Cupar's unsung local heroes are top of their class

PC Stuart Bruce presents a shield to Karen Paters of Balmerino

The annual initiative, which was launched earlier this year, aims to recognise pupils, parents and staff who go ‘above and beyond’ and make a positive contribution to their local school.

Nominations were invited from pupils and staff, with one overall winner being chosen from each establishment.

They all received engraved presentation shields at the end of the school term.

The pupils who were recognised were Magnus Baird (11), of Falkland Primary School; Holly Wilson (12), of Ladybank PS; Aaron Hally of Falkland House School, Piper Shanks of Craigrothie and Lucy Ross of St Columba’s in Cupar. At SRUC Elmwood, 20-year-old student Nicole Cumming was chosen by her peers for the award.

‘Lollipop lady’ Heather Cowan was chosen at Freuchie Primary, while at Balmerino it was school janitor Karen Peters and at Gateside it was cleaner and janitor May Pryde.

Classroom support assistant Mary Fairbairn was the unanimous choice at Letham Primary, while staff and pupils at Kingskettle chose Franek Janeczko, who facilitates the school church services, and at Auchtermuchty the award went to teacher Anna Dowie, who has just retired after 40 years.

Assistant janitor Kerry Scott was rewarded for her contribution at Pitlessie, while grandmother Roseann Ferguson was chosen at Dairsie; sports ‘champion’ Karen Milne was the choice at Castlehill and youth worker Trudi Newton at Springfield.

Volunteers featured prominently in the awards, many of whom are involved in a range of other community activities. Among the recipients was Dorothy MacGregor, who’s spent 15 years helping at Dunbog, while at Strathmiglo it was Anne Hutton who was recognised and at Ceres parent Sarah Buttercase received the honour.

Margaret Brydon, who has been heavily involved with Kilmaron since her foster son first attended over 10 years ago, was presented with an award in recognition of her contribution, and the most poignant presentation of all took place at Newburgh Primary, where the award was given posthumously to Reg Briers, president of the Newburgh branch of the Royal British Legion of Scotland. Reg’s family and members of the Royal British Legion accepted the shield on his behalf.