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Early Excellence Gala Union County, NC 2025

Foundation to Future: Union County North Carolina's Early Childhood Journey

Gallery

Union County Gala Event Gallery

Our 2025 Award Recipients

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Maryann Rasberry
Lifetime Achievement Award

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Nicole Blevins
Outstanding Early Childhood Support Staff

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Miranda Lord
Early Childhood Advocate of the Year

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Victoria Zachmann
Director of the Year

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Nicole Blevins
Early Childhood Advocate of the Year

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Debra Watson
Family Childcare
Home Hero

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Kacey Dubose
Early Childhood
Educator of the Year
Award

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Rometta White
Rising Star in
Early Childhood
Education

Union County 2025
Early Childhood Honorees

Tiffany Allen
Teresa Anderson
Bridgette Bell
Thomasina Verna-Craig
Carolyn Edwards
Tia Frankie
Christy Funderburk
Tarvia Funderburk
Mellonia Hemphill

Caleshia Huntley
Melea Killough
Regina Lockhart
Kristy Lugo
LaTonya McClendon
Taylor Rorie
Mary Peyton Rosinski
Lashaunda Simpson

Teagan Stimmel
Erica Vines
Jessica York

Our 2025 Planning Committee

Trinisha Dean
Executive Director
Alliance for Children

Cindy Owen
Smart Start MASTERS Specialist
Alliance for Children

Alexa Jackson
Operations Director
Wonder Academy Creative Arts Preschool and School Age Center

Megan Humphrey
Program Manager
Alliance for Children

Tonya Silas
Program Lead
Faculty Early Childhood Education

Jennifer Kappas

Chelsea Belyea

Tiffany Presson

Catey Brown

Jamie Hart

Gallery

Our Sponsors

Our Friends of Early Childhood

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Future Supporters

Maria Lander- Community Partner

Nina Chaffin- AFC Board Member

Angela Greene- AFC Board Member

Michelle Brock- Board Member Designee

Courtney Jant- Dancing On the Go

Melanie Miller- AFC Board Member

Deborah Musika- Montgomery County Smart Start

Angelia James- AFC Board Member

Janet Payne -AFC Board Member

Childhood Community Partners

Jack Hargett- AFC Board Member

Christa Tyson- AFC Board Member

Megan Parks- AFC Board Member

Suzie Wolf- AFC Board Member

Dr. Gwen Perkins- AFC Board Member

Scott Miller-AFC Board Member

Lauren Williams - AFC Board Member

Tammy Kul - Harmonys Joy

Franco McGee- City of Monroe

What They're Saying...

This Kind of Recognition Was Long Overdue

Family Childcare Home Provider

"I was so excited for the Early Excellence Gala—it was such a fun and meaningful night. I dressed up, celebrated with my colleagues, and finally experienced an event that was truly just for us. This kind of recognition was long overdue, and I genuinely looked forward to next year!"

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