Andy Plunkett Recipient of Good Neighbor Award for August 2017
LEWISVILLE, TEXAS – Andy Plunkett, Assistant Chief of High Schools for the Lewisville ISD, has been chosen for the August 2017 Good Neighbor Award. This recognition celebrates his outstanding spirit and involvement of helping others in the community. The award is presented monthly by Loving Community, a neighborhood advocacy group to deserving individuals or businesses.
Being a good neighbor is more than a single act of service. Good neighboring is a lifestyle. It demonstrates a long obedience in the same direction. It’s marked by a dogged persistence of doing what is good and right.
Andy has a long track record of modeling this. Since becoming an educator in 1990, this big hearted west Texan has not only been an award winning educator, but a friend and advocate to hundreds of students, past and present. His success is found in the success of his students.
Known by students as Mr. Plunkett, he has an uncanny ability for names and stories. While overseeing thousands of students and hundreds of educators, Mr. Plunkett navigates his duties one student, one story, one encouraging word at a time. Whether in the halls of schools or streets of the community, patience is required as he regularly greets students and educators alike by name and inquires about personal life happenings.
This good neighboring spirit finds its origins with Jesus and the gospel stories like that of the Good Samaritan. Who is my neighbor? Everyone. How far should I go in helping? All the way. How long should I help? Keep persisting!
When Mr. Plunkett first met LHS student Demetrius, the young man’s life was full of challenge and hardship. Caring for a terminally ill relative left the transfer student behind academically.
However, teachers quickly recognized his drive to overcome. Enter Mr. Plunkett, who along with others became his advocates. Engaging his efforts, ultimately they celebrated his hard work and accomplishments of being in the National Honor Society and receiving a 2014 ADVID Scholarship. A good story, but not quite finished.
Fast forward to the summer of 2017, three years post high school graduation and Demetrius in addition to juggling family and work, chose to pursue his dream of going to college. So who did he call? The persistent good neighbor, Mr. Plunkett.
Over a period of months, the two began to navigate the arduous system of financial aid and records and immunizations to enter college. Demetrius continued to work all along without the convenience of a vehicle or driver’s license, relying on public transportation.
Upon applying for a driver’s license they received the unexpected news that due to a six year prior ticket, he had an outstanding fine and late penalties now totaling $1,100!
And yet they persisted, and Mr. Plunkett arranged for an audience with the court to address the situation. Accompanying and advocating for Demetrius, initially the court was unbending. However with prayers and persistence, and a court clerical error, they ultimately received the decision of a complete dismissal!
This fall Demetrius will begin college, not bound “by what is, but believing in what can be.” And all along by his side was Andy Plunkett, the August 2017 Good Neighbor.
Loving Community’s Good Neighbor award is sponsored by Gaylene Anders of Ebby Halliday Realtors in honor of Ebby Halliday Acers who consistently modeled her life on the principle of “Do something for someone everyday”.
To find out more about Loving Community and the Good Neighbor award, nominate a deserving individual or business, or contact the recipient or sponsor you may do so at: http://gaylene.ebby.com, www.loving-community.net, www.good-neighbor.org
