HIPPY Heroes 2009

: 2009 HIPPY Hero The Honorable Sue Bell Cobb
Judge Sue Bell Cobb has worked tirelessly to expand HIPPY statewide. She is responsible for getting the community energized in Monroeville to start a HIPPY program, and she was instrumental to the program starting in Evergreen, her home town. Additionally, she speaks often about her belief in HIPPY, and her advocacy is a big part of HIPPY's growth.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Kevin Cook
Kevin Cook is a Baldwin County businessman that realizes the need for the HIPPY program to strengthen local families and prepare preschool children for the educational experience. He has worked diligently since February 2008 to get the Baldwin County HIPPY program funded and started. The program started serving 15 families in September 2009.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Gloria A. J. Jemison
Mrs. Jemison exhibits the qualities of a "HIPPY Hero" by her dedication to children and their needs. She is always willing to lend a hand regardless of the circumstances. Mrs. Jemison has moved mountains to find space for the Birmingham HIPPY program and took the time to attend local training sessions to learn the nuts and bolts of the program. When a Program Manager was needed, she made it possible! She has demonstrated her staunch support for the HIPPY Program by not just "talking the talk"...but "walking the walk!"

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson is commited to expanding the HIPPY Program to every county in Alabama. As Director of ADECA, he saw to it that Hale County, Coosa County, Tallapoosa, Lauderdale, and DeKalb County had start up funds to begin HIPPY. He believes every county in Alabama should have a strong HIPPY program. As head of ADECA, he supported the formation of the Black Belt commission and its efforts to add HIPPY to all of its counties!

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Sharon Jones - Sharon Jones is active as a volunteer in many organizations in Clarke County. As a member of the Clarke County Development Foundation. She also serves on the HIPPY Advisory Committee as the treasurer/bookkeeper. Mrs. Jones supports the program in many other ways with her talents and is mainly responsible for the preparation and presentation of food for the HIPPY family picnic. Sharon coordinates the HIPPY Graduation reception and her involvement within the county gives the HIPPY program a voice that is heard many times!

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Representative Richard Lindsey - Representative Richard Lindsey was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1983 and has served as chairman of the powerful Education Finance and Appropriations Committee since 2001. Representative Lindsey has received numerous awards during his legislative service, including Legislator of the Year from the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts and the Lifetime Legislative Leadership Award for his work on behalf of Alabama's school children from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. He is a manager of Lindsey Brothers Inc. and is an official or member of the board of directors of several different organizations. Thanks to him, HIPPY has remained in the budget!!

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Mayor Walt Maddox
Mayor Walt Maddox was instrumental in making public the need to provide well for our children. Whenever he had an opportunity to speak, he never failed to voice how the community as a whole benefits from successful children. Through the Task Force, he brought key players to the table to develop a plan of action to support the expansion of our Pre-K programs, pledging resources in dollars, time, and services. The University of Alabama, United Way of Tuscaloosa, Honorable Artur Davis, and numerous community agencies and organizations pledged their support as well. He advocates for quality preschool programs at the local, state, and national levels and recommends prestigious awards recognize our efforts. Mayor Maddox is our biggest fan!

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Dr. Vernet Nettles
Dr. Vernet Nettles is the Federal Programs Director for Montgomery Public Schools. Due to her belief in involving parents and equipping them with the skills they need to prepare their preschoolers for public school success, she found funding to bring all the Montgomery HIPPY AmeriCorps parent educators back to work under Title I. Dr. Nettles includes the HIPPY program in all aspects of MPS activities, and she is a true hero.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Fred Norris - Fred Norris spent ten and a half years in the United States Army and remains in the National Guard Reserves. He was named Soldier of the Year in 2006. Fred is currently the Branch Manager of the Laurel Heights Youth and Adult Services Center where he has worked for fifteen years. Fred serves on the Alexander City Board of Education, the HIPPY Advisory Board and several other local boards. Fred has been married to his wife, Vanessa for twenty six years. They have an eleven year old son, Fredrick.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Dr. Ronald Shum - Dr. Ron Shum did all the legal work to incorporate Springboard Education foundation and paid all fees associated with establishing the 501.C (3). He spent the early years when it was just one employee, Joanne Shum, volunteering as the bookkeeper, secretary, workshop presenter, and doing anything at all that was needed. He worked fulltime for at least three years strictly as a volunteer. He was also the first HIPPY P. Potamus, and accompanied Mrs. Shum all over the state to promote HIPPY. What a HIPPY Hero!

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Joey Varner - Joey Varner is a Conecuh County HIPPY Hero because of his unwavering support of HIPPY. From the very beginning he has made home visits, attended HIPPY graduations, and showed his support in every way he could. Mr. Varner wears many hats at the Conecuh County Schools, and in every area of responsibility, he will do what he can to strengthen and expand Conecuh County’s HIPPY Program. He believes that the home is where learning begins, and he recognizes the importance of helping parents support education.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Sherri Wilson - Sherri Wilson is the Director of Alabama PIRC, and she is the grant writer that sees to it that Alabama PIRC gets funded annually. She tirelessly promotes HIPPY through her training workshops as well as her PR work with Alabama PTA. Sherri makes things happen through her tireless energy and boundless optimism.

: 2009 HIPPY Hero Donice Wood - As manager of the Alabama Power Company offices in both Grove Hill and Jackson, Donice Wood volunteers as the Director for the HIPPY Clarke County program and President of the HIPPY Advisory Committee. Mrs. Wood seeks funding for the program in many various ways , including letter writing to private foundations and attending informational meetings to share HIPPY information. As director, she lends her support by assisting with group meetings, family picnics and graduations at the various HIPPY events.