PBOC hosts PBES faculty for appreciation luncheon
BY MARY CLAUS Special to the News

From left to right: PBES Principal Jeff Castleberry, with Teachers and Staff Members Debbie Campenella, Pam Speer, Jackie Henderson and Shelby Smith.

Supporting youth and those who help with our area's precious children is one of the ways Pensacola Beach Optimist Club (PBOC) excels, and last week, PBOC sponsored the annual Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES) Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon at Cabana Cafe on the beach.

The Optimists carried on their "Friends of Youth" theme by treating the teachers and staff to a delicious fresh tomato and chicken salad lunch, fresh breads and beverages, and the biggest white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies you could ever imagine.

May 22, the day of the appreciation luncheon, was the last day for the students at PBES and the teachers were celebrating the end of yet another great year of high test scores, wonderful experiences, and successful education of the K-5 students.

Debbie Campenella, Optimist and PBES teacher, made a triple-toast, "To the best little school around, the best educational staff to work with, and to the Pensacola Beach Optimist Club: the best little club around." Spirits were high and the PBOC members present truly enjoyed getting to talk individually with the teachers of the school as well as Principal, Jeff Castleberry, who made a speech about his gratitude to PBOC for the "Just say No to Drugs- -Yes to Love" poster contest, the Oratorical Contest, and the fundraising efforts which the club conducts year after year to help the school remain open, as it is a charter school which does not receive governmental funding and relies on community support to operate.

Chairwoman of the event, Bettie Lee Sundstrom, did an outstanding job planning the project for the 17 teachers and staff in attendance, as well to the Optimist members present. Sundstrom made floral bouquets in brightly colored neon planters for each PBES teacher and staffer.

The slate for the 2007-2008 Pensacola Beach Optimist Club is President: Mary Claus; Vice-President: Karen Jurkowich; Vice President: Scott Neal; Secretary: Bettie Lee Sundstrom; Treasurer: Dave Sundstrom; Board Members: Joe Woodall, Bev Dufrechou, Chuck Randle, Louise Greenly, Rick Sundstrom, Marilyn Sundstrom & Sandi Johnson.

Their term shall begin Sept. 1.