Dallas ISD is celebrating National Volunteer Month, which happens during April, by spotlighting volunteers.
At the Dallas ISD Volunteer Recognition Award Ceremony held April 3, more than 100 people saw Shenita Gibbs and Rosa Gomez receive their awards for their work as district volunteer coordinators.
Gibbs won the award for Outstanding Secondary Volunteer Coordinator of the Year and Gomez won Outstanding Elementary Volunteer Coordinator of the Year.
Gibbs, a James Madison High School alum who was part of the school’s Key Club and National Honor Society, has served as Madison’s community liaison for 14 years.
While serving as the school’s community liaison, Gibbs turned an old home economics room into a lounge space for parents and volunteers and had a key role in improving student grades by partnering with local organizations, such as Big Brother, Big Sister, to mentor students. Gibbs also facilitates student community service on campus and created a National Academy Foundation advisory board at Madison.
“I love meeting people and wanting them to become a part of Madison as a guest speaker or mentor,” Gibbs said. “I love helping others and watching them grow into good citizens.”
Gomez has served Preston Hollow Elementary School as a parent volunteer for three years; this year was her first as the school’s volunteer coordinator. Also an alum, Gomez attended Preston Hollow as a sixth-grade immigrant student long before she became the volunteer coordinator.
Gomez has worked to improve the image and overall spirit of students, parents and teachers at the school. She helped coordinate the school’s first father-daughter dance and raised money for the school’s “Pennies from the Heart” campaign, which brought in $1,000.
Preston Hollow Principal Tom Brandt said Gomez has had a postivie impact at the campus and has helped students, parents, and staff alike.
“It’s not about me, it’s about ‘we’,” Gomez said. “It’s all about teamwork.”
