Local alums recognized for giving back to Putnam County

Putnam County School District alumni smiled and stopped for a photo Tuesday during the school board meeting Tuesday after being recognized as the 2022 Product of Putnam winners.

School district officials, with the help of the county’s Chamber of Commerce and Palatka Daily News, chose seven honorees this year. The alumni had to be graduates of the Putnam school district who still give back to the community, whether in the form of a business or volunteer work.

This year’s recipients are:

– Farmer Teddy Siehler, who graduated from Crescent City High School in 1970.

– Businessman Skeet Alford, who graduated from Palatka High School in 1978.

– Dr. Briana Kelley, a Palatka High School alumna who graduated in 2002.

– Guidance counselor Jennifer Wright, a Palatka High School 2003 graduate.

– Health care worker Robyn Jernigan, a graduate of Palatka High School 2005.

– Maintenance manager Michael Hoare, who graduated from Palatka High School in 1995.

– Firefighter Daniel Weaver, who graduated from Interlachen High School in 2005.

“The main thing is we want to show our students that it is cool to be back in Putnam County,” Superintendent Rick Surrency said Tuesday about the Product of Putnam program.

“We want you to come back and give back to your community.”

This is the program’s fourth year and each honoree will have their name engraved on a plaque in the school district’s main office to commemorate their award.

Siehler was chosen because he is a big supporter of youth agriculture, helps children with their livestock projects and has served many hours on the Putnam County Youth Livestock Fair committees, according to the school district.

Alford owns multiple businesses in Putnam County, including Hogwaller and the WIYD/WPLK radio stations. He said he chose to stay local because Putnam County is home to him. He said if he could give students today any advice, it would be to “Be yourself and don’t be afraid to work hard.”

Kelley was nominated for her volunteer and community service work in Putnam County. Not only has she worked as a school district therapist, a geriatric therapist and a 911 Operator, Kelley has also led the West Putnam Pop Warner football and cheer program for 10 years, according to the school district.

“I choose to stay in Putnam County because I truly believe to whom much is given much is required,” Kelley said in a statement.  “If we are to be social change makers, we must take an active part in continuing to learn, grow, and teach.  Staying and contributing to bettering Putnam County is heart driven.”

Wright works at James A. Long Elementary School as a guidance counselor and people who nominated Wright said she “makes sure every student’s needs are met, and she does everything in her power to push every student to their full potential.”

She said she chose to stay here because she wanted to give back to the community that shaped her into becoming the person she is today.

“I would tell students graduating from the Putnam County School District three things:  The only person you are competing with is you, not your peers, your family, or social media,” Wright said in a statement. “The greatest comparison to make is with the person you were yesterday. You only lose when you quit.”

The school district wanted to make sure they celebrated people who are “great Putnam County citizens,” Surrency said, and added celebrating these recipients is something district officials “hold dear.”

Jernigan worked as a substance abuse counselor at Palatka’s SMA Healthcare for five years and later worked for the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County as the program manager of healthy families.

“Who knows Putnam County better than its residents? No one! We, as residents, know what this county needs and the best ways we can make things happen and change,” Jernigan stated. “We also know how to best advocate for our community and the people we can reach out to for assistance.”

Interlachen High School graduate Hoare has worked at Georgia-Pacific and now serves as the maintenance manager for the tissue side of the Palatka mill, the district stated.

He said he chose to stay local to support his family and wanted his children to have the same positive experiences he had in Putnam County when he was growing up.

“If you want it bad enough, you have to work for it,” Hoare said as advice to students. “Never give up on your dreams as they won’t be given to you.”

The final recipient, Weaver, has been a volunteer firefighter with Putnam County Fire Rescue since high school. He continues to volunteer his time as chief of the Florahome-Grandin Volunteer Fire Department while working as a lieutenant with Alachua County Fire Rescue.

“There are many great working opportunities in this county,” Weaver said in a statement.  “Use your success and education to help advance Putnam County further into the workforce and make Putnam’s workforce sought out by individuals from other counties.”

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