VIDALIA — Carolyn Read has spent the past 28 years of her life doing what she can to help the Concordia Parish School System, and that effort was recently rewarded.

Read was named the Social Worker of the Year by the Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers March 16 in Baton Rouge and said she was not expecting to win the award.

“I knew I had been nominated, but it never crossed my mind that someone from a rural area would actually be chosen for the award,” she said. “It was very humbling.”

Read said the review process for the award was very rigorous.

“They look at your contribution in the area of social work in general for the state,” she said. “They also look at any committees or organizations you have served on while you were working.”

Read fit these specifications like a glove, as she has provided direct clinical and consultation services to health care providers and businesses, served on a number of state committees, provided assistance to court systems in both Louisiana and Mississippi and currently serves as president to the advisory board of Catholic Charities.

After working close to 30 years at her position, Read said she gets more enjoyment out of the job every day.

“One of the reasons I really like social work is the diversity of it,” she said. “I am given the opportunity to provide both individual and group counseling to students in need.”

Read said helping students and faculty deal with the aftermath of a tragic event or playing detective to figure out why a student isn’t doing as successful as they can are just part of her every day duties.

“I analyze new regulations, speak with physicians, do home visits and counsel,” she said. “There are a lot of aspects to this job.”

While she does take pride in providing care to others, Read said she also does whatever she can to get the job done.

“I am a care giver, but I am also an in the trenches type of person,” she said. “I may not be the most eloquent speaker, but I don’t mind getting my hands dirty to try and figure out what is going on.”

Read said she could not have reached this level of success without the support of her mother, Amelia Read Hicks and the Concordia Parish School System.

“I go to conferences all over the state and hear social workers talk about how they don’t feel valued or supported, but that is not the case with me,” she said. “I have always been treated with respect (in Concordia). It has been a wonderful 28 years, and I have no complaints.”

Read said she will continue providing her services in Concordia until she can’t do it anymore.