Durant High School PTSA volunteers Mary VanDeGrift and Madeleine Landau thought they were attending a typical end of the year meeting Thursday, May 21.
They were in for a treat — a barbecue-flavored one.
Led by Irv Dupre, the current PTSA president, the other members of PTSA joined forces with popular chain Sonny’s BBQ to plan a small surprise party for the two women, who were awarded PTSA Volunteers of the Year. Sonny’s catered the ceremony as part of its Random Acts of BBQ program.
“Certain members of our board agreed that this would be a wonderful thing,” Dupre said. “We’re so pleased to be a part of it.”
Sonny’s BBQ began Random Acts of BBQ to recognize those who dedicate their time to benefit the community. Recipients, like Landau and VanDeGrift, are surprised with a catered BBQ feast, as they were at Durant High School. The recipient’s families were also in attendance.
Landau serves as the corresponding secretary for PTSA and helped bring the Reflections program to Durant. Reflections encourages students to become involved in the arts outside of school through music, creative writing and other activities. Through the program, Durant students have entered multiple contests and taken home numerous awards in the creative fields, including five creative writing awards for a Reflections prompt, “The World Would Be A Better Place If…”
Landau’s daughter, Jennifer, will be graduating from Durant this year. Although her time as secretary is coming to an end, Landau will still continue to serve as the Reflections coordinator next year.
Landau also works with Franci Dupre, Durant’s college and career counselor, with students who are applying for scholarships.
Landau was shocked at the gesture from the PTSA, but grateful.
“I’m overwhelmed and totally surprised and extremely blessed by these wonderful people,” she said at the party.
The other recipient of the award, VanDeGrift, serves as the PTSA vice president of volunteers. VanDeGrift’s daughter, Amery, is a junior at Durant. VanDeGrift is responsible for bringing in other volunteers to the PTSA.
According to Dupre, the organization has grown to over 500 members.
VanDeGrift is also known as “Sno Cone Mary” among the other PTSA members for her fundraising efforts. The money she raises included mini-grants for teachers and scholarships for graduating Durant seniors.
Other PTSA volunteers say VanDeGrift has positive attitude at Durant events.
Like Landau, VanDeGrift had no idea that she was being honored and was surprised to find out she was chosen as a recipient for the award.
“I was totally shocked,” she said.
In addition to Volunteer of the Year, the PTSA also recognizes Teacher of the Month and Student of the Month, and works to raise scholarship funds for students.
During the surprise dinner, Dupre was presented with a gift, and both of the award recipients were presented with trophies. Landau and VanDeGrift plan on remaining involved in PTSA through the end of this year and next year.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
