From left, Amy Granthan, Molly Webb and Opal Matthews, finalists for an award recognizing non-certified Colquitt County School System employees, display trophies they won during a Thursday ceremony.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — On Thursday, Colquitt County Schools honored its workers who toils in the trenches — or more accurately non-certified employees who work behind the wheel of a bus or keep computers computing — with Okapilco Elementary’s secretary walking away with the top honor.

Molly Webb, a Colquitt County School System employee in her fourth year, was one of 15 employees recognized during an afternoon ceremony at the Colquitt County High campus. That group included a  BRAVO (Balancing Responsibility and Achievement While Valuing Others) Award winner from each school and in maintenance and support services departments.

Joining Webb among the three finalists were paraprofessionals Amy Grantham of Hamilton Elementary, who has been employed with the system for 21 years, and Opal Matthews from W.J. Williams Middle School, an employee of 12 years.

“The 2016 Colquitt County BRAVO Employee of the Year is described by her principal as someone who is thorough, organized, dependable, but most of all trustworthy,” Schools Superintendent Samuel DePaul said after announcing Webb’s name. “She does not leave the job undone. She demonstrates daily her ability to balance responsibility and achievement while valuing others.

“When she takes the reins of responsibility, I know that I can rest knowing that it will be a job well done.”

Each of the 15 winners received $200 from the school system, which will show up in their December paychecks; each finalist will get a total of $400 and Webb a total of $600. Webb also received a $500 check from Altman + Barrett Architects of Valdosta, which has done work for the system in numerous renovation and building projects, including the high school.

Jostens also will award Webb with a ring at no charge.

“It’s a great honor, especially with the team that makes up Okapilco (and) to be selected and among the two finalists,” she said after having her photo taken with the group and the two other finalists.

Webb said that working with students is the highlight of her job.

“Remembering that the students are what it is all about, I try to be the smile, hug or understanding ear to all who enter the doors of Okapilco Elementary. In return, I receive so much more than I could ever give.”

BRAVO is in its 12th year in the school system. It was created to promote the shared values of excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, peer recognition and school spirit, DePaul said. Each nominee prepared information that was reviewed by a committee of school public relations directors from surrounding counties to select the finalists and overall winner.

Rounding out those honored on Thursday were:

• Custodian Mike Freeman from Colquitt Count High.

• Wayne Hendrixson, cafeteria manager at Cox Elementary.

• Doerun Elementary paraprofessional Valerie Bishop.

• Funston Elementary paraprofessional Kim Luke.

• Custodian Daisy Simpson from C.A. Gray Junior High.

• Maintenance technician John Pitts with the Maintenance and Facilities Department.

• Norman Park Elementary paraprofessional Liz Huckaby.

• Anthony Clayton, kitchen assistant at J.M. Odom Elementary.

• Corinthian Grier, computer lab coordinator at Stringfellow Elementary.

• Ocie Florence, custodian at Sunset Elementary.

• Special needs paraprofessional Sherri Sherman with the Program for Exceptional Children.

• R.B. Wright paraprofessional Merita Clark.