St Johns County Recognizes Employee of the Year

St Johns County officials announced to local Historic City News reporters that 24-year-old Kristine E. Benoit has been recognized as the “2013 St Johns County Employee of the Year” during a brief ceremony before the St Johns County Board of Commissioners this week.

In making the presentation, the audience learned that Benoit has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to inspiring innovation and fostering increased visibility of the Southeast Branch Library Youth Services Department, both within and beyond the scope of her assigned duties.

“Kristine leads her efforts through a hands-on philosophy of engaging, interactive learning; which has helped boost program attendance,” Library System Director, Debra Rhodes Gibson, told Historic City News. “She has re-vitalized the Southeast Branch Library Youth Services Program from the ground up.”

In addition to her assigned duties at the library, where she earns $41,109.71 annually, plus benefits, Benoit, who lives in nearby Palm Coast, voluntarily serves as a community member on the School Advisory Council of Gamble Rogers Middle School and Hartley Elementary. She has represented the Southeast Branch Library at numerous community events, including Ancient City Kids Day.

Rhodes says Benoit has crafted programs for teen patrons and expanded the technological horizons of the Youth Services Department by introducing the use of iPads in both the Baby and Family Story Times. As stated on her certificate, “For all of these efforts and countless others, St Johns County takes great pleasure in honoring Ms Kristine Benoit as the 2013 Employee of the Year.”