Scholarships

Three Scholarship Committees awarded $500 to each of the following Round Rock Students:

Cyara Rodriguez
Scott Langley

Suzanne Downing
James Thoma

Crystal Agnew
Chris Culpepper
Crystal Straseske

Serving on the Stony Point Committee with Chris Scott, I was overwhelmed by three variables that made the decision making process very difficult.

One, the level of excellence with which our youth perform.  Many of the applicants not only excelled in academic areas, but in community service as well.

The second relates to the adversity many of the applicants have overcome.  Students that have lost one or both parents, work after school and weekends to help support their families, have illness or injuries that challenge progress, or are children of parents of recent immigration that speak little English.

The third impression was how grateful and sincere these students were in acknowledging the support of significant individuals in their lives, be it a parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or teacher.  This truly reminded me of how we are connected and important to one another.

While we do our work in the community, let’s remember WHO we are doing it for.  At times it may seem important to have community acknowledgement of our contributions.  But in the end, it is the gracious, heartfelt, quiet, way we serve our fellowman, without regard for accolades, that has long and lasting impact on lives.

I heartily recommend that if the opportunity to serve on these committees presents itself to you, serve!  YOU will be the one walking away with the gift of seeing our youth through a marvelous lens.

Laurie Johnson

Service To Mankind Award—David Pierce

It is my privilege to nominate Sergeant David Pierce of the Round Rock Police Department for your community volunteer/service award.  David has been a volunteer with the Round Rock ISD Special Olympics program since 1990 as an assistant coach, key volunteer and chaperone, devoting approximately 80-100 hours per year with our program. Additionally, he volunteered for Area 13 Special Olympics as the Head of Security for three years, and since 1990 has headed the Round Rock Police Department Law Enforcement Torch Run efforts on behalf of Special Olympics Texas.  He most recently was selected to participate in 2003 Winter Games Final Leg Torch as one of four officers accompanying athletes carrying the flame during Opening Ceremonies on 24 January.

David's ongoing involvement in our program includes assistant coaching athletes at various practices and competitions under the guidance of the head coaches in Round Rock, and traveling with the team to its many competitions throughout the year and assisting in whatever capacity is needed at that time. When traveling for three days to state level competitions in Austin, Houston and Arlington, David has always made arrangements with his work and family by using vacation time so that he can be with our athletes. Understand that a large segment of our competitions occur over weekends when individuals usually choose to rest and be with family.  David gives his time to Round Rock Special Olympics.

Round Rock is very fortunate to engage many volunteers in our school program, but it is uncommon that one person would invest the enormous hours that David has over the years. What I find remarkable about David is that he also invests in his community in other endeavors beside Special Olympics. Examples of his community leadership include being a Den Leader and Cubmaster for the Boy Scouts (Pack 157), volunteering and co-directing the RRPD "Blue Santa" program (4 years), being a volunteer "dealer" at the Kiwanis Casino Night fundraiser (3 years), volunteering at the RR Public Library for their "Mystery Night" as an actor (6 years) and volunteering for the Round Rock Fun Run and the Round Rock Volunteer Center.

I  recognize there are many wonderful people in Round Rock, TX., who dedicate many hours to the organizations of their choice, and the selection of the Community Service Award could go to many deserving individuals.  It is my honor and privilege and nominate Sergeant David Pierce for this award, and I hope that he will rise to the top in your selection process.

Thank you for your consideration of David.

Respectfully,
Jan Sartain
Head Coach, Round Rock Special Olympics