she can learn a lot about students and their families during that visit.

Parrott continues that relationship by attending at least one extracurricular event for each student dur-ing the school year.

As an ExCel award recipient, Parrott received a golden apple trophy — which she jokingly kissed dur-ing the ceremony — and $1,000 from LG&E/KU.

She will also attend a black-tie banquet with other winners in September.

Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele proclaimed May 8 as “Excellence in teaching and Ruthie Parrott” day.

“This will be Mrs. Parrott Day today and forever in Oldham County, he said, eliciting “Ohhhhs” from envi-ous students.

Will Wells, incoming superintendent, also presented a commendation from State Rep. David Osborne and Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo.

Wells said he was honored to present the award because he has noticed Parrott’s dedication since meeting her several years ago during a leadership program.

“I’ve long been impressed with her and her drive to be excellent in all that she does,” he said.

The celebration ended with two musical perfor-mances.

Former student Jennifer Stekardis played Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” on the piano in Parrott’s honor.

Then, Parrott’s current students danced flash mob-style while two students, Emma Fawbush and Makena Brown, sang their own lyrics about Parrott to the tune of Hot Chelle Ray’s “Tonight, Tonight.”

The song included praise for Parrott’s smiles and laughter — and her penchant for Diet Coke.

Her husband, Richard, and son, Anderson, attended the presentation, along with her parents.

She attended Georgetown College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 2003, and the University of Louisville, where she earned her mas-ter’s degree in 2005.

Parrott also received a 2012 Pyramid Award from the Oldham County Educational Foundation as part of a group. Parrott and the school’s other fifth-grade teachers created a cookbook to help students apply decimal and fraction skills. Proceeds from selling the cookbook were donated to charity.

Parrott credits her colleagues and students for mak-ing her a better teacher.

“All of you guys are amazing,” she said. “Goshen wouldn’t be the amazing school that it is without every single one of you guys sitting out there.”

Email us about this story at: tharris@oldhamera.com.

The Oldham Era / Thursday, May 17, 2012 A4 / N E W S

We are inspired by the compassion and determination

of our nurses to always do the right thing for patients,

to support their colleagues and to eagerly grow through

continual learning.

NORTON AUDUBON HOSPITAL • NORTON BROWNSBORO HOSPITAL

NORTON HOSPITAL • NORTON SUBURBAN HOSPITAL

KOSAIR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL • KOSAIR CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER – BROWNSBORO

WE CONGRATULATE OUR

2012 NURSES OF THE YEAR

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR NURSES FOR MAKING US REMARKABLE

SHEILA WALTER, R.N.NORTON AUDUBON HOSPITAL

WHITNEY MOISA, R.N.NORTON BROWNSBORO HOSPITAL

SEEMA KULKARNI, R.N.NORTON HOSPITAL

GRACITA TORIO DIZON, R.N.NORTON SUBURBAN HOSPITAL

MARY JO VEIRS, R.N.KOSAIR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

DENISE CONWAY, R.N.KOSAIR CHILDREN’S MEDICAL

CENTER – BROWNSBORO

CHERYL LEATHERS, R.N.NORTON CANCER INSTITUTE

JAY SHREVE, R.N.NORTON CLINICAL AGENCY

PAMELA WOOD, R.N.NORTON PHYSICIAN SERVICES

MARY RUTH FRENCH, R.N.FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE

OFFICE OF CHURCH AND

HEALTH MINISTRIES

TeacherContinued from A2

But after becoming a three-time All-American and placing third in the NCAA national championship meet in 2007, Korir decided to try running professionally.

He first tackled the marathon in 2008 at Chicago and was denied entry into the elite field.

“That man looked me in the eye and said I was too slow,” Korir said. “And I told him he could not determine my future for me.”

Korir told students about how he started five minutes behind the elite field, giving those men a mile-long head start.

And Korir caught them.

At that race, he overcame starting from the back to place fourth, secur-ing his place in the elite field from then on.

Not only did he prove officials wrong at that race, Korir told students they offered him an appearance fee to return to the race last year.

He ran a 2:06:15 that day, placing fourth.

Korir used his running experi-ences as a way to show students they can overcome challenges in their own lives.

And, he said, they should feel blessed for all the things they do have, because many people in Kenya are not so fortunate.

Korir is currently hoping to make the Olympic team to run the 10,000-meter race in London for Kenya — although he said if his American citizenship is final-ized in time, he’ll compete for the United States.

The U.S. will hold its track and field Olympic Trials races in June. Kenya chooses its athletes via a committee selection.

Korir’s wife, Tarah, who also ran for U of L, is hoping to make the team for Canada, her home country.

Email us about this story at: tharris@oldhamera.com.

RunnerContinued from A2

OLDHAM’S FUTURE FARMERS

Student-led greenhouse open for business

The Oldham County FFA Chapter operates a greenhouse at Oldham County High School that will be open through mid-June. Students have raised a variety of plants, including vegetables, annuals and perennials. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Proceeds from the greenhouse benefit the FFA program. Above, OCHS seniors Dylan Embry, Korbin, Lindebrekke, Jake Best, Kyle Harmon, OCHS alum

Calynn Best and seniors Jake George and Shelby Rush. Students at OCHS raise 8,000 to 10,000 plants annually as a fund-raiser for the FFA, starting the process near Valentine’s Day.

–Jacquelyn Hack

Before the start of the

school year, Parrott

schedules an in-home

visit with each of her

students.

She can learn a lot

about students and

their families during

that visit. And she

continues that rela-

tionship by attending

at least one extracur-

ricular event for each

student during the

year.

U of L gradu-

ate Wesley

Korir won

the Boston

Marathon

and hopes to

compete in

the London

Olympics.