Lifetime Achievement Award
Life Achievement Awards are given to those
who have shown distinguished service. This award is given to those who have
given outstanding service to children, by promoting their well-being and being
an advocate for them in multiple avenues. It was our goal, although difficult,
to briefly describe the traits that make them deserving of this Award.
Martha Reese
There is always one person in every school who touches the lives of children
and never seeks praise or recognition. This teacher with a cheerful smile and
wonderful outlook on life makes each child feel special as she develops a
sincere relationship with them. Every morning, she greets her students at the door, and when they leave, hugs each one and tells
them that she loves them. With almost 30 years of dedicated service, she
contributes to each child realizing their full potential. Encouraging them to
dream with their eyes wide open she instills that nothing is impossible. She believes that life is not measured by the number of
breaths that we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Her
love for children and teaching make Mrs. Martha Reese truly deserving of the
Tennessee PTA Life Achievement Award.
David Featherston
With an extraordinary list of duties and a busy schedule, one would think that
our resident plant manager would be hard to find. However Mr. Featherston has
made it a point to be our “man on campus”, right where we need him, and willing
to help. His green truck is an icon in the parking lot often the first to
arrive and the last to leave. Mr. Featherston, with a true devotion to
maintaining and improving the physical building, has yet a more noticeable
attentiveness to the children at Crosswind. Being on call for the
administration, parents and most importantly the students, Mr. Featherston
doesn’t say no to moving boxes for a mom, killing spiders for a teacher or
providing comfort for a child. Gentle, kind and inspiring, he quickly becomes a
grandparent figure to the students. Parents become acquainted with the
assistance he gives to make all the special days and events at Crosswind work smoothly. He often times sets up or tears down without others even aware
of extra work done. His nomination came prior to experiencing the loss of his
son. The outpouring of concern and love from everyone at Crosswind and missing
his presence for even a few days was further confirmation that this award was
well deserved. Whether as a musician for the Crosswind Diva’s, a lovely assistant to local magician, resident gardener, furniture
repairman or a shoulder to lean on David Featherston, we are proud to show our
love for you with a Tennessee PTA Life Achievement Award.
Jessica Starr
Active, involved and dedicated are just a few words that come to mind when we
think of our next recipient. With organizational skills, a willingness to
serve, and a dedication to school and community she has become an inspiration
to us all. She became an asset to the Crosswind family in 1999. Three years
later she began five years of devoted service to the PTA. In conjunction with
her countless hours fulfilling her duties with the PTA, she devotes time and effort
to the education of children with her help in the classrooms as well as serving
the Shelby County Council. However our recipient’s true character is shown by
her greater devotion to family. Whether as chauffeur to school functions,
cheerleader for sons’ sports, caregiver for grandmother, or supportive wife to
her husband it is obvious to others that her family comes first. It is our honor and privilege to present Crosswind’s PTA President,
Jessica Starr with a Tennessee PTA Life Achievement Award.
