THOMASVILLE- The Thomasville City Schools Board of Education recognized two outstanding members of the community during its meeting in January. 

During the final December Board meeting, Director of Human Resources Nate Espy shared the City Schools would be bringing back two initiatives including the Tireless Award and the Bulldog Business Partner of the Month. Each month, one school from the district would recognize a non-classified staff member and a business the school partners with. 

The Tireless Award is given to a non-classified employee who has been nominated by their principal as the glue that holds the school together. 

MacIntyre Park Middle School Principal Courtney Davenport chose Cafeteria Manager Thelma Bates as the recipient of the Tireless Award. 

“It takes a lot to feed almost 600 students every single day, in a normal situation,” Davenport said. “Try feeding 600 students in a gutted-out library with a kitchenette. That’s what happens every single day at MacIntyre Park by a wonderful group of people, led by a woman I want to honor tonight.” 

Davenport went on to say that every time he has asked for something, Bates has made it happen. 

“It may be raining and we will need the food brought from the cafeteria to the building, and it will get done,” he said. “Any adjustment that needs to be made, she will do it.” 

Davenport concluded by saying, he couldn’t thank Bates enough for the job she does every day, ensuring the MPMS students eat two meals a day, all with the utmost professionalism and a smile on her face. 

“She has encouraged me when I was down, and lifted me up when I needed to be lifted up, and just done so many things to make me feel important when I really didn’t feel that way,” he said. “It goes beyond the job; it is almost like a ministry. Even when she’s hurting and tired, she keeps on going.” 

Davenport said staff members like Bates were hard to come by. He then invited her to receive the Tireless Award, as the audience gave her a standing ovation. 

Davenport then recognized the Bulldog Business Partner of the Month, Hopkins Funeral Home. 

Davenport began by noting that it takes a lot to support the children, educationally and curriculum-wise. 

“With that, funding is required, and so we have to make sure we have things in order so our kids can get what they need,” Davenport said.

To help incentivize students, MPMS regularly holds events. 

“We set things up all the time, rather big or small, we need financial contributions,” Davenport explained. 

One of the places Davenport can always count on to help support the student’s progress through financial contributions is Hopkins Funeral Home. 

“Hopkins Funeral Home is one of the leading businesses in this area and they do a great job,” Davenport said. “Ever since I’ve been at MacIntyre Park, they’ve been one of our leading supporters and I felt like we should honor your business.” 

Davenport thanked Chris Hopkins, owner of Hopkins Funeral Home for all that he has done to support the students at MPMS, noting the school couldn’t continue to provide for students in the way they do without his help. 

Hopkins was then presented with a plaque by Davenport to hang inside his business. 

Davenport concluded by having everyone in attendance who has a child at MPMS or works at MPMS stand up so they could be recognized for the work and additional support they give to the school.