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Retiring Region 12 director honored

Texas House of Representatives Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts recognized Education Service Center Region 12 Executive Director Tom Norris for his dedication to public education in Texas on April 4 on the House floor.

Norris will retire in June after 13 years at the center and 35 years serving in education. He joined ESC Region 12 as executive director in 1998, after serving as interim superintendent and superintendent of Round Rock ISD for five years.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, Norris pursued his master’s and doctorate degrees in educational administration at Baylor University.

Norris also has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent and interim superintendent, working in the Midway, Temple, Milford, La Marque and Round Rock school districts.

Jerry Maze, associate executive director for administrative leadership and business services, has been approved by Scott to be named executive director for ESC Region 12.

After retiring, Norris will remain connected to the field of education as executive director of the newly formed MoveLearningForward Foundation created by Compass Learning in Austin. He will continue to reside in McGregor with wife, Ruth Ann, and serve as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Woodway.

The Norrises have two sons, Brad and Blake.

Education Service Center Region 12 Executive Director Tom Norris (second from right) was honored on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives April 4. With him are (from left) Jerry Maze, associate executive director for administrative leadership and business services; Leslie Bennett, associate executive director for human resources and certification; state Rep. Jim Pitts, Norris’ wife, Ruth Ann; and House Speaker Joe Straus.

Texas House of Representatives photo — Spencer Millsap

Vanguard plants Arbor Day tree on campus

Despite damp weather, Vanguard College Prepa-ratory School students, officials and local dignitaries added a new live oak to the campus during the school’s Arbor Day celebration on April 21. Keep Waco Beautiful selected Vanguard to receive the 2011 Arbor Day tree because of the school’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Members of Vanguard’s Environmental Awareness Club gave a brief program on conservation, and the Texas Forestry Service presented the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA flag to the school.

City of Waco parks and recreation crewmembers presented gold shovels for the ceremonial digging. The Daughters of the American Revolution gave donations for the tree.

In March 2011, the school completed a $2 million renovation project on historic Bostick Hall, formally known as Building 1. The building was converted to be environmentally friendly, and Vanguard expects it to receive LEED certification, a rare honor for a 1930s building. LEED certification is based on energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Sherri Street (left), executive director with Keep Waco Beautiful, helps hold up a Tree City USA flag for the school from the Texas Forestry Service. At right is Waco Mayor Jim Bush, who read a city proclamation.

Bage Anderson photo

Educators Credit Union scholarships

Educators Credit Union presented six $1,500 scholarships to area students at its annual membership meeting March 28. Recipients pictured are (from left) Ryan Fite of Mexia High School, Robert Jackson of A.J. Moore Academy, Alan Turbeville and Nash Turbeville of Rapoport Academy Meyer High School. Not pictured are Kate Harrison of Reicher Catholic High School and Hannah Powers of Midway High. They were chosen based on academic achievements and community involvement.

Photo submitted by Rachel Wilde