The second annual Heart of Education Banquet had a couple of things in common with last year's inaugural event.
Both were postponed from their originally scheduled date due to inclement weather and both honored a well-deserving family with the Heart of Education Award. The banquet and award ceremony were held Saturday night and was sponsored by the McDonald County Schools Foundation.
This year's honorees are the family of Clifford and Susie Thornton. The Thorntons have been instrumental in the formation of the McDonald Schools Foundation and faithful in their support of the Foundation and the McDonald County School District.
Clifford and Susie were married Aug. 25, 1962, in Jay, Okla. They have three children, Mike and wife, Angie; Suzanne Schmit and husband, Tim; and, Matt; and seven grandchildren, Reid, Wade and Hanna Schmit and Caleb, Kelsey, Emily and Zoe Thornton.
Clifford attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He first majored in education and taught for two years before going back to school for years to study pharmacy. Susie attended Northeastern Oklahoma University in Tahlequah where she majored in education. She then taught for seven years.
On Oct. 1, 1978, the couple purchased the Rexall Drug Store in Noel from Paul Howarth. They have lived in McDonald County since that time.
Mike followed in his dad's footsteps and became a pharmacist. He returned to Noel from college where the father and son worked together for a few years before Mike started Mustang Drug in Anderson.
Clifford and Susie Thornton retired in 2008 when they sold the pharmacy.
Suzanne is the school nurse at Noel and Matt is a college professor and will begin teaching at Drake University this fall.
It was the work of Matt during his tenure as executive director of the McDonald County Community Development Council that led to the formation of the McDonald County Schools Foundation. Mike currently serves as board president for the Foundation. Suzanne is an active supporter of McDonald County School extracurricular and sports activities.
The award was presented to the Thorntons by Randy Smith, secretary of the foundation.
"It's a real pleasure to present this award to the Thornton family," Smith said. "As a former teacher and administrator in the district, I have had the opportunity to know the Thorntons. Cliff and Susie instilled the importance of education to their children and it still carries on to this day through their grandchildren.
"Suzanne is not only just a nurse, but a nurse helping our kids in our schools. I had the pleasure of having Matt in class -- and it was a pleasure Matt -- and later on working with him on the Community Development Council working on the bond issues and establishing the Foundation. Mike was also in my class. Twenty plus years ago I gave him a "Terrific Tiger" award. You were runner-up Matt. Since the inception of the Foundation, Mike has served as our board president and done a wonderful job.
"The whole family -- spouses and kids -- have just been great. We are fortunate to have them. It is my pleasure to present the Thornton family the Heart of Education Award."
Speaking on behalf of the family was Cliff Thornton.
"This exceeds anything we would have ever hoped to receive," he said. "We feel humbled and undeserving. There is not much I can add to what has been said. So, just thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We believe firmly in the Foundation and will continue to support it. Thank you."
The family also received resolutions from the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate and a plaque with remarks made by U.S. Congressman Billy Long that are now part of the Congressional Record.
The event included entertainment by the McDonald County High school Jazz Band and a humorous interpretation by Kayla Reece, of the MCHS drama department.
Other student showcases included exhibits from the industrial tech department, art department, JROTC program, FACS department, business department, vocational agriculture department and the after school program.
The meal was prepared by the ProStart culinary students at McDonald County High School.
Frank Woods, vice president of the Foundation, began the program with an overview of the Foundation and its accomplishments since it was organized in 2008.
He said that $67,500 in scholarships have been awarded to graduates of McDonald County High School and over $48,000 in grants have been presented to teachers since the inception of the Foundation. In addition, the Foundation has supplied all types of equipment and supplies throughout the district.
Woods said the Foundation plans to award $20,000 in scholarships and $7,000 in grants this year.
Community on 03/25/2015