Acra Styron, who serves as the leisure activities coordinator for the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department’s Northern Beach Division in Kill Devil Hills, has been named Dare County Employee of the Month for July 2022.
The award was presented to Styron by Dare County Public Services Director Tim White during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022.
Styron began working for Dare County as a part-time gym supervisor at Family Recreation Park in Kill Devil Hills in March 2018 and was hired for his current full-time position as leisure activities coordinator in October 2020.
“Acra is well-respected and loved by staff and the youth that attend the youth center at Rec Park,” said White. “While being a part-time employee, Acra developed many relationships with many of the students who today come back for his advice. Acra always makes himself available where needed. He embodies those necessary inherent skills that ensure his success as a helping professional.”
During the Employee of the Month presentation, White also commented on Styron’s ability to think outside the box of common sports like basketball and volleyball in order to come up with creative new activities for Parks and Recreation participants, such as Harry Potter-themed quidditch.
“During COVID, Acra thought outside the box and developed a Harry Potter quidditch for all ages,” said White. “This was a tremendous success during COVID as attendance increased each week.”
In addition to White, Styron has also received praise from his colleagues, one of whom wrote the following in their Employee of the Month nomination form: “Acra worked part-time with the after-school group before he was hired full time. He has continued to develop wonderful relationships with the after-school group, and the students frequently come looking for him to say hi or ask for advice. Acra truly loves these kids and looks out for them. Acra has taken the reins of his ‘new’ full-time position and run with it. He is enthusiastic about every task he is given and always more than willing to help any of his coworkers or customers who come into the office.”
The nominator also commented, “He is mature, polished and professional in all of his interactions, in person or on the phone. I wish you could see him in action with the Start Smart programs and especially with the Harry Potter Camp offered in the summer. For Superhero Toddler Camp he dressed completely in costume as Batman, and several of the campers really believed he was Batman. I am proud to call Acra a coworker and friend, and I thoroughly enjoy working with him—in good times and stressful times. He is an asset to Parks and Recreation and a terrific representative of Dare County.”
After he was presented with the award for Dare County Employee of the Month, Styron commented, “I was very much not expecting this, but I’m grateful. I’m grateful to have this job. I have fun every day, and there’s nothing more important than that.”
