School Nutrition Association of Connecticut
Rising Star of the Year Award
The School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT) sponsors the Rising Star of the Year Award. This award was created to acknowledge the value and contributions of outstanding newer food service professionals. This award will honor individuals who have served in school food service positions for 10 years or less for both current accomplishments and sustained contributions to programs that advance good nutrition in our schools and communities. There will be two categories and two awards available annually: one for Food Service Directors and one for Food Service Staff. Food Service Staff is defined as all other food service staff members including but not limited to the following job descriptions listed: support staff, school managers, general workers, cooks, cashiers, drivers, secretaries etc.
Who is Eligible
This award is intended to recognize school nutrition professionals at the district level. Nominations may be submitted by the person’s supervisor, staff, peers, district administrator or business official. Self nominations are also accepted.
A school nutrition professional may be nominated if he or she meets the following criteria:
●Employed in school food service for no more than ten years in award category applying for.
●Member of SNACT for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.
●Contributes to nutrition education in their school community and/or beyond.
●Demonstrates a passion for life-long learning and professionalism.
Nomination Criteria
The nomination should be based on how well the nominee meets the criteria in the following areas. Please describe specifically how the candidate meets each criterion above and beyond their normal duties and responsibilities. The criteria below are listed in the order that the judging committee deem to be the most important. For example, more weight will be given to Section 1 then Section 4. Not all criteria may apply.
- Program / School Enhancement (i.e. how does this person contribute to the program success)
- Association Involvement/Contribution (i.e. promoting the value of SNACT membership)
- Staff Involvement (i.e. leading, and/or motivating staff)
- Community Involvement (i.e. sharing foodservice and nutrition knowledge/expertise with community organizations)
The nomination must be written in third person so that the nominee’s name only appears on the first page of nomination form. This will allow the judges to be as objective as possible. All award entries are confidential.
Awards
All awards will be provided by SNACT. Winners are recognized at the SNACT annual Awards Banquet and letters will be sent to the award winners school Superintendent and Board of Education. Winners in each award category will receive a Rising Star Award, complimentary SNACT conferenceregistration and two complimentary Banquet Dinner tickets for self and guest.
Judging
The member services committee will appoint a minimum of three [3] judges to help with the evaluation of entries. The judges will be chosen from a variety of disciplines such as business managers, industry representative, single unit managers, food service directors and general workers.
Timetable
●Nomination forms and judging criteria will be available by February 15.
●Executive Director must receive all entries by April 1. Please email nominations to
●Selection of the Rising Star Award will be completed by May 1. All nominees will be notified by the committee of the decision. The decision of the committee is final.
Requirements for Submitting a Nomination
●Nominations may be submitted by the person’s supervisor, staff, fellow school nutrition colleague, district administrator or self.
●Nominations must be written in the third person so that nominee’s name does not appear throughout the entry. Nominee’s name should only appear on top page of the nomination form so judging is as objective as possible.
●Documentation is limited to the space provided on the nomination form. The official entry and nomination form must be used.
●Judging will be based on the previously stated criteria.
Questions:
If you have any questions or need an additional application please contact Denise Di Mare, Executive Director at
School Nutrition Association of Connecticut
Rising Star of the Year Award
Nomination Form
Category Applying for:
___ Rising Star: Food Service Director
___ Rising Star: Food Service Staff Member
Nominee’s Information
Name of Nominee: / Nominee Job Title:Nominee’s School: (if applicable) / Nominee’s District:
Nominee’s Email: / Nominee’s District Director: (if applicable)
Your Information
Your Name: / Your Job Title:Your School: (if applicable) / Your District:
Your Email:
How do you know the nominee?
Number of years nominee has been employed in school nutrition in award category applying for ______
Number of years nominee has been SNACT Member _____
*You may confirm the current membership and certificate status of the nominee by contacting
Please check if any or all that apply**:
___ SNA Certified
___ SNS Credential
**Note: Nominees are not required to be certified or credentialed to be considered for this award.
Directions: Briefly describe the nominee’s accomplishments in the areas being judged that clearly demonstrate how their efforts have helped to enhance the school foodservice and nutrition program in their district. Written materials may not exceed the space provided on the nomination form. Be very specific and provide sufficient information on the nominee’s results and/or benefits to the program.
The nomination MUST be written in the third person so that the nominee’s name only appears on the first page. Please do not reference the nominee or school/school district by name. Only refer to the nominee as “the nominee” or “he/she”.
Email completed nominations to: SNACT Executive Director at by April 1, 2018
Submitted by ______District ______
(Please print clearly)
Submitted by ______
Signature
Please remember to sign the nomination form.
Date Submitted ______
Program/School Enhancement (please describe how the nominee contributes to the program and/or school success) [50 points]
Association Involvement/Contribution (please describe how the nominee contributes to and/or promotes SNACT) [20 points]
Staff Involvement (please provide detailed information on how the nominee demonstrates leadership or motivation of Staff) [15 points]
Community Involvement (please describe the nominees involvement in the
community related to nutrition and wellness activities) [15points]
Rising Star Award 2018Nomination #______
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