By Katie Coseo
Published on November 21, 2007
PJC President Tom Delaino was celebrated as a Communities in Schools champion for his years of dedication to education and students at an awards dinner Nov. 8 at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.
Along with Honor Bell, of Gulf Coast Community Benefits Corporation, and Santa Rosa County Schools Superintendent John Rogers, a letter from U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller recognized Delaino for, “introducing new ideas and perspectives.shaping and constructing new ideas for students.” He also was recognized for his commitment to education, employees, and staff.
Evon Emerson, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, described Delaino in a video created for the event, as a “phenomenal mediator.has a real talent and gift for moving an idea forward.”
Celebrating his accomplishments during his career, Delaino saw the award as “beyond expectation obviously, and very much appreciated.”
“There’s nothing better in life then having a job you love,”Delaino said. “When everyone appreciates what you do it’s just a bonus.”
Delaino plans on retiring as president of Pensacola Junior College after a 35-year career in education. He plans to move with his wife, Francis Carroll, back to his hometown of Cedar Keys.
Delaino is an alumnus of University of Florida. He also served in the U.S. Air Force and became part of the faculty for the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. and later staff member of Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville. He also serves on the board of United Way, Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, Escarosa Regional Workforce Development, Every Child a Reader in Escambia, 2006-07 Chair of the Escambia County United Way Campaign, and as well as Communities in Schools.
Communities in Schools is a 30-year-old national organization whose mission is drop out prevention. The Northwest Florida branch is only two years old and is striving to continue organization goals in helping students choose success by giving students access to basics such as a safe learning environments, and teaching marketable skills to help prepare students for their future.
The organization brings in caring adults from the community who work along with educators to help students. Each student has a special need and the group tries to understand what those needs are and how to use available resources in the community to meet those particular needs in the classroom and even in after-school programs.
By working with faculty, families and officials of the local community, CIS is able to create a better environment and better learning programs to help prevent students from dropping out of school and preparing them for the future.
The lavish fundraiser dinner presented to the honorees was the first annual champion’s dinner in Northwest Florida, organized by Ashley Bodmer, executive director. Bodmer said that proceeds from the dinner will help fund scholarships dedicated in the honorees’ names. Those students who succeed in acquiring these scholarships will also be honored in the spring.