April 29, 2011
Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, MS honored at 2011 Annual Education Conference
Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, MS was presented the 2010 Award of Excellence by NAJA President Charlotte Seals at the 2011 Annual Education Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. The Award of Excellence is given to honor those Chapters found to be excellent in all areas of Junior Auxiliary. Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, MS also received a National Focus award for its Health and Wellness project conducting vision and hearing screenings for all students at B.L. Bell Academy for Math, Science and Health Education. The National Focus Awards are given to honor the Chapters who sponsor outstanding projects pertaining to the National Focus of "Healthy Children-Healthy Futures".
Along with these two awards, the Cleveland JA chapter also received the Efficiency Award for meeting all NAJA deadlines and a NAJA Foundation 2011 Membership Award for achieving 100% Active Member Participation in the current fundraising campaign and was recognized as a Platinum Crown donor to the Betty Robbins Endowed Scholarship Fund.
April 25, 2011
Spring Luncheon
Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, MS's annual Spring Luncheon was held Monday, April 25th. Active, life and associate members gathered to reflect on the chapter's year of service as well as to recognize the members who completed their fifth year of active service. Michelle Clem, Mary Elizabeth Jeffreys, Leslie Tabb, and Teres Weeks were congratulated for their change in membership from active to life or associate member. Also, the membership was pleased to have a founding member of the chapter, Mrs. Sue King, in attendance.
February 22, 2011
Crash Survivor Tells Story of the Power of Good, Bad Decisions
Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland presents inspirational speaker, Sarah Panzau, to the high school students of Bayou Academy, Cleveland High School and Eastside High School on Tuesday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 23. Sarah Panzau, a two-time member of the National Junior College Athletic Association women’s volleyball All-America team, knew what it was like to be on top of her game – and on top of the world. However, somewhere between life as a competitively driven high school athlete and the early years of college, Panzau began heading down a destructive path.
Aug. 23, 2003, was the day her life would change forever as her car spun out of control. With a blood-alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit, the 21-year-old decided to drive home drunk, missed a highway exit and rolled her car four times.
Panzau now dedicates herself to speaking with students about how her life was forever changed because of the poor decisions she made.
July 30, 2010
JA is selected Cleveland’s 2010 Favorite Civic Club Service Organization in the Bolivar Commercial!
May 16, 2010
Carla Parker recognized as Betty Robbins Volunteer of the Year
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries recently announced Cleveland Junior Auxiliary Life member Carla Parker as the Betty Robbins Volunteer of the Year for Region III at its Annual Education Conference awards banquet in Mobile, Alabama. That very same night, Cleveland Junior Auxiliary member Leigh-Anne Gant surprised Parker by presenting her the award during intermission of her studio’s dance recital at the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
During the presentation, Gant explained that the chapter had sought a way to honor and thank Parker for her many years of dedicated service not only to the chapter, but to the community as well. So without her knowledge, JA nominated her for the award which recognizes Life members of Junior Auxiliary who served the chapter and continue to serve it and also work tirelessly in their community.
In the last decade, Carla Parker has touched hundreds of children’s lives through the art of dance. Perhaps, no where is her dedication more obvious, than her work with the Cleveland Junior Auxiliary’s production of “A Child’s Dream” – an adaptation of The Nutcrackerballet. Carla was a hard working active member of JA and continues to touch hundreds of children’s lives as a Life member. Apart from JA activities, through her love of dance, Carla works with children everyday teaching and encouraging them to believe in themselves. Carla lends her talent, time, and space to many children in the community whether it is helping prepare children for cheerleader tryouts or young ladies for pageants. She is truly there for all who need her.
Carla has choreographed “A Child’s Dream” in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and again in 2009. In the months leading up to the performance, Carla is at her studio every weekend twirling and pirouetting with area children as she choreographs and teaches them dance routines. She is willing to share her years of experience and knowledge with the chapter. Without Carla’s tireless effort, “A Child’s Dream” would be impossible.
January 2010, Carla Parker Dance Studios and JA were recognized by DSU and the Year of the Arts Committee at its event - “Encore! Celebrating our Artistic Achievements”. “A Child’s Dream” won the performing arts category.
Outside of JA, Carla has had the opportunity to reach children on a daily basis through the arts and her talent.
- Choreographer and instructor of Carla Parker dance troupe – performs at local charity events and nursing homes – teaching young ladies about the importance of volunteering
- Show choir choreographer and jazz teacher of the Janice Wyatt MS Summer Arts Institute (Core Arts Camp) - working with over 150 children throughout the years
- Choreographed and/or performed in many productions at the Cleveland Community Theatre – involving many children from all economic backgrounds
- Member and choreographer of the Mississippi Lions All State Band – hundreds of children audition for this band sponsored by the Lion’s Clubs of Mississippi
- Member of Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, Crosstie Arts Council, and International Ballet Association
- Past President of Dance Teachers United - received Outstanding Dance Teacher of the Year
Along with Parker’s honor at the NAJA Conference, the Cleveland JA chapter also received the Efficiency Award for meeting all NAJA deadlines and a NAJA Foundation 2010 Membership Award for achieving 100% Active Member Participation in the current fundraising campaign and was recognized as a Platinum Crown donor to the Betty Robbins Endowed Scholarship Fund and a Significant Chapter Donor by the NAJA Foundation for its support.
