Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster proudly announces that School Resource Officer Deanna Wilbanks has been named the School District of Newberry County Support Staff of the Year.

“We are so proud of Deanna,” said Foster. “This is exactly the kind of investment and influence we encourage our officers to make where they serve. We will never change the perception of law enforcement in the public until we return to the partnerships with other agencies and the public, including our youth, to prove that we are always better and safer when we work together.”

Deanna is the School Resource Officer at Newberry High School. She has served in that role since 2013. Deanna is very active in the school community in her role as School Resource Officer. She also serves as the head volley coach and assistant softball coach.

In her nomination letter, the staff at Newberry High School said, “The Support Staff Employee of the Year for the District is constantly visible in all areas of the school, regardless of conditions. She has developed positive relationships with students, allowing her to perform her duties even more effectively and efficiently. She believes her job is to make an impact on students’ lives- from encouraging the students to set positive goals, make wiser decisions and model good citizenship of respect for others and for self. She has always seen her top priority as providing safety and security for Newberry County Schools. Her principal says that it is without question that our school is a much safer place to work each and every day she is here, which is why she is held in such high regard by our Bulldog family.”

Superintendent Jim Suber said of Deputy Wilbanks, “We are extremely pleased to honor Officer Wilbanks as the Newberry County School District Support Staff Employee of the Year. In her role as school resource officer she is always visible and establishes positive relationships with students, staff, and stakeholders alike. We greatly appreciate the encouragement and support she receives from the Sheriff’s Office to be involved in a variety of Newberry High School extra-curricular activities. Officer Wilbanks is very deserving of this award and we are very fortunate to have her on our TEAM!”

Both Sheriff Foster and Superintendent Suber said that this recognition is proof of the partnership the two organizations have worked so hard to establish.

The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and School District of Newberry County are recognized at both the state and national level for their partnerships in school safety planning and training in on addition to their partnership and programs.

Deanna is pictured with Sheriff Lee Foster and Chief Deputy Todd Johnson.