Posted: Friday, December 18, 2009 10:45 am

Nearly every charitable organization in Rutherford County has benefited from the labors of this year’s City School’s Foundation’s Excellence in Education Celebration honoree, community volunteer Joyce Taylor.

This year’s Friday, March 5 event at Stones River Country recognizes Taylor’s own “excellence” through the volunteer spirit.

“Joyce is the queen of volunteerism in Murfreesboro,” said Jeanne Bragg, chair of Excellence in Education III. “Whether it is through our young schoolchildren, the hospital, or any other of the dozens of organizations she volunteers for, Joyce Taylor’s heartfelt labors have impacted each one of us.”

Joyce Taylor’s life and career is based on excellence and achievement. Following in our tradition of honoring schools, it is most appropriate that The Discovery School, Murfreesboro’s school for “high achievers,” now in its fifth year, is the featured school.

“Aside from benefiting a great cause, this is a great party,” Bragg said. “One of Joyce’s passions, outside the boardroom, is bridge and Decorations Chair Karen Scott and her parent volunteers will have a big time playing up our card theme.”

Hosting the “Full Flush” pre-party the night of the event are last year’s honorees Ted and Gloria LaRoche at their new NAHB certified Green House. This will be the couple’s first public event held at their new Shannon Drive home. The pre-party is open to event sponsors and their guests, as well as Excellence guests who contribute an additional $50 towards the Foundation.

Joyce Taylor was the first chair of the City Schools Foundation, which was formed in 2006. The Foundation is a group of civic and business leaders banded together to benefit Murfreesboro City School’s 12 primary schools and 7,000-plus school children, and serves as a venue for other foundations and corporations to make significant contributions that can impact the school system as a whole.

The Trustees and Foundation supporters are leading citywide efforts to bring local resources to bear on local needs, most specifically providing support in the areas of Science, Academic Competition and Excellence.

Corporations with local ties are generously purchasing tables for the Celebration through corporate sponsorships. The sponsorship levels are: Grand Slam ($10,000), Aces ($500), and Kings ($2,500).

Individual tickets may be purchased for $250 each as a contribution to the Foundation.

For more information about sponsorships and tickets, contact Cheryl Harris, Murfreesboro City Schools at 615-893-2313.