Molly Rice – Durant HS Plant City, FL

Earlier this year The Peter R. Marsh Foundation recognized Molly Rice at Durant HS in Plant City, FL with our Silent Servant Scholarship Award. Our hope is that schools will use the presentation of our Award to create what we call a “teachable moment” that will inspire other students to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from serving others.

We’d now like to thank Tamara Shaw, the Durant Counselor who nominated Molly, and for all that Durant HS is doing to recognize and reward empathy and selfless service in their students. Here is an email we received from Counselor Shaw:

Dear Peter Marsh Foundation –

Just wanted to thank you again for your support of our students! I want to share some of the PR and positive news with you that has come from these awards. Attached is a couple pictures of our principal recognizing Molly Rice and Aidan Welsh in front of our entire school at our first pep rally.

There was a very nice article in our local paper about the scholarship program that was done on Molly and she even received a very nice letter from our local Congressman. We will also recognize Molly at our Senior end of the year awards ceremony.

Thanks again,

Tammy Shaw
DHS Counselor Last Names MO-R

Below is some of what Ms. Shaw wrote about Molly:

“Molly has an incredible servant’s heart and is the epitome of a phenomenal student leader, but rarely gets recognized for all her selfless acts. She serves as a tutor to middle school students, volunteers with the Gowns for Girls, a business providing dresses for girls in need, and with the Beth-el Mission feeding migrant workers and families.

I have gotten to know her quite well both as her counselor the last four years and as her club sponsor. Molly initiated and created the Environmental Club at our school and has been the President for the last two years. In this role she educates fellow students about environmental concerns, works to make us a greener campus, and organizes community clean-ups for our members. @durant_highschool

About Jim Warford

Jim Warford is the author of, The Chemistry of Culture: Strategies You Can Use to Create a Culture of Learning. For 15 years Jim Warford was Senior Advisor and Keynote Speaker for the International Center for Leadership in Education. Jim is an author, speaker, Leadership and Instructional Coach. He was named in March 2003 as Florida’s first Chancellor of K12 Public Schools. He stepped down in September, 2005 to become Executive Director of the Florida Association of School Administrators, representing over 10,000 Florida school leaders. As a Senior Advisor for the International Center for Leadership in Education, he works with states, districts and schools to provide coaching and executive training and support to school leaders and their staffs. As Florida’s Chancellor, he led the creation and state-wide implementation of Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model, FCIM, which resulted in that state’s dramatic gains in student achievement and an 80% reduction in the number low-performing schools. FCIM remains Florida’s required intervention for all low-performing schools. As Superintendent of the Marion County, Florida Public Schools, he first implemented the Continuous Improvement Model district-wide. As a result, school grades went from three “F”, eight “D” and only one “A” school in 1999 to twenty “A”, 16 “B” and no “F” schools in 2003. Under his leadership the high school dropout rate was cut in half. He taught applied technology courses at the high school level for 17 years and created a Computer Graphics/Video Production program that won many national and state awards. He was named Vanguard High School Teacher of the Year three separate times.

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1 Response to Molly Rice – Durant HS Plant City, FL

Joyce Lindsay says:

February 20, 2023 at 8:04 pm

This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sending it to me.

Hugs and love to you and Susan.

Joyce ________________________________