Annette Pender Receives Statewide Award for Exemplary Service, Also Named as a National RISE Award Finalist

Annette Pender, School Nutrition Area Manager for the Houston County School District, was recently selected as one of two statewide winners of the Georgia Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. Each year, two outstanding classified employees are chosen for this award recognizing their exemplary service to students in Pre-K through grade 12. Classified employees are those who work in technical services, school nutrition, transportation, custodial services, health services, and other critical roles who support student learning each day.

“Annette has been working with us for 19 years, serving in a variety of roles,” shared Meredith Potter, Director of School Nutrition for the Houston County School District. “She has a heart for students and wants to ensure everyone feels valued and included. Annette will go to any lengths to make students smile. She shows us every day the incredible difference that classified staff can make in the lives of our students. We are so incredibly grateful to have her as a member of our team.”

In addition to receiving Georgia's highest recognition for classified school employees, she was named a national finalist for the U.S. Department of Education's RISE Award, placing her among a select group of five classified school professionals nationwide whose service and leadership exemplify excellence in public education.

To read the complete release, click here.

Houston County STAR Students and Teachers Honored

Houston County High Student Wins County Honors

The Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce and Perry Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) ceremony on Tuesday, January 27. The ceremony recognized STAR Students and Teachers from each high school, and the county winner was announced for the first time.

The 2026 STAR Students and Teachers from the Houston County School District are:

• Houston County High: Michael Do and teacher Jenny Jackson
• Northside High: Mihir Tailor and teacher Sid Littlefield
• Perry High: Sarah Golden and teacher Tiffany Frank
• Veterans High: Annie White and teacher Shawn White
• Warner Robins High: Quinn Hammond and teacher Nicholas Sostillio

Houston County STAR Students and Teachers Honored / Page 2 of 2 Michael Do from Houston County High School earned the highest honor and will each be recognized at the Regional STAR event in March.

To read the complete release, click here.