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Anabeth Tomalis’ impact earns her the October Crowder Service Award

For over three decades, John H. Crowder dedicated his life to supporting the youth of Union County. In honor of his enduring contributions and lasting impact, the Union County Board of Education presented the John H. Crowder Service Award for October to a senior at Sun Valley High.  

Anabeth Tomalis, a Student Council member, has devoted countless hours to her school and community, helping raise $20,000 annually for the Children's Holiday Project, benefiting 20 Union County families each holiday season.

She is president of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. In addition, Anabeth is part of the National Beta Club, National English Honor Society, National Athletic Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Green Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Interclub Council.

Anabeth is on track to be one of the first students to earn a Biliteracy Global Seal, having started in the district's inaugural Spanish Dual Language Immersion program in 2012. She has led bilingual story times at the local library, tutored younger students, and traveled to Costa Rica to deliver school supplies to a rural school, all thanks to the program.

Anabeth co-founded a club for children with special needs in the local elementary and middle schools with her best friend and classmate from the DLI program. The club, Español Especial, empowers children with special abilities through the joy of learning Spanish. By nurturing a love for the Spanish language, they aim to enhance communication skills, promote cultural understanding and celebrate each child's unique talents.

Anabeth plays varsity soccer for the school and plays club soccer locally for the Wesley Chapel Weddington Athletic Association. During the summer, she volunteers at the association's soccer camps and is a certified soccer referee in the county. Anabeth also teaches swimming at Charlotte Aquatics. She worked with special needs swimmers in the Ausome Fish program, specifically designed for children with autism, and was also selected as part of their management’s Leadership YOUniversity program.

Anabeth volunteers with the Special Olympics as an athlete buddy and with the Transition to Adulthood prom. She also serves on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

Anabeth plans to attend a four-year university and major in sports management.

10/01/2024