Mineola School Board kicked off the new school year with student and staff recognitions as well as a new award, The Buzz’s Ultimate Effort Award.

Superintendent Cody Mize announced at last Monday’s school board meeting the first recipient, English as a Second Language coordinator Annette Pecorino.

Mize talked about the event Pecorino has coordinated the past two years, inviting families to learn about various resources available.

He said she has also been recognized for her efforts by the Region 7 Education Service Center.

Students and staff recognized for each campus included third graders Madelynn Smith and Jagger Cooper and second grade teacher Renee Johnson at the primary school, fourth graders Kaysen Haire and Kensley Pendergrass and reading specialist Sueanne Bardwell at the intermediate school, eighth graders Everett Carver and Aubrey Haskin and English language arts teacher Ashley Veach at the middle school and seniors Hector Ramirez and Myah Joyner and special education coordinator Christine Spofford at the high school.