Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award
Congratulations to the recipient of the 14th annual Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award: April Samples | Investigator, Cabarrus County District Attorney's Office!
The Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award is presented each year to an exeptional individual who is devoted to public service in Cabarrus County and whose leadership qualities have resulted in significant change for the betterment of young children, families, and communities. April Samples was presented the award during the Cabarrus County Partnership for Children's Voices for Children Luncheon on December 5, 2023.
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