Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award
The Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award is in honor of Anne's distinguished Smart Start leadership and her long career dedicated to the service of young children and families in Cabarrus County. This award is given annually to an exceptional individual at the local level who is devoted to public service and whose leadership qualities have resulted in significant change for the betterment of young children, families, and communities.
Among the leadership qualities the recipient will exemplify are:
- Passionate commitment to the vision of a stronger community for children and families
- The ability to lead and inspire others in pursuit of that vision
- Personal integrity, humility, and professional will
- Willingness to work hard, stay the course even in the face of adversity, and acknowledge the contributions of others
- An unbridled and optimistic pursuit of that possibility
The 15th annual Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award will be presented during the 2024 Voices for Children Luncheon on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at McGill Baptist Church. The recipient will be honored and will receive a plaque of thanks during the event. The family of the recipient will be invited to the Voices for Children Luncheon to share in the award presentation.
Nomination Procedures
» Submit your nomination using our online form
» Download and print the nomination form
Who can make a nomination? Nominations can be submitted by anyone that works and serves in Cabarrus County. The nominee must have worked to improve the lives of young children in Cabarrus County and exemplifies the above listed leadership qualities.
When is the deadline for award nominations? Nominations must be submitted via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to (P.O. Box 87, Kannapolis, NC 28082-0087) by 5:00pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Who will receive the nominations? The nominations will be received by the CCPC Board of Directors or the appointed Nomination Review Committee.
Who should I call if I need additional information? Please call Ann Benfield at 202-297-4733 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions regarding the nomination or award.
Award Recipients
2023 - April Samples, Investigator, Cabarrus Co. DISTRICT ATTORNEY's Office
We are thrilled to recognize April Samples as the 2023 Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award recipient! She was nominated for the award by District Attorney Ashlie Shanley.
April started with the Cabarrus County's Sheriff's Department in 1998 and moved her way through various divisions. When she was appointed to the Detective Division, that is when her skill set really began to shine. Although she prosecuted and investigated all kinds of cases, it was the child cases that really touched her heart. She became lieutenant of her division and not only handled these cases, she mentored others coming after her so that the work could be passed on.
After retiring as lieutenant last year, April went on to work as an Investigator for the Cabarrus County District Attorney's office and is part of their Safe Haven team, which prosecutes all cases against women and children in human trafficking. She has also taken over the human trafficking task force in Cabarrus County along with helping with homicide cases.
Thank you April for the impact you are making in the lives of children and families in our community.
2022 - Waynett Taylor, LOCKHART CHILD DEVELOPMENT cENTER
2021 - Karen Calhoun, Cabarrus Co. DHS
2020 - Dr. russell suda
2019 - Paula Yost, Cabarrus Co. Child Protection Team
Ashlie Shanley presented the award to Paula Yost Schupp, calling her a trademark attorney who is devoted to the welfare of our children. Paula volunteers countless hours heading the Cabarrus County Child Protection Team and facilitates meetings and the sharing of resources between our local child protection agencies so that they can serve our children better. Paula is also a loving mom, a wife, an attorney, and the owner of the Country Law Shack in Mount Pleasant.
Paula's extraordinary passion for helping children in our community is the reason why she was named the Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award recipient for 2019.
2018 - Starla Hatley, ABCD/Reach Out and Read
award winners 2009-2020
2009 Debbie Biggerstaff
2010 Felicia Wilson
2011 Pam Smith
2012 Norman Franklin
2013 Andrea Palo
2014 Rev. Donald Anthony & Angela Ward
2015 Jackie Whitfield
2016 Ashlie Shanley
2017 Andrea King & Wilma Means
2018 Starla Hatley
2019 Paula Yost
2020 Dr. Russell Suda