Baker County School District nurse was named ‘Life Changer of the Year’ award winner

MACCLENNY, Fla. — Julia Rhoden, a school nurse and wellness coordinator for Keller Intermediate School in Baker County, has been selected as a Life Changer of the Year Grand Prize Finalist for the 2022-23 school year.

LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program that rewards school educators and district employees who have made a change in students lives.

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Rhoden was nominated by a community member, Janice Hancock, for her acts of leadership. She started Shoes From Brayden, an initiative that provides shoes to any student in Baker County who needs one. This initiative was named in honor of her son, Brayden, who passed away from a rattlesnake bite.

Rhoden developed Shoes From Brayden after providing a pair of shoes to one of her students as a gift. Once she noticed how impactful this gesture of giving shoes to those in need was, she sent out a district-wide email asking for shoe donations. The community appreciated Rhoden’s ambition and provided an outpouring of support.

Rhoden was surprised with the award on Thursday, March 30th by Hancock, Horne, and other Keller Intermediate Staff members. As a Grand Prize Finalist, Ison received a $5,000 cash award to be shared between a $2,500 individual prize and a $2,500 donation to her school.

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