MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Colquitt County School System honored a bookkeeper in the Support Services department with the annual BRAVO Award on Thursday.

Becky Rychener has worked for the school system for 31 years, but it was her first time being nominated for BRAVO.

The award, in its 14th year, was created to recognize the employees other than teachers who help make the school system successful. BRAVO stands for Balancing Responsibility and Achievement while Valuing Others.

“Mrs. Rychener’s experience and expertise extends so much further than purchasing,” Senior Assistant Superintendent Brad Gregory said. “In 31 years, she has served the school system well. She works very closely with secretaries, bookkeepers, and administrators.  After first meeting Mrs. Rychener, it didn’t take me long to realize and appreciate her dedication to our school system and love for those around her.”

Rychener shared what this nomination means to her, “A big thank you is not enough to express in words my appreciation and gratitude on being selected for this nomination. The joy and love I felt when told was overwhelming. It is a humbling experience knowing my co-workers are just as excited for me.”

Rychener and husband Junior have three children, Josie Robinson, Dean Rychener, and Troy Rychener.  

Each school and other division of the school system chose one BRAVO representative. Each site nominee completed a packet of information, which was reviewed by a committee of school public relations directors from surrounding counties to determine three finalists and the overall winner.

In addition to Rychener, the finalists were Gary White of C.A. Gray Junior High School and Penny Kebler of Colquitt County High School. It was the first time any of them had been nominated for the award.

White is a paraprofessional at C.A. Gray Junior High School and has been employed with the Colquitt County School System for six years.

“Mr. White is also known as ‘Super Man’ because he can be anywhere, at any time, to do anything,” Principal Fred Smith said. “He is not only a math whiz but is able to support learners in any academic classroom. All while reminding them of the school rules and procedures. He truly inspects what he expects.”

White shared, “It is an honor to represent such a wonderful team.  When I retired from the Air Force, I wondered if I would be able to find a place in the civilian world where I would have the same feeling of camaraderie; I have found that in education, along with the feeling of making a difference in someone’s life.”

White and wife Lynn have three children – Jeremy Thompson, Rebecca Spires, and Greg White.

Kebler is the principal’s secretary at Colquitt County High School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School System for eight years.

Principal Jamie Dixon shared, “Wow…what an outstanding assistant. Mrs. Kebler has tremendous knowledge, character, and integrity. She makes difficult days much easier as she is a true professional that is extraordinarily organized.  CCHS is a better place because of Mrs. Penny Kebler.”  

Kebler shared, “I am thankful to every supervisor, co-worker, student and friend that have inspired and helped me to grow as a person along the way. I am thankful that my supervisors saw in me a hardworking, sincere, dependable, trustworthy, and honest person.”

Kebler and husband Ryan have two sons Harrison and Hunter.

Other nominees included:

• Pamela Canty is a paraprofessional and parent involvement coordinator at Cox Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School System for five years.

• June Chatman is the school secretary at Doerun Elementary School.  She has been employed in the Colquitt County School System for nine years.

• Joy Shealy, a paraprofessional at Funston Elementary School, has been employed with the Colquitt County Schools for 13 years.

• Linda White is a paraprofessional at Hamilton Elementary School. She has been employed with the Colquitt County Schools for 29 years.

• James Scott is a school nutrition assistant at Norman Park Elementary School and has been employed with the Colquitt County Schools for five years.

• Dora Nunez is a clerk at J.M. Odom Elementary School and has been employed with the Colquitt County School System for four years.

• Greg Adams is a custodian at Okapilco Elementary School and has been employed with the Colquitt County School System for four and a half years.

• Corinthian Grier is the computer lab paraprofessional at Stringfellow Elementary School and has worked with the Colquitt County Schools for 14 years.

• Angela Hall is a special education paraprofessional at Sunset Elementary School. She is in her 13th year with the Colquitt County Schools.

• Wallace Bailey is a bus driver with the Colquitt County Schools’ Transportation Department and is in his sixth year with the Colquitt County School System.

• Berri Tatum is the registrar at W.J. Williams Middle School and has been employed with the Colquitt County School System for 20 years.  

• Billy Jackson is the School Nutrition dishwasher and custodian R. B. Wright Elementary School and has been employed with the Colquitt County Schools for five years.

Each site nominee will receive a plaque and $200 in BRAVO Bucks (to be received in the December 2019 paycheck). Each of the three finalists will receive a trophy and an additional $200 in BRAVO Bucks, totaling $400. The Employee of the Year will receive a trophy and an additional $200 in BRAVO Bucks, totaling $600. Additionally, the overall winner received special gifts from Walt Altman of Altman and Barrett Architects and Scott Jernigan of Jostens.