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SWOOPE, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Waynesboro Public Schools community received a special 11th Dawbarn Education Award Wednesday night, recognizing the teachers, staff, first responders and neighbors who helped protect students and support families following the Sept. 2 shooting at Westwood Hills Elementary School.
The surprise award was presented by Dr. Eric Bond, former Augusta County Public Schools superintendent and Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge board member, during the annual Dawbarn Education Awards celebration at Valley Mills Farm.
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Cassell accepted the award on behalf of the school community and the city’s first responders, many of whom attended the ceremony.
Unlike the 10 individual awards presented during the evening, the special trophy recognized the broader community. It was engraved with the words, “For the preparedness and valor that protects our schools and community.”
The presentation was an emotional moment for attendees, including Cassell and Bond.
“It’s tough to talk about,” Cassell said. “The support of the community was just incredible, not just on that day, but in the weeks after.”
Cassell said the school community continues to heal and recover, while still receiving support from first responders, police, neighbors and organizations throughout the region.
“The outreach has been incredible,” he said.
The award also included a $10,000 grant to Waynesboro Public Schools to help strengthen emergency preparedness and school security. The funding was made possible by Kim Arehart, owner of Kline’s Dairy Bar, through the Kline’s Ice Cream Community Fund at the Community Foundation.
Arehart said she wanted to recognize the school system’s response to the incident and help prepare it for future emergencies.
“I wanted to support our community,” Arehart said. “I think education is so important in our school system. I wanted to recognize them and help them with the needs that they have.”
The special recognition capped an evening honoring 10 educators from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County for their contributions to local schools.
“The evening that we get together for the Dawbarn Education Awards for me is joy personified,” said Dan Layman, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. “It celebrates all that is good within this community, and we need to do this as often as we can.”
The awards were established in 1992 by Community Foundation founder H. Dunlop “Buz” Dawbarn, who believed education should be the cornerstone of a thriving society. They recognize educators who go beyond their regular responsibilities to make a lasting difference in their school communities.
“Every year, I get to thank people who teach our children, inspire them, lead them and love them,” said Miriam Burrows, director of educational programs at the Community Foundation. “Teachers deserve to know how deeply their community values them.”
Since the program began, 307 individuals have received Dawbarn Education Awards, with more than $2.3 million awarded.
The 2026 Waynesboro Public Schools recipients were Wenonah Elementary School Principal Abby Arey, William Perry Elementary School kindergarten teacher Sarah Hinkle and William Perry Elementary School counselor Brandon Poole. Cassell presented their awards.
Augusta County Public Schools recipients included Buffalo Gap Latin teacher Rena Collins, Stuarts Draft Elementary special education instructional assistant Sarah Kite and North River special education teacher Jennifer Palaskey. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Troxell presented their awards.
The Staunton City Schools recipients were Staunton High School counselor Amanda Francis, Arthur R. Ware Elementary School teacher Karen Grady, Thomas McSwain special education teacher Brittany Harton and Shelburne Middle School Principal Lisa Warren. Superintendent Dr. Eric Irizarry presented their awards.
