Supporting stars

They may not have that every-day classroom experience, but Citrus County School District support workers have the same goal — doing their best to help educate students. Support persons are custodians, mechanics, bus drivers and secretaries. Every year the district names its support person of the year and announces the winner the same night as the teacher of the year, during the Galaxy of Stars banquet. It’s Thursday evening at Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club in Citrus Hills. Here are this year’s support persons of the year from their schools or work places:

Special to the Chronicle

Soloman “Tres” Banda III CREST School, teacher’s assistant.

Special to the Chronicle

Denise Barber Withlacoochee Technical Institute, secretary.

Special to the Chronicle

Rachel Bender Citrus Springs Middle School, teacher’s aide/ receptionist.

Special to the Chronicle

Dennis Bidlack Citrus Springs Elementary School, custodian.

Special to the Chronicle

Michael Billings Maintenance department, facilities specialist.

Special to the Chronicle

Jackie Blersch Central Ridge Elementary School, health room attendant.

Special to the Chronicle

Deloris Chesteen Crystal River bus compound, bus operator.

Special to the Chronicle

Teresa Corradino Renaissance Center, teacher’s assistant.

Special to the Chronicle

TammyLynn Davis Inverness Middle School, technology support specialist.

Special to the Chronicle

Michael Fisher Inverness Primary School, custodian.

Special to the Chronicle

Frances Grady Citrus High School, student services secretary.

Special to the Chronicle

Christine Graham Floral City Elementary, food services assistant.

Special to the Chronicle

Phyllis Hicks District Services Center, switchboard operator.

Special to the Chronicle

Angelia Hopkins Rock Crusher Elementary School, ESE para- professional.

Special to the Chronicle

Theresa Cain Crystal River High School, ESE teacher’s aide.

Special to the Chronicle

Jennifer Paugh Crystal River Middle School, student services secretary.

Special to the Chronicle

Maureen Paveglio Lecanto Primary School, paraprofessional.

Special to the Chronicle

Melissa Payne Forest Ridge Elementary School, EDE teacher’s aide.

Special to the Chronicle

Abby Perrone Pleasant Grove Elementary School, media aide.

Special to the Chronicle

Barbara Sayers Homosassa Elementary School, paraprofessional/ front desk.

Special to the Chronicle

Richard Schortenmeyer Lecanto Middle School, custodian.

Special to the Chronicle

Joni Seagreaves Information Services, project leader/ business systems.

Special to the Chronicle

Jenny Lou Wilson Crystal River Primary School, paraprofessional.

Special to the Chronicle

Sandi Wright Lecanto High School, office clerk/secretary.

Special to the Chronicle

Nancy Zuppinger Hernando Elementary School, ESE para- professional.