BY DR. JENNIFER SANKEY-BATTLES, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
ORLANDO – On April 5, 2024, Arthur Battles received a Crystal Award from the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) for being a senior volunteer in career and technical education at the Orlando College South Campus. The 2024 Crystal Awards hosted by the Foundation for OCPS was held at Sea World –Port A Call banquet hall, Orlando, Florida. Family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, and supporters filled the room with excitement and cheers as ADDitions School Volunteers and Partners in Education were honored. Battles and over 60 volunteers plus business owners from various industries were given accolades and trophies for numerous volunteer hours and the donation of in-kind service. The Crystal Award Ceremony showcased the honorees and made it clear that volunteers are valuable precious gems who impart knowledge and skills to students, making a positive impact.
Mr. Battles has volunteered as an instructor of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Heart saver – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) program at the Orlando College South Campus for over 20 years. Battles, a native Orlando resident, is a retired firefighter and army veteran. He started volunteering because of his passion and enjoyment of teaching adults and high students interested in becoming an EMT or other related interest in the medical field. Battles has trained thousands of students; he says, “I hope to impart knowledge to individuals who may be instrumental in saving someone’s life.” Present at the ceremony were Veronica Anderson, CCTS-Health Coordinator, Ketsia Nortelus, Resource Teacher at Orlando Technical College-South Campus and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Sankey-Battles, who proudly congratulated Battles for receiving the distinguished Crystal award. To learn how to become an ADDitions School volunteer and Partner in Education, visit the OCPS website.
