2011 Fred Award Finalists

Karen Puckett, or “Ms. Karen” as she is affectionately known, isn’t just the afternoon custodian at Benton Elementary School in Marshall County. Awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year by her board of education, she is known by all as a dependable and supportive force in the district. Devoted to creating a warm and caring atmosphere for learning, Ms. Karen can be seen doing just about anything to make kids feel welcome. From being a surrogate grandparent for the Grandparents Ice Cream Social to giving guided tours to nervous parents of new students, Ms. Karen is the epitome of how ordinary can be extraordinary.