CCS earns six Awards of Excellence

WASILLA — Six CCS Early Learning staff members and volunteers were recognized through the Alaska Head Start Association’s annual Awards of Excellence program.

According to CCS Executive Director Mark Lackey, CCS is one of 17 different educational entities across the state that operate under the Head Start Association.

CCS received several nominations for categories such as “Early Childhood Coach of the Year” and “Head Start Father of the Year.”

“We were just thrilled that so many people got recognized and honored,” Lackey said. “We have so many people that went above and beyond. People have been working extremely hard.”

Award recipients from across the state were honored during the annual award ceremony at Evangelo’s in downtown Wasilla. Lackey said it felt good to see so much representation from CCS and it was great having the ceremony hosted in the Mat-Su Valley to further highlight the local talent and dedication.

“We were there in force,” Lackey said.

We were just really honored to have this event in the Mat-Su.”

According to Lackey, CCS’s overall operations have been good with even more hope and excitement on the horizon with noteworthy milestones such as their newly opened facility in Knik-Fairview.

“I think we’re doing well. It’s been an adjustment. We’re trying to get back to normal, whatever normal is nowadays,” Lackey said. “It feels really good that our schools are open and our families are coming in to volunteer… We’re getting back to what we do best.”

CCS is currently seeking staff members for all locations including the newly opened Knik-Fairview site.

“We’re doing everything we can to get those people on board,” Lackey said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com