News Summary
Julie Kennedy has been honored as the Administrator of the Year for Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, recognized during the annual Employee Awards luncheon. Her career spans 24 years in various roles, significantly impacting the educational community. The event also celebrated the district’s achievement of an A-rating and recognized other outstanding staff members for their contributions to education. The awards emphasize the importance of dedicated leadership and collaboration within the district.
Starkville Honors Julie Kennedy as Administrator of the Year
Starkville – Julie Kennedy has been recognized as the 2025 Administrator of the Year for the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD). This prestigious award was presented during the district’s annual Employee Awards of Excellence luncheon held in May at Blueberry Peace Farm.
The award ceremony was further highlighted by the announcement of SOCSD’s achievement of its first-ever A-rating, as emphasized by Dr. Tony McGee, the district’s Superintendent. This milestone marks a significant accomplishment for the district and underscores the impact of strong leadership within the schools.
Career Highlights of Julie Kennedy
Julie Kennedy, who is set to retire this year after a distinguished 24-year career with SOCSD, has served in several key roles including teacher, assistant principal, and director of the alternative school. She has dedicated 12 years to the role of principal, making a profound impact on the educational community.
Under her leadership, Overstreet Elementary achieved an A-rating in the 2023-2024 school year, the only school in the district to earn this rating. Kennedy’s emphasis on fostering a supportive learning environment and setting high expectations has contributed to the success of both students and teachers alike.
Employee Awards of Excellence Luncheon
The Employee Awards luncheon, supported by Renasant Bank, honored over 80 staff members and parent volunteers, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the educational system. The event also acknowledged 16 staff members entering retirement this year, celebrating their years of service to the district.
Additional Award Winners
At the ceremony, several other outstanding individuals were recognized:
- Shaina Kemp-Jefferson, a 4th-grade math teacher, was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
- Darleen Randle Williams received the 2025 Non-Certified/Classified Personnel of the Year award for her role as a cafeteria cashier and cook.
- Lesley Jones, a 6th-grade counselor, was honored as the 2025 Certified Support Personnel of the Year.
- Ben Carr, a Carpentry and Construction teacher, was honored as the 2025 New Teacher of the Year.
- Parent volunteers Katelyn Wolfe and Lindsay White were recognized as 2025 Parents of the Year for their exceptional leadership in a school improvement project.
In addition, Jennifer Davis, the Director of Choral Activities, received the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) National Citation Award, reinforcing the commitment to excellence in various educational programs.
Throughout the school year, three SOCSD employees also earned their National Board Certification, demonstrating ongoing professional development and dedication to their roles.
Conclusion
The Employee Awards of Excellence luncheon served not only to honor individual achievements but also to showcase the collective efforts of all staff members within the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District. Dr. McGee expressed gratitude to all award recipients and acknowledged the dedicated service of retirees, highlighting their significant contributions to the community and local families.
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Additional Resources
- Starkville Yellow Jackets Honor 2025 District Employees of the Year
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- SOCSD Achieves 30 Awards at Science Fair
- Google Search: Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District
- Record-Breaking Award Season for Jacket Choirs
- Google Scholar: Education Awards
- SOCSD Launches B.U.S Positive Behavior Initiative
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Jennifer Davis Honored with National Citation Award
- Google News: SOCSD Awards
