Westerville Sunrise Rotary recognizes Service to Youth recipients for September and October

Melissa Gordon, a secretary at Walnut Springs Middle School, and Stephen Smalley, assistant principal at Genoa Middle School, have been recognized by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary for going above and beyond to serve students.

Gordon received the Rotary Club’s Service to Youth Award for September while Smalley received the honor for October. Representatives from Westerville Sunrise Rotary as well as school administrators and staff surprised Gordon and Smalley on Wednesday.

Nomination letters for each recipient featured glowing praise: 

Gordon: She is a servant leader, constantly giving personal time and promoting student council. She constantly puts students first and gives them options to learn how to be leaders. The students all know that she is someone they can go to in hard times. She is always looking to help students — if there is a need, she fills it.

Smalley: He does an extreme amount for students every day to make them feel at home. He shows students what is expected and if they don’t follow, he shows them again. He’s a hero, responding quickly when he noticed a student choking during lunch by administering the Heimlich maneuver.

Gordon and Smalley received an award from the club, along with baked treats and a gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter. In addition, recipients have an American flag flown in their honor at the Westerville’s Field of Heroes display during Memorial Day weekend. All of the Service to Youth award recipients honored from September to May will be recognized at a Rotary Sunrise breakfast in May.

Rotary Sunrise launched its Service to Youth awards in 2011 to recognize exceptional school employees who have made a special contribution to youth; have served as a positive role model for young people; and have demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty in performing their job responsibilities. The award is named in honor of retired WCSD administrator Diane Conley, who is also a retired WCSD administrator.