By Nina Hendricks/Sarah Maples DAR
Susan Cheek is responsible for organizing this tribute and telling us why Joanna Horton is receiving the 2016 Sarah Maples Chapter DAR Community Service Award. Joanna has proven to be an outstanding member of the Scurry-Rosser community with unparalleled dedication to the school district, her church congregation, conservation, cancer fundraising and supporting the local food bank.
She is a professional woman with a full time career, but she has served on the school board for the last four years and has promoted excellence in education, as well as modeling self-sacrifice and service to others. She actively supports the National Honor Society and Student Council in their activities. She organized “Pink Out” each year for cancer awareness and fundraising. She makes sure all cancer survivors are recognized at the game/pep rally and they are given a rose or carnation at the half time balloon release to honor them.
She recently organized a prayer vigil for Coach Bachtel attended by over 300 people, when he was seriously injured at a football game by an out of bounds play that resulted in him being airlifted from the field and the game canceled.
Her tireless energy includes organizing a food drive at the schools for the local food bank. She along with her husband donated a building to her church to form a Samaritan’s closet program where clothes are donated, recycled and made available to the needy in a shopping type environment.
She has taught Junior Church for years, organizes youth spring break trips and sends the Youth Pastor his wife and 4 children on a much needed vacation each year.
She is truly selfless in nature and instills this value to both her students and the community through service to others. She is a true American, philanthropist and selfless leader. Thank you Joanna for giving to others.