Cumberland County Schools (CCS) is proud to announce the January recipients of two prestigious awards. Kathryn Brandon, the lead salary analyst in CCS Human Resources, has been honored with the Extra Mile Award for her exceptional commitment to advancing the CCS mission. Qu'Derrick Covington, executive director of The Tulsa Initiative, has received the Committed Community Support Award for his outstanding contributions to the community.
Extra Mile Award Recipient: Kathryn Brandon
The Extra Mile Award celebrates employees who consistently demonstrate exceptional performance and inspire others to achieve excellence.
Kathryn Brandon, who is January’s recipient, was selected for her unwavering dedication to helping others in her daily work. Known for her thoughtful support, Brandon is quick to check in on colleagues and offer encouragement whenever it’s needed, exemplifying the values of care and collaboration that CCS strives to uphold.
Cheryl White, a payroll technician in CCS Business Operations, commented on how Brandon goes 'above and beyond.' "She (Kathryn) goes out of her way to help others every day," said White. "She is truly inspirational and deserves this recognition."
Extra Mile Award Winner Kathryn Brandon (left) Celebrates With CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. (right)
Committed Community Support Award Recipient:Qu'Derrick Covington
The Committed Community Support Award honors an individual or group for their dedicated and selfless contributions to the school system.
January's winner, Qu'Derrick Covington, has given back to his community and helped to transform student lives. He organizes groups of community members who are alumni of various local high schools to help expose students to invaluable resources, influential leaders and expansive networks within the community. Covington organized the 2nd Annual Fayetteville Youth Summit in May and the Male Mixer, held last fall, empowering hundreds of students in just two years. These events provided sessions on self-identity, diversity, personal branding, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and innovation.
According to CCS' Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services Melody Chalmers McClain, Covington's unwavering support and commitment have made a lasting impact on the lives of youth, empowering them to reach new heights.
Committed Community Support Award Winner Qu'Derrick Covington (right) Celebrates with Associate Superintendent of Communications and Community Engagement, Dr. Lindsay Whitley (Left)
Nominate An Award Recipient
Any permanent full-time or part-time employee is eligible for the Extra Mile Award. Submit your nominations by the 10th of each month here. For more information about CCS’ Extra Mile Award, visit the CCS Human Resources website.
The Committed Community Support Award is for mentors, businesses, community partners, parents and volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to assist schools and help students succeed. Submit your nominations by the 10th of each month here.
A selection committee reviews nominations on a monthly basis and selects one winner for each award. Winners are recognized during the Cumberland County Board of Education’s regular monthly meetings from October through May.