MOULTRIE — Colquitt County Schools’ fourth BRAVO award went to Doerun Elementary bus driver Donald Irvin.

“I’m not much of a talker. I want to thank my coworkers, my peers — my friends in the back who nominated me — and my family. This is one of the best things I ever received in my life — and you know, I have received a few things let me tell you,” Irvin said, thanking Doerun Elementary after his recognition Thursday at a celebration hosted by R.B. Wright Elementary.

The BRAVO award, an acronym for Balancing Responsibility and Achievement while Valuing Others, is reserved especially for bus drivers, clerks, custodians, food service workers, instructional providers, maintenance personnel, nurses, paraprofessionals, social workers an technology specialists. To be eligible, nominees must have worked at least three years with Colquitt County Schools, maintained a good attendance record, demonstrated enthusiasm and initiative in job performance and must have an excellent attitude and rapport in the workplace.

Irvin has been employed for 11 years with the school system.

“I want to educate students through travel by helping them to see and realize other societies and how they live and operate,” Irwin said achieving his school’s nomination as a finalist. “I want them to understand life is bigger than their community, and it will require more than the security of their parents’ homes. I see the potential in Colquitt County’s youth, and my goal is that Colquitt County’s youth see their potential too.”

Irwin’s boss Principal Chuck Jones spoke highly of him.

“Donald Irvin is a silent cornerstone in Colquitt County. He is always looking to make things better for the boys and girls. He is a true representative of ‘Packer Pride’ on the job.”

Irvin has a daughter, Latonya Irvin.

Finalists for the BRAVO award were Kelvin Holmes of Funston Elementary and Theresa Singletary of Hamilton Elementary. Holmes is a custodian and has been employed at Funston for six years.

"Mr. Kelvin is willing to go after any task that is set before him, always going over and above his call of duty. He seems to be driven by the opportunity to work and to do for others. There is no doubt Funston School would not be the special place that it is without Mr. Kelvin," Principal Lynn Clark said.

Holmes and his wife, Patricia, have a son, Kelvin Holmes Jr.

Singletary has built a career of nearly three decades at Hamilton. She started there as a paraprofessional then moved on to school food service cashier and has been the secretary/bookkeeper at the school for the past 19 years.

"It is comforting to know than in your office you have a person that is dependable, loyal, trustworthy and very organized. To her I say 'BRAVO' for a job well done and for making my task as an administrator easier," said Principal Brenda DeMott.

She is married to Johnny Singletary and has three children: Turrah Benton, Tina Wilson and Pamela Hunnicutt.

As part of his distinction, Irvin received $600 in BRAVO bucks from the school district, $500 in cash from Altman & Barrett Architects, P.C. of Valdosta and an Employee of the Year ring from Jostens. Finalists Holmes and Singletary received $400 from the district, and the remaining BRAVO nominees were awarded $200 in BRAVO bucks.

There were 12 remaining nominees.

Mary Evelyn Hiers is bookkeeper at Colquitt County High School and has been employed with the school system for 18 years. Terri Causey is special education paraprofessional at Cox Elementary and has been employed there for 13 years. Keena Milligan is school nurse at C.A. Gray Middle School. June Croft is secretary of maintenance and facilities for Colquitt County Schools and has been employed with the district for three and a half years. Denise Pope is social worker at Norman Park Elementary and has been employed with the system for 10 years.

Sheila Brooks is secretary and bookkeeper at J.M. Odom Elementary School and has been employed there for 21 years. Sandra Evans is a paraprofessional at Okapilco Elementary and has been employed there for nine years. Selena Norman is secretary and bookkeeper for the Colquitt County Pre-K Program and has worked for the district for 10 years. Corinthian Grier is a paraprofessional at Stringfellow Elementary and has been employed with the system for three years.

Peggy Dunaway is a paraprofessional at Sunset Elementary and is in her 21st year with Colquitt County Schools. Berri Tatum is a paraprofessional at W.J. Williams Middle School and has worked in that position for nine years. Wayne Hendrixson is cafeteria manager for R.B. Wright Elementary and has been employed with the district for seven years.