Celebration of Excellence Honors 18

Parents of Public Schools of Syracuse is recognizing local teachers, volunteers, students and administrators at their annual Celebration of Excellence. Syracuse City School District Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras will be the guest speaker at the event, which is being held at Syracuse Stage on May 30th.

Among those being honored is Marjorie Carter, this year’s Ficchi Award winner. Carter, who began her career in 1950, was the Syracuse City School District’s first African-American teacher. During her career she served as president of the Syracuse Teachers Association and retired as an instructional specialist in 1990.

Carter is active in the community and has served as a board member for the International Center of Syracuse and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. She was vice president of education for the Syracuse Federation of Women’s Clubs and has been a member of Syracuse Links and CNY Business and Professional Women.

Also being honored are Sanadra Aberdeen, a parent and co-president of the Clary Magnet PTO; Julie Lytle, co-president of the Clary Magnet PTO; Patricia Acee, Health Careers secretary at Henninger High School; Arafat Alshegaa, a student at Henninger High School; Mike Behnke, community support; Dudley Breed, a parent from Nottingham High School; Jody Burnash, a teacher at Nottingham High School; Chadwick Curtis, a student at Nottingham High School; Todd and Meghan Doss, parents from Meachem Elementary School; Jimmie Jackson, a volunteer at Ed Smith School; Sophia Kinne, a student at Clary Magnet; Pamela Laffer, a teacher at H.W. Smith school; Donna Mullett, a teacher at Seymour Dual Language Academy; Kerri Raissian, community support through McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center; Walt Shepperd, community support through the Media Unit; Joyce Suslovic, a teacher at Henninger High School and Margaret Wilson, principal at Elmwood Elementary School.