Shelby's Social Diary
Teachers put in the spotlight, standing ovations included, in a special night for education
With more than 300 guests filling the Hotel ZaZa ballroom for the fifth annual Food for Thought dinner benefiting Fund for Teachers, the night celebrated educators including Memorial High School teacher Shanna Ciarella. Her remarks on the impact of the Fund for Teachers on students earned her a standing ovation.
A second standing ovation was bestowed on keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin Carson, professor of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. As founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, he spoke on the influence of teachers in every student's life and how that influence extends to America's greatness.
Jo and Jim Furr chaired the evening that raises fund for teacher grants supporting their pursuit of knowledge and skills that impact the classroom and beyond.
The teacher-friendly crowd included Phoebe Tudor, Cathy and Jesse Marion, Bill Breetz, Mary Lou and Walt Smith, Collier and Richard Blades, Alex and Astley Blair, Yolanda Green and Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein.