BRUCETON MILLS — Schools in Preston County start the new academic year Monday and Susan Moran will be ready to go.
She has been an employee of Preston County Schools for 16 years and is currently secretary at Bruceton School.
She was nominated for the 2023 West Virginia Department of Education’s Service Personnel of the Year Award, and is one of five finalists for the state award.
Moran said her journey to the state competition began when her peers nominated her for the county Service Personnel of the Year Award. “It was a great honor,” she said.
Moran said she then sent an application to the state and was chosen as one of the top five to compete for the state title.
She said she begin her work with Preston County Schools at Preston High as the Gear Up liaison and homeless service provider. As homeless service provider, Moran said she was made aware of a program in other counties that provided weekend meals for students in need. She presented the idea to Food for Preston and worked in partnership with that organization to secure funding to bring the program to Preston County.
She has been a member of the Bruceton Community Lions for 35 years, holding the offices of president, secretary, treasure, and was honored with the Leonard Jarret Award. Moran said was also a 4-H leader for five years and earned the 4-H All Star Award.
According for her application she is also a food pantry volunteer, is active in her church, an All Things Possible board of director and was named “Good Neighbor” in 2021 by the Bruceton-Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department for volunteering and helping with its projects and community involvement.
All Things Possible houses the local food pantry.
Tammy Laney, director of Food for Preston, wrote that Moran provided the sparks to ignite the Food for Preston Backpack Program in partnership with Preston County Schools. She said the program continues to serve weekly and weekend food to hundreds of students in need.
“Masking up (during COVID) alongside a handful of fellow volunteers, Susan helped provide students with safe access to school supplies, hygiene items and food during school closures and reopening. And this year, she spearheaded donations to create an in-school shower and laundry room for student use,” Laney said.
Bruceton School Principal Jonas Knotts said Moran keeps the school running smoothly.
“Susan is the glue that holds this place together,” Knotts said. “She knows the community well and is phenomenal with the kids, parents and the staff. It’s wonderful to see her getting the recognition she deserves.”
The school’s assistant principal said Moran is someone you can count on.
“Mrs. Moran has many roles in which she excels — Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, secretary and friend,” said Michelle Martin. “She is someone you want on your team. When I think of Mrs. Moran, I think of a quote I have displayed on my daughter’s bedroom wall. ‘She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.’ All of these reasons are why Mrs. Moran is truly deserving of being recognized as West Virginia State School Service Personnel of the Year for 2023. She truly is a gem hidden at Bruceton School.”
