RMS Principal Moon receives Star Polisher Award

PHOTOS COURTESY OF J. DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY

R U S S E L LV I L L E – Russellville Middle School Principal Dr. Monica Moon is this year’s recipient of the Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher award, which was presented at the annual Russellville City Schools Education Foundation awards banquet.

A member of the Russellville High School Class of 1999, Moon said she was “shocked” upon realizing she had won.

“It brought me to tears because it’s such an honor to be recognized by peers,” Moon said. “It was definitely humbling, and something I never thought would happen in my career, to be recognized in that way.”

Moon is finishing year 19 of working in city schools, and it’s her 20th year in education. She has taught first grade, computer classes, been the Pre-K director and assistant principal at West Elementary, and served as assistant principal at RMS. She is in her first year as principal at the middle school.

“It’s a whirlwind,” Moon said of her time so far as principal. “It is busy, but the only way to be successful at this job is by having such an amazing team – from the office staff to the custodians, to the CNP workers, to the bus drivers and every single teacher in that building.”

Moon described the school as “a family.”

“We just take care of each other so we are our best selves and can take care of the kids that come to us every day.”

While being principal represents a change from her years as a teacher, it’s an experience Moon said she deeply enjoys and is grateful to have.

“I love just getting to see the realm of education from a different perspective,” she explained. “I had seven years of experience as an assistant principal and have worked with some amazing leaders who have helped to shape my perspective and my view and my skills. It’s possible because of the leaders that have come before me that have invested in me.”

Moon spent four of her assistant principal years at West Elementary and the other three at Russellville Middle School.

“Every child can learn, and that’s our first priority – to keep them safe and keep them well – and every child is capable and able to have a good education,” Moon said of her educational philosophy. “We just invest our best selves in that.”

Moon attended Russell City Schools all the way through graduation. She attended Northwest Shoals Community College and finished her undergraduate degree at the University of North Alabama, where she also got her administration certificate, as well as her master’s degree. Her education specialist degree is from Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi.

She is married to Chris Moon, a 1999 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School. Their daughters, Morgan Moon and Ashley Moon, are RHS graduates.

THE AWARD

Sharon Hindman Hester presented the award, given each year in memory of her father, former principal Dan C. Hindman. He worked in the Russellville school system from 1969 to 1980.

“He epitomized the very definition of a Star Polisher,” Hester explained, “and that’s the reason the award has this name.”

Hester said it’s “always a thrill” for her, on behalf of her family, to recognize the teacher or administrator of the year for RCS.

“We’re pleased to be able to give not only a beautiful trophy but also $1,000 to be used at her discretion,” she added.

“A star polisher takes an individual, in this case a student, in whatever form they may be, from whatever background they may be from,” Hester continued, “and works with them one-on-one in order to, as the poem says, to buff them and get them prepared to then be bright, sparkling beacons to the world.”

Previous recipients of the award include Kyle Taylor (2024), Cindy Coan (2023), Kellie Sturdivant (2022), Beth Forsythe (2021), Paula Pounders (2020), Stephanie Mayfield (2019), Lt. Col. Norman Lier (2018) and Monica Balding (2017).

OTHER RECOGNITIONS

Patti Kimbrough, a retired RCS educator, and current state Rep. Jamie Kiel received recognition as RHS alumni who have made significant contributions to the school system over the years.

CONTRIBUTED/J. DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY – Patti Kimbrough, RHS alumni award winner.

CONTRIBUTED/J. DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY – Rep. Jamie Kiel, RHS alumni award winner.

Nineteen RHS seniors received scholarships from the foundation, which has distributed more than $270,000 in scholarships since its inception in 2012. It has also generated more than $24,000 in classroom grants during that time.

This year’s scholarship recipients include: RCS Education Foundation Scholarship — Ella Colagross, Cara Elliott, Hannah Hulsey, Andrea Quinones, Lily Vargas Hernandez.

Dr. Aubrey Terry Memorial Scholarship Hailey Rogers.

Dr. Faye Wilson Next Step Memorial Scholarship — Kimberly Cano, Uriel Mojica, Damien Tompkins.

Dr. Wayne Ray Scholarship — Rosalia Solis Gabriel.

Flanagan/Hellums Scholarship — Kaytlyn Brady.

Judy Pounders Memorial Scholarship Mylee Pounders.

Lanny Norris Scholarship — Neyland Baker Paul Foster Memorial Scholarship — Kimberly Salgado Valenzo Wayne Collum Memorial Scholarship Paxton Wray W e l l s / S a m u e l Scholarship — Brayden Ashley, James Hall, Richard Scott, Alexis Wells.

THE FOUNDATION

Through community donations and sponsorships, as well as the annual scholarship banquet and silent auction, the RCS Education Foundation raises funds to create a continuing stream of support from within the school system.

Established in 2012, the foundation is a nonprofit organization created solely for the purpose of providing educational opportunities for students. It operates under the oversight of a board of directors including community leaders, system volunteers, alumni, educators and business leaders.

“The RCS Education Foundation is more than just a scholarship provider, it’s a bridge to brighter futures for our students,” said the foundation’s secretary Dr. Natalie Bendall.

“We are incredibly grateful to our community, whose generosity and continued support make it possible to invest in the next generation. Every donation, sponsorship and act of kindness helps us open doors for students and strengthen the foundation of excellence within our schools.”

The current members of the foundation board are Jamie Sumerel, president; Missy Hargett, treasurer; Natalie Bendall, secretary; Dr. Tim Guinn, superintendent; Howard Hillman, school board representative; Mandy Barksdale, Karri Cummings, Jacob Davis, Logan Ezzell, Maleia Gist, Elliott Gordon, Nina McNatt, Louis Monterroso and Channing Wright.