Five people received recognition awards from Crossroads Youth and Family Services Inc. at the agency's annual All Staff Summit at SYSCO Food Services Aug. 4.

The awards are given annually to the Outstanding Employee in the areas of Head Start and Youth Services, and to an individual, whether or not an employee of the agency, who best exemplifies the values and spirit of Crossroads YFS.

Phyllis Tunender received the Spirit of Crossroads Award; Darlene Chatagnier received the Youth Services Employee of the Year Award; and Stacia Jordan received the Head Start/Early Head Start Employee of the Year Award.

Tunender, from Norman, has served as a volunteer on the Policy Council of Crossroads Youth and Family Services for several years. She was nominated for the many hours she has contributed to the functioning of the Policy Council and for contributions to the agency as a whole. She is the great-grandmother of two young children.

Chatagnier has worked for Crossroads YFS since 2005. She is a JIC Attendant II at the Juvenile Intervention Center (JIC) in Norman, which is operated by Crossroads YFS and which serves as a diversion program for minor juvenile offenders. She was nominated for the positive example she sets for the youth served by the program and for her team spirit, officials said. ??

Jordan has been a teacher at the Union Street Head Start Program in Shawnee since 2003. She was nominated for her expertise in dealing with young children as well as the many community service projects she has spearheaded. One of these, which involved care packages for soldiers fighting overseas, resulted in her class receiving a flag which had flown over Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 Headquarters in Iraq.

Additionally, two employees received plaques for 20 years of service. Cheryl Ramey, a Head Start teacher at the Union Street Head Start program in Shawnee, and Rita Wyrick, an Early Head Start teacher at Little People Child Development Center in Seminole, both were recognized for their longtime service to the agency.

For more information, call Marla Parish, 292-6440, ext. 224, at Crossroads' Administrative Office.