District 81 honors school volunteers
Spokane Public School honored outstanding volunteers for their efforts at its board meeting on June 9.
The following volunteers received gift baskets that included certificates from award sponsor Cyrus O’Leary’s restaurant and other special awards. This year’s honorees are:
Violet Franz: No one at Audubon Elementary can imagine life without her. “Her commitment to the reading program is unmatched,” wrote her nominator. Franz is at the school for several hours every day, working with struggling elementary students as they master literacy challenges.
Carol Hennig: For 15 years, Hennig has worked as a volunteer at North Central High School. “It is a pleasure just being around Carol,” wrote nominator Kim Schneider. “She’s here three days a week and is always upbeat, positive, warm and caring.”
Don and Doris Holdaway: “Don and Doris are perfect examples of perfect volunteers. They truly connect and have a relationship with each child. I’ve told Don that he’s the oldest kindergartener in the district, but he just keeps coming back for more,” said teacher Norrie Johnson. The Holdaways volunteer on a regular basis with children in grades kindergarten through third grade.
Anna Howard: Roosevelt Elementary School’s own “Grandma Anna” was stunned at the assembly that the school’s kindergarten and early primary students sponsored on her behalf. Howard is at the school for several hours every week and provides a nurturing and supportive presence for children learning to read and write.
Jerene Rivero: Rivero works with Browne Elementary School’s first graders two-days every week. “She is a very special, generous person,” wrote nominator Sheri Potts. “We all love her dearly and appreciate what she does for us.”
Debbie Swoboda: Swoboda not only volunteers at Wilson Elementary on the city’s South Side, she works to keep all the other volunteers working as well. “Debbie is here each and every week for several hours,” writes nominator Rita Forsythe.
Betty Tobin: Tobin was named “Queen for a Day” during a surprise event in her honor at Bryant’s Enrichment Center last month. “There’s nothing that happens around here that Betty hasn’t had a hand in,” says Principal Dana Lyman. Tobin volunteers at the school for several hours each week.