PTA Council Honors Top Educator, Students & Others

LHS senior Christin Donahoe receives her scholarship from scholarship committee member Nora Katzenberger.

The Lakewood Council of PTAs handed out its annual awards at a ceremony on May 4 at Harding Middle School including $4,000 in scholarships to students and the Educator of the Year award.

The council awarded Horace Mann Elementary School special education teacher Cristina Smith the Educator of the Year award. Smith was part of the effort to make the Horace Mann playground handicap-accessible and also worked on a collaboration with Beck Center for the Arts that brought music and art therapy to the CHAMPS unit at Horace Mann. Educator of the Year nominees from other school buildings were also recognized: Chris Johnson of Roosevelt Elementary School, Amy Miller of Lincoln Elementary School, Daniel O’Brien of Harding Middle School, Joshua Thornsberry of Garfield Middle School and Amy Garritano of Lakewood High School.

Earning $1,000 scholarships each this year were seniors Christin Donahoe, Robert Fehrenbach, Jonathon Pizzo and Claire Black, who was also awarded a scholarship from the Ohio PTA representative present.

The Helping Hand award goes to a staff member in the school buildings other than a teacher who goes above and beyond in helping students and staff. Horace Mann Parent Resource Coordinator Chris Bringman was given the Helping Hand award for all that she does for parents and students, particularly with the K-Kids Club.

The Golden Apple award is reserved for special recognitions of service. It is given to individuals for their outstanding efforts to improve or make a difference on the behalf Lakewood City Schools' students and who have been instrumental in supporting and aiding in the success of PTA. This year, Christina McCallum, assistant to Assistant Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio was awarded the Golden Apple.

Council also presented a Good Guy award, in an effort to recognize and encourage more men to get involved with PTA. Kevin Postoczak of Roosevelt Elementary PTA was given the award for his efforts to create events that would encourage more parents to be involved with their children’s education and PTA. He championed a successful chili cook-off and kickball game and spearheaded the Father’s Walk event for Roosevelt.

The Ripples Award is given to the PTA unit with the most volunteer hours and number of volunteers in the school year. This year’s award was presented to Lincoln PTA with 1,952 volunteer hours and 137 volunteers. Lakewood High PTA was honored by the Ohio PTA for the greatest membership increase over last year, with a 72% boost in members.

Finally, PTA Council President Kim Walcheck had a tough time deciding on just one person for the President’s Award, so she awarded two. Horace Mann PTA President Nora Katzenberger and Roosevelt PTA President Katie Potoczak were both given President’s Awards.

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Volume 12, Issue 11, Posted 3:33 PM, 05.10.2016