Charger Commons and our current SAC and Library space, she attended dozens of soccer games and other school events, and she also did her actual job as Director of Educational Technology.
It is with great pleasure that we award the Elizabeth Samuelson Community Spirit Award to Dr. Anna Baralt.
