On December 4, the third calendar in her honor was unveiled featuring pictures drawn by local school children and teenagers. Keller was a third grade teacher at Kelley Smith Elementary and several of the winners were from the school. Many county and city officials turned out for the occasion as well as Keller’s mother, Jo Dunn, and her daughter – also a teacher at Kelley Smith Elementary School - Kasey Keller.
- First Place/Cover: Jhoana Rodriguez –9th Grade - Palatka High School
- Second Place & July: Adianna Rivera – 2nd Grade – Ochwilla Elementary School
- January: Michael Barrera – Kelley Smith Elementary School
- February: Suzanne Nunez – 8th Grade –Jenkins Middle School
- March: Anthony Carter – Kindergarten – Moseley Elementary School
- April: Gage Behrens – 1stGrade – Ochwilla Elementary School
- May: Madison Wright – 9thGrade – Palatka High School
- June: Christina Cook – 10thGrade – Palatka High School
- August: Edgar Dominguez – 12thGrade – Crescent City Jr/Sr High School
- September: Emily Sullivan – 4thGrade – Kelley Smith Elementary School
- October: Jessie Koester – 11thGrade – Crescent City Jr/Sr High School
- November: Clifton Flagler – 5thGrade – Kelley Smith Elementary School
- December: Danielle Nelson – 12th Grade –Palatka High School
Committee Chair Tish Leary said, “The annual Jan Dunn Keller ‘A Day Without Violence’ calendar contest is a way to engage our community in ending violence and abuse while paying tribute to those who have suffered at the hands of their intimate partners.
“Teaching the next generation that violence is wrong, and by preventing domestic violence in relationships before it ever happens is ultimately how our community will make a change to a community that refuses to tolerate domestic violence.”
The Jan Dunn Keller Fundraising Committee has raised more than $43K to-date. Committee chairperson Leary added, “We are making a difference! Underscoring the focus of diligent domestic awareness education and resources has yielded a positive impact on the state of Florida statistics for domestic violence incidents... moving Putnam County from #1, to the #2 position.”
These numbers tell us that events like this do make a difference. That people will report abuse and seek help when they feel they have a community and an agency to support them.
“We extend our sincerest thanks to the talented Putnam County students who submitted their inspirational, beautiful artwork for this year’s calendar. In addition to the talented students' art submissions, we are thankful for each and every teacher, sponsor, volunteer and donor who contributed time and/or money to make the 2013 calendar possible. They represent the face and voice of change for the community we serve,” Leary concluded.
A few 2013 A Day Without Violence Calendars are still available. Contact 386-325-4734 for additional information.
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Family Establishes Jan Dunn Keller Memorial Scholarship Fund - Committee Earmarks Matching FundsThe legacy of education runs deep in the Dunn-Keller family. Jan’s father and mother, Sidney and Jo Dunn were both Putnam County educators. Her daughter, Kasey Keller, began her inaugural year as a kindergarten teacher at Kelley Smith Elementary on August 23, 2011.
In January, Jan’s family established the Jan Dunn Keller Memorial Scholarship at St. Johns River State College to honor her memory, and to ensure her legacy of education will continue to impact members of our community forever.
Additional funds have been earmarked by the Jan Dunn Keller Heels for Healing Committee from this year's fundraising efforts to enhance the family's scholarship. These additional funds will allow a second Putnam County student already attending St. Johns River State College with a major in education to receive assistance.
The amount of the scholarship will vary year-to-year. Each applicant must submit a written essay about domestic violence and the importance of awareness and education. The selected applicants must be attending or planning to attend St. Johns River Community College with a major in education.
Putnam County high school students interested in the family scholarship should contact their high school guidance counselor for an application. Putnam County students vying for the second scholarship can contact the St. Johns River State College Foundation Office at 386-312-4100.
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Public Urged to Get Involved - Stop Domestic Violence.
News Worth Mentioning
http://pcsdpd.typepad.com/news/2011/02/heels-for-healing-walk-honors-slain-teacher.html
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Putnam County students rock! We began to review 825 artwork entries submitted for the calendar contest.
