2015 Award Winners
ILA Award of Excellence
Dr. Robert L. Harrison, Jr., WVRA President
The ILA Award of Excellence was presented to the West Virginia Reading Association for the 15th year. This award is presented to councils that have distinguished themselves through organizing and implementing a wide range of programs and activities that serve and support the councils, contribute to education, and coincide with and support the programs and goals of ILA.
ILA Inaugural “30 Under 30” 2015
Amy Merrill, East Dale Elementary, Marion County
This inaugural list recognizes the next generation of young innovaters, advocates, and educators who are leading efforts to address the challenges of today’s evolving education landscape and make a difference in the gobal literacy landscape. These members represent 13 countries worldwide and include nonprofit leaders, classroom teachers, authors, volunteers, researchers, CEO’s, and technology start up founders. You may view these members by clicking this link:
literacyworldwide.org/30under30
WVRA Citation of Service
Mary Kay Wensyl
WVRA Citation of Merit
Jean Pearcy
Eddie C.
Kennedy
Distinguished
Teacher of the Year
Jone Hersch, Marion County
Madge McDaniel Award
Tony Nichols, Nicholas County
Cynthia Lorentz-Cook Memorial Award
Brook County Reading Council - Sandy Baldau
"Camp Read A lot" and "Camp Write A Lot"
Webster County Highlander Reading Council - Kathy Chapman
"Connecting Through History"
Mason County Reading Council - Elaine Hussell
"Feed Your Mind"
Dr. Jennie Bechtold Award
Jocelyn Kae Casto, MasonCounty
Mary Marockie A Touch of Class Award
Putnam County Reading Council
Sherry Craigo, President
Parents and Reading Honor Councils
Brooke County Reading Council
Mason County Reading Council
Marshall County Reading Council
Preston County Reading Council
Roane County Reading Council
Media in Education Grant Recipients
April Davis - Birch River Elementary
Natalie Treadway - Nicholas County High School
Media in Education Project Winners
Cabell County
Davis Creek Elementary
Martha Elementary
Jefferson County
T. A. Lowery Elmentary
Mason County
Beale Elementary
Leon Elementary
New Haven Elementary
Roosevelt Elmentary
Nicholas County
Nicholas County High School
Ohio County
Middle Creek Elementary
Putnam County
Conner Street Elementary
Hometown Elementary
Lakeside Elementary
Poca Elementary
West Teays Elementary
Randolph County
Valley Head Elementary
Roane County
Geary Elementary
Spencer Elementary
IRA Honor Councils 2014-2015
A prestigious award presented to councils who provide exemplary service
to their council, community, state, and IRA.
Marion County Reading Council (32 years)
Amanda Cayton and Amy Merrill, Co-Presidents
Cabell County Reading Council (31 years)
Nancy Borowski, President
Wood County Reading Council (29 years)
Lois Meadows, President
Mason County Reading Council (22 years)
Shawn Sergent, President
Marshall County Reading Council (17 years)
Jennifer Lipinski and Mary Kay Wensyel, Co-Presidents
Webster Highlander Reading Council (15 years)
Leslie Markle, President
Brooke County Reading Council (11 years)
Sharon Cuomo, President
Nicholas County Reading Council (3 years)
Tony Nichols, President
WVRA Honor Presidents 2015 - 2016
The West Virginia Reading Association presents a prestigious state award to recognize presidents
who provide exemplary service to their local council, community, state association, and IRA.
Barbour County Reading Council
Moke Post, President
Brooke County Reading Council
Sharon Cuomo, President
Early Literacy Special Interest Council
Karen Ashbrook, President
Greenbrier County Reading Council
Ann Dever, President
Harrison County Reading Council
Chrisanne Diaz, President
Jefferson County Reading Council
Sue Moore, President
Kawawha County Reading Council
Barbara Jones, President
Marion County Reading Council
Amanda Cayton and Amy Merrill, Co- Presidents
Marshall County Reading Council
Mary Kay Wenysel, Co-President
Mason County Reading Council
Shawn Sergent, President
Mercer County Reading Council
Melissa Boothe, President
Nicholas County Reading Council
Tony Nichols, President
Roane County Reading Council
Brenda Chadwell, President
Wood County Reading Council
Lois Meadows, President
West Virginia Writing Exchange
Jan McNeel, Co-President
Kathy Snyder, Co-President
*Presidents listed are those who were in office when the award was received
Congratulations to All!