Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, February 28, 2011

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Scenes from the 2011 FAME Awards reception ...

Teenagers freely shared hugs and educators dabbed at tears throughout the 2011 FAME Awards ceremony, which gave high school seniors in Fayette County Public Schools a chance to honor the teachers, coaches, mentors and role models who have made a difference in their lives.

Some teachers, like Dara Felts of Lafayette High, were first-time nominees. Others, like Henry Clay’s Dr. Keen Babbage and Beverly Smith of Paul Laurence Dunbar High, were veterans of this annual districtwide recognition program.

Fostering relationships in the classroom is key, said Felts, who was singled out by three ESL students. “This is a nice confirmation. It makes me feel appreciated,” she said of the FAME Award.

“I love all my kids, and it’s nice to know they realize it as I try to guide them and take care of them,” added Smith, facilitator of the MSTC program at Dunbar.

This year, 85 students submitted essays praising their FAME nominees, and a winner was selected from each school. Lowe Promotions donated a book scholarship to ecampus.com, and Office Depot provided a gift card for each winning senior.

The Feb. 27 reception and recognition ceremony, sponsored by PNC Bank, was at Bryan Station High School. The five winners read their entire essays, and the rest of the students introduced their nominees and shared a short excerpt.

Babbage, whom four seniors nominated this time, said this program reminds teachers how blessed they are to have thoughtful students. The Henry Clay social studies teacher also encouraged his colleagues across FCPS to heed what seniors write in their FAME nomination essays, such as how they like to be challenged in their classes and how they depend on teachers’ support.

“We need to do what they tell us,” Babbage said. “We’re fortunate to be in a profession where we know what works.”

List of FAME honorees and participating seniors

The winning essays: 

• Bryan Station High School – Rachel Swanson, honoring Melissa Quinn
• Henry Clay High School – Kendall Helm, honoring Matthew Helton
• Lafayette High School – Emma Fleming, honoring Zachary Matson
• Paul Laurence Dunbar – Dillon Hickman, honoring Christopher Camuel
• Tates Creek High School – Marcellus Barksdale, honoring David Clark 

FCPS contact: For more information about the annual FAME Awards, please e-mail Heidi Reihing or call (859) 381-4794.