Katrina Reynolds

Ms. Katrina Reynolds, Advisor of the Ira High School SAVE Chapter, was recognized by the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) for her work and efforts in preventing school violence and promoting youth safety. The 2010-2011 National SAVE Advisor of the Year Award was awarded to Ms. Reynolds for outstanding performance and lasting contributions to the school, community, and students and for exemplifying the ideals of SAVE.

“I have been a SAVE member for three years now, and I have no idea where we would be without Ms. Reynolds,” stated Kyrstin Baker, Ira SAVE member. “The SAVE group started with her and three of my other fellow schoolmates. Ms. Reynolds knew that this program would open up so many doors for students and keep them out of trouble. The group is now fourteen people strong and still growing. We have a member in our group, J.P. Wilson, who is a part of the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board, and was recognized as SAVE Student of the Year last year. He tells people all of the time – including myself, that he could not have gotten that far without Ms. Reynolds’ help and encouragement. She’s helped all of us grow into leaders who are ready to share the message that our group stands for now, and in the future. She has made such an impression on my life, and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s helped us with in our group. Ms. Reynolds is one of those people that go the extra mile for someone and has one of the sweetest hearts a person can have. She pushes us to be more involved in school and the community and encourages us to do everything we set our minds to.”

“When you hear Katrina Reynolds, the SAVE Advisor of Ira, talk about Students Against Violence Everywhere, you can see on her face how much she believes in this group,” stated Cindy Josey, Licensed Paramedic/ Supervisor for local EMS agency. In the last four years this group has done so much for the community and its school. This could not have happened without the positive impact of a leader like her. She is so energetic with the kids and is interested in what they are doing and making it their program; as I understand it, that is what this program is: lead by the students. The group did a special Christmas drive for the local Gateway services, a temporary home for abused women and children. They purchased gifts for the children and mothers and food items for the shelter. Ira SAVE also volunteers with Meals on Wheels once a month. Katrina organized the first West Texas SAVE Summit. Several of the surrounding schools were invited to learn about SAVE and start their own chapters. It was very successful with most of the schools wanting to start the program. (MORE) Ira SAVE conducts a project every month. They adopted a family that had been touched by violence and gave them a backyard makeover. The youngest boy in the family suffers from a traumatic brain injury and wasn’t able to make it out to the back yard unless he was carried. The chapter collected enough donations for handicap accessible toys, a sand box, swings, a ramp with a porch, and a new patio door so that he and his brothers could play safely. These are just to name a few.”

“Ms. Reynolds embodies the ideals of SAVE and is a model for SAVE members everywhere,” stated Carleen Wray. “SAVE’s vision is for all students to be able to attend schools that are safe and secure, free of fear, and conducive to learning.” As more students join SAVE chapters all across the country, we are moving closer to making our vision for safer schools a reality.”