Annual Recognition Event

On June 8, 2008, nearly 200 volunteers, donors, student members, friends, relatives and staff came to USC's beautiful "Town and Gown" room to celebrate the successes of the RFB&D-LA family.

Our wonderful Master of Ceremonies was CBS2-TV's most popular morning anchor, Kent Shocknek. Kent graduated Magna Cum Laude from USC. A loyal friend to our organization, Kent is a regular Record-A-Thon volunteer, and also sits on RFB&D-LA's advisory board. This was also Executive Director Carol Smith's opportunity to bid a fond farewell, as she announced her July 31st retirement plans.

This annual event is RFB&D-LA's opportunity to bring together the components that are truly the heartbeat of the organization: the volunteers who record the textbooks, and the students who use the books to become role models of success! Our volunteers were acknowledged for their amazing dedication and service (this year they recorded over 600 books!), and a few were recognized for multiple years of selfless giving. Terry Bass and Carolyn Woosley celebrated 20 years of volunteering; Rodney Hoffman, Charles Silverberg and Mel Shader celebrated 25 years, and Larry Heineman an amazing 30 years of volunteering!

Director of Production and Volunteers, Rob Young, presented the Record-A-Thon awards, paying tribute to the volunteers who recorded the most hours at each of their studios, and those who raised the most money.

Special entertainment was provided this year by 2007 first place Scholastic Achievement Award winner, Jordanna Hurwitz Rose. "Jordie" was interviewed by Kent, and then sang two absolutely stunning arias. The talented young opera singer will begin her sophomore year at University of British Columbia's School of Music in the fall, and continues to use RFB&D's audio textbooks in her studies!

The event closed with the presentation of the 2008 Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Scholastic Achievement Awards. All six students were present this year, and once again their stories of struggle and eventual success brought tears and then great inspiration to the entire audience! Read their personal success stories here! Visit our photo album here.

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