April 20, 2018
A Granbury High School student and three Granbury ISD employees were recognized for their personal achievements by the Granbury Masonic Lodge No. 392 during a presentation at the Granbury ISD school board meeting on April 16, 2018.
Representing the Masonic Lodge, Gary Merritt praised the four recipients of the Mirabeau B. Lamar Award. Named for one of the presidents of the Republic of Texas, the honor is bestowed on outstanding achievers who have overcome personal difficulties or hardships as well as those who accept the challenge to excel in helping make our communities, state, and nation stronger. Merritt was joined for the presentation by Michael Cote and Lee Shifflett.
Honored were Granbury High School student Jonathan Sutton, GHS teacher Angela Jumper, Granbury Middle School teacher Donna Dumas, and Mambrino School campus secretary Crystal Cote.
Sutton was nominated by several GISD staff members. He has overcome several obstacles in his life but has shown determination and resilience in spite of those difficulties. Sutton is active in the Granbury Church of Christ youth group as well as GHS football and powerlifting teams. After embracing a positive relationship with a mentor while attending Granbury Middle School, Sutton immersed himself in a family atmosphere that has afforded him many opportunities.
Jumper is a GHS career and technical education teacher leading classes on principles of information technology and computer programming while also sponsoring a robotics team and the yearbook staff. Co-worker Allison Allen praised Jumper for overcoming personal and family challenges to earn a college degree in computer science from Tarleton State University. “She is supportive of her students and is always looking for opportunities for them to succeed,” Allen said. “And her handicap? Not having enough hours in the day to work on computers and serve others – whenever possible!”
A GMS teacher, Dumas started the campus AVID program with a high level of achievement in just its first year. She also has become the sole caregiver for her aging parents. “Ms. Dumas is an altruistic and authentic person of great integrity,” said school counselor Nova Dea, who called her an “inspiration” and a “strong, determined woman” making a difference in the world.
Cote, the new campus secretary at Mambrino, was nominated by teacher Gaylene Carpenter, who worked with Cote in special education at the school. “She served all of her students with kindness and respect,” Carpenter said. “Her work ethic and attitude are positive, and she puts 110% into what she does.” Community service at her church and with charitable organizations were also cited by Carpenter, who commended Cote for serving as an ambassador family for the March of Dimes.
Merritt praised each honoree for their accomplishments, as he awarded each of them a certificate and medal.
