The Lincoln County School Board recognized the efforts of fourparents Monday by naming them 2006 Parents of the Year for theirrespective schools.

Leigh Ann Richardson, of Enterprise; John B. Smith, of LoydStar; Tim Pepper, of West Lincoln; and Richard Welch Jr. wereawarded the honors. Richardson was further recognized as thedistrict parent of the year.

“I never expected this,” Richardson said. “I don’t believe I doany more than anyone else, but I do appreciate therecognition.”

Richardson said she felt she was given the award because of herefforts in the Parent Teacher Organization, where she is veryactive.

“My biggest asset is I’ve been available whenever the teachersor faculty need me,” she said. “God blessed me with a wonderfulfamily and I just feel it’s my responsibility to be there” when theschool needs her.

Smith said he was proud of the award, especially since hegraduated from Loyd Star in 1961. He assists the school now notonly as an alumnus, but as a grandfather as well. Hisgranddaughters, Anna and Abby Thomas, are students at the schooland came to last night’s board meeting with him.

Smith deferred comments about himself and complimented thefaculty of the school, adding it was easy to commit yourself to aschool when your grandchildren look forward to attending eachmorning.

“They love Loyd Star,” he said. “There’s no problem getting themup in the morning.”

Pepper said he was somewhat surprised by the award because hewas only one of several in the West Lincoln Booster Club working onschool projects. He was part of booster club efforts to buildlocker rooms for the baseball and softball teams and concessionstands for those sports and the football program.

Welch did not attend the board meeting, but sent his apologies.He was attending the Bogue Chitto girl’s fastpitch softball team.They were defeated by East Webster 1-0 at Mayben in the South StateChampionship game.

In a related matter, the board moved its May 15 meeting to theMississippi National Guard armory on Highway 84 in order toaccommodate more people during the annual faculty awardsceremony.

Board members will also complete their annual inspection tour ofschool campuses May 15 when they visit Bogue Chitto AttendanceCenter at 2 p.m.