As their qualifications surely attest, they are indeed, friends of education.

Six special individuals were lauded as the Carbon County Education Association held its Biannual Friend of Education Dinner Thursday at Blue Ridge Country Club in Palmerton.After dinner, the awards ceremony got under way with a short presentation by Michelle Muffley, president of the Carbon County Education Association.The list of 2011 honorees were Keith McCall, Carbon County Education Association; Paul Cary, Carbon Career & Technical Institute Education Association; Pearl Sheckler, Jim Thorpe Education Association; Mike Fegley, Lehighton Area Education Association; Anna Strohl, Palmerton Area Education Association; Sean Smith, Panther Valley Education Association; and John Toft, Weatherly Area Education Association.McCall, a longtime Democratic state representative who served 28 years in the 122nd district, before he became Speaker of the House from 2009-10, was unable to attend the event.Brad Landis, president of the Palmerton Area Education Association, accepted the award on McCall's behalf."Keith's always been very supportive of the future, the kids and public education," Landis said. "Thank you very much."Joseph Farkas, vice president of the CCTI Education Association, introduced the next award recipient, Paul Cary.Cary currently serves as corporate traninig specialist at Lincoln Technical Institute, Allentown.Farkas said Cary played a pivotal role that enabled the CCTI to become the fifth industry certified curriculum in the state.Cary said he accepted the award "with great pleasure" and added he will be "hanging this on my wall at home in my office.""The energy level that he [Farkas] conveys in that room with those students; that ETA certification didn't happen by accident," Cary said. "I accept this on behalf of all of you guys."Mark Rosenberger, assistant principal at Jim Thorpe High School, introduced the next recipient, Pearl Sheckler.Rosenberger said Sheckler has dedicated the past 20 years to many service projects in her community, and has been very instrumental to help obtain grants for the Jim Thorpe community to purchase new uniforms for teams, and lettermen's jackets for boys and girls.Sheckler said she was honored to receive the award."I'm a strong believer in our school district, and I believe that the kids should always come first and education always be top notch," Sheckler said. "I believe the kids should always be safe in athletics and in the classroom."Bruce Koch, president of the Lehighton Area Education Association, introduced the next recipient, Mike Fegley.Fegley has served as president of Vista Fuels LLC D/B/A Fastfill from 2002 to present.Koch said Fegley was chosen "because of his past and continued support of the Lehighton Area Education Association.""He has helped to raise funds for scholarships to be given to our students," Koch said. "In our opinion, Mike has gone above and beyond to help us, and our students."Fegley accepted his award and offered a brief statement."I'm not really one to speak, so I'll just sit down," Fegley said. "Thank you."Landis then introduced the next recipient, Anna Strohl.Strohl has been a member of the Palmerton Exchange Club for the past 15 years, the past 10 of which she's been president, and has also driven bus for George's Busing for the past 42 years."Her support of the Palmerton Exchange Club and the students is incredible," Landis said. "Without all of her hard work and dedication, these efforts would not be possible."Strohl said that is the teachers who deserve the praise for the work they do."It's just unbelievable; they say, how do you do it," Strohl said. "But, you teaches, how do you do it; all the credit goes to you, because you work hard."Strohl then thanked the organization, and said she was "very proud to be an honoree tonight."Joe Sweeney, president of the Panther Valley Education Association, introduced the next recipient, Sean Smith.Smith has served as Nesquehoning Borough Police Chief since 2001.Smith accepted his award and offered a brief statement."I'm not one for big speeches either," Smith said. "Thank you for the award and a great evening."Barbara Sipler, president of the Weatherly Area Education Association, introduced the final recipient, John Toft.Toft is currently president of Weatherly Area School Board, and is chairperson of the Curriculum and Technology Committee.Sipler said Toft is a "true educator", and added she believes "the most significant way he helps our school district is as president of Weatherly Area School Board.""He leads by example, and makes decisions based on the best interests of the students and the district," Sipler said. "John is a true friend of public education."Toft quipped "I'm not sure she was talking about me.""I'd like to thank the teachers, administration, and our students; they are responsible for me receiving this," Toft said. "I want to wish continued success, and thank you teachers for allowing me to be here."Afterward, Muffley congratulated all of the award recipients."It has been my pleasure to be president of the Carbon County Education Association, and to work with all of you," Muffley said. "I can't thank our recipients enough for all that you do for the students of Carbon County."