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Clay County issues May proclamations, honors volunteers and announces $60,000 in scholarships from Waste Management
Summary
At the May 13 meeting commissioners approved multiple May proclamations, recognized volunteer achievements and accepted a $60,000 scholarship donation from Waste Management to support local students. Barbara Cornett was named 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
Clay County commissioners used their May 13 meeting to adopt several proclamations, recognize volunteers and accept community gifts and scholarship awards.
Proclamations and recognitions adopted or read into the record included: May as History and Historic Preservation Month (the county and school district partner on educational programs and a self-guided history passport), National Safe Boating Week (proclaimed May 17'23), Memorial Day (proclaimed May 26), National Public Works Week (proclaimed May 18'24), and May as Small Business Month. County staff and outside guests from the Clerk of Court archives, Historic Preservation Board, tourism and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary joined commissioners for the recognitions.
The county also announced volunteer-program statistics and honored nominees. Jason Clark, Community and Social Services operational manager, said 941 volunteers registered countywide over the past year and volunteers logged thousands of hours; commissioners named Barbara Cornett the county's 2024 Volunteer of the Year for more than 100 volunteer hours supporting arts programming at the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center and local libraries.
Waste Management presented the county with a $60,000 commitment in scholarship money for deserving individuals. Company representatives said staff received numerous applications; county staff and Waste Management chose 11 recipients and brought students to the dais for photos. Several scholarship recipients identified themselves at the meeting by name and school: Ryan (W. E. Cherry Elementary), Jack Buckles (Ridgeview High School), Brady Glavin (Clay High School), Alexandra Bennett (Clay High School), Abka Wilson (Clay High School / St. Johns River State College), Darianne Veil (senior), Tyler Collins (Clay High School), Dylan Collins (Clay High School), Danielle Ackerson (Middleburg High School), Kira Slater (Middleburg High School) and Benjamin Mejias (Clay Charter Academy).
Waste Management and county staff said the scholarships are intended to assist with school supplies and extracurricular costs; the company said the donation is part of a long-term partnership with the county. Commissioners also recognized EMS Week and encouraged residents to access veterans services and other county resources noted during the meeting.
No formal policy actions were taken on the proclamations; they were adopted by voice vote as a series of ceremony items.
