Attorney Joe Barlow walks off stage with his wife, Jeanette, after being named Clear Creek ISD Secondary Volunteer of the Year for his work with Clear Horizons Early College High School and its principal, Dr. Brett Lemley.
By Mary Alys Cherry
Attorneys are rarely surprised. In fact, they prize themselves on never being surprised by their clients or the opposition.
But Joe Barlow was surprised at the Clear Creek ISD Community Partnership Breakfast at Space Center Houston, when he was named recipient of the Secondary Volunteer of the Year Award for all his work over the years in making CCISD a better school district, in always lending a hand where needed and, in particular, at Clear Horizons Early College High School.
“I wondered why my wife was getting up so early,” he quipped, as Jeanette Barlow joined him on stage as he thanked the district for the honor. He called it the greatest honor he had ever received.
The yearly event honors the many volunteers who work tirelessly to make Clear Creek ISD one of the best large school districts in the State of Texas.
It was a morning of many honors:
- The Clear Lake Area Chamber was named 2014 Community Partner of the Year for its long years of work with the school district and its many years of hosting the New Teacher Luncheon each summer. “We are so pleased to honor and call special attention to this true champion of education,” CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith told the crowd of 300. “The Clear Lake Chamber has an acute awareness of the critical role education plays in a community’s quality of life – and all that they do reflects that belief.”
- State Rep. John Davis was presented a hand-crafted plaque by CCISD Construction Technology Students for his role in the Legislative fight to pass House Bill 5, which cuts back on the number of tests given students each year and also loosens the graduation requirements so students interested in a technology path – and desperately needed to help solve the skilled worker shortage — can take courses more fitting to their interests than the courses that were required to graduate.
- Laura Varley, who’s always glad to help out at Hyde Elementary School, was honored as the Elementary Volunteer of the Year.
- Weber Elementary School was crowned the Volunteer Champion Campus as it logged the most volunteer hours in CCISD this school year. Principal Teresa Snider and Weber’s volunteer of the year Jennifer Sorsby accepted the trophy.
- The Clear Creek High Chamber Singers, who were cited for their talents and entertained the breakfast crowd before a district update by CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith.
