Helyn Ferlazzo, he principal’s secretary at Mariner High School, was surprised with the School-Related Employee of the Year Award Monday morning after district personnel and some of her fellow co-workers entered her office with a bouquet of flowers and various gifts.
Ferlazzo was left speechless as Board Member Mary Fischer read a list of the many gifts she received for being named the School-Related Employee of the Year.
Ferlazzo admitted that she was nervous and happy all at once Monday morning after everyone entered her office to present the award.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” Ferlazzo said, especially for those who are not educators, but are still a part of the education system. “I really appreciate it.”
Mariner High School Principal Brian Mangan said the award is huge for Mariner High because it highlights the great staff working at the school.
He explained that Ferlazzo was the first person Principal Michael McNerny hired when the high school opened 24 years ago.
“She’s amazing,” he said smiling. “You consider yourself lucky to work with people like that.”
Mangan said when you hear “go see Helyn or Mrs. Ferlazzo,” it means a great deal because she takes a special interest in taking care of everyone.
Ferlazzo is also very involved at the school due to her being a member of the Silver Magic Marching Band Booster organization, the editor of the parent newsletter, the designer and salesperson of Triton Spirit Wear and co-chair of the Southwest Florida Fair exhibit and the school’s annual graduation ceremony.
“If you cut her open, it would be black and silver that comes out,” Mangan said, smiling due to her school spirit.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Larry Tihen added that Ferlazzo does a great job in helping teachers, students and parents.
“All the things that she does makes her special,” he said. “She is a very important component.”
Tihen explained that a team of seven committee members, which included four support staff representatives, reviewed 28 applications for the Schools-Related Employee of the Year award.
Those 28 were then narrowed down to the top five finalists, which included Scott Fasenmyer, building supervisor at Caloosa Elementary School; April Collins McGarry, the bookkeeper at Three Oaks Middle School; Jeannette Santiago, a parent involvement specialist at Treeline Elementary School; and Diane Spear, the cafeteria manager at Lehigh Elementary School.
Tihen explained that all of those who were chosen as finalists go beyond their job responsibilities every day.
The top two were selected and the names were then forwarded on to Tihen to decide who would be the Schools-Related Employee of the Year.
Tihen said the top two candidates were excellent and well deserving of the award.
Ferlazzo will represent approximately 4,000 support staff working in the Lee County Public Schools, along with being the district’s nominee for the Florida School-Related Employee of the Year, which is in its 18th year.