Ponca City School Child Nutrition Employee Receives State Award

The School Nutrition Association of Oklahoma presented Linda Turner, Ponca City Senior High Campus Mart Manager, as the 2015 Norma Wilson Hero Award Winner at their annual conference in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Norma Wilson Award was established in memory of Norma Wilson, a long-time Director of Child Nutrition, who was well known for her mentoring, leadership and sense of humor.

Turner was nominated by several individuals for her involvement and leadership in SNA as well as her wide range of skills in many aspects of managing and mentoring child nutrition staff members.

Her daily responsibilities, including staff leadership, contribution to management team through cross training, and effective communication with students, staff, parents and local community, were highlighted in the nomination.

“The integration of leadership qualities allows me to foster environments to guide, govern and guard the integrity of staff members. I enjoy a work environment requiring a presence of active participation with staff to effectively meet challenging day-to-day operations,” Turner said.

" Linda is a very important member of our management team,” said Jeff Denton, Director of Ponca City Schools Child Nutrition Program. “Her skills and wide range of knowledge have been critical to our success. We are very proud of Linda and are happy others around the state have also recognized her skill set and contribution to so many in child nutrition.”

Turner started her career with Ponca City Schools in 1999 as an administrative secretary at the district administration office. She started working with child nutrition in 2002 and worked as the CNP financial secretary for several years before becoming a manager at West Middle School.

In 2010, Turner moved to the position of manager at East Middle School, district HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) and Nutritional Analysis Coordinator. In 2014, she was named manager of the Ponca City Senior High Campus Mart operation.

Turner is a resident of Newkirk, Oklahoma and is married to Dave Turner. They have six children and nine grandchildren.