Barb Bossu Spirit Awards Celebrate Top Volunteers of 2024
Barb Bossu Spirit Awards Celebrate Top Volunteers of 2024
The Lakota District Parent Council, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools, was proud to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Barb Bossu Volunteer Spirit Awards at a special ceremony on April 24.
The annual program recognizes the volunteers who exemplify the legacy of Barb Bossu, an enthusiastic parent volunteer and the Union Elementary PTA president at the time of her death in 1989. The award was established a year later to commemorate her dedication to public education by honoring annually a volunteer at the district level and one from every Lakota school.
"For 34 years, we've been honoring Lakota volunteers who represent Barb's positive spirit and give up their time unselfishly to support our students and their schools," said DPC President Lisa Phair. "So many of us look forward to this day each year because it brings the Board of Education, school administrators and members of each school's parent organization together in one room."
At the event, each school principal shared a tribute about their school's honoree before the DPC presented this year's district-wide award to Leah Aguilar.
"When you ask someone to name an extraordinary volunteer in the community, Leah Aguilar‘s name will surely be mentioned multiple times," said Lakota Board Vice President Kelley Casper during the presentation of the award. "The word 'no' does not seem to be part of her vocabulary. What she does outside of her job in Lakota is nothing less than miraculous."
Aguilar is co-area director for Neighborhood Bridges, an organization that connects members of the community with the immediate needs that students may have. She volunteers for Reach Out Lakota, the Boys and Girls Club of West Chester Liberty, Caring Community Collaborative (C3), Sleep in Heavenly Peace, St. John Church, the West Chester/Liberty Martin Luther King Jr. day program and many others.
Enjoy this special message from the Lakota Board of Education, which was shown at this year's ceremony before honoring the 2024 award recipients.
Congratulations to this year's school-level honorees:
K- 6 Honorees
- Adena Elementary - Jenn Bogucki
Nominated by teachers, office staff, and fellow parents, Jenn joined the executive board at Adena after the start of the year and has not stopped since. She has has helped with everything to counting change from a candy bar fundraiser to copying to walking the snack carts around to pour into the staff.
- Cherokee Elementary - Kelly Nowak
Kelly quickly made an impact on Cherokee’s PTA after moving to Ohio in 2019. She has raised over $45,000 for the community as the vice president of Ways and Means by spearheading the school's Disney raffle and glow party, among other activities.
- Creekside ECS - Amy Young
Amy serves as the treasurer for Creekside’s PTO. She supports the school's monthly Woot Woot Wagon for student recognition, provides the monthly treats for Cub Leaders, co-chairs the Walk-A-Thon, spearheads Creekside's month staff recognition activities and schedules all of the school's Dine-to-Donate events.
- Endeavor Elementary - Trisha Dunkerly
Trisha continued her active involvement with Lakota, readily supporting the school through multiple roles, including event assistance and leadership positions. Her dedication extended to becoming a Co-President, enhancing the school's environment and even stepping in as a substitute teacher.
- Freedom Elementary - Sarah Engel
Sarah enjoys engaging with the staff and students at Freedom through a variety of roles. She has taken photos, designed pages, collected cover designs, and helped with orders and distribution of the yearbook for the past three years.
- Heritage ECS - Kristin Hobbs
From a quick hour at a book fair to many hours crafting yearbooks, Kristin has been an active volunteer at Heritage, contributing to various school activities. Despite a busy family life, she enjoys providing the best experience for students.
- Hopewell ECS - Mo Whitacre
Mo has served as Hopewell ECS PTO President for the past three years, laying a strong foundation that will be instrumental or years to come. Besides being present at every planning meeting, call, email, and communication in between, she also serves as a substitute, parent volunteer and support to students and staff.
- Independence Elementary - Dresden Soules-Peters
Dresden has been an active volunteer for the school and stepped up to be PTA president this year. She has implemented new policies and procedures, started a PTA Facebook page and monthly newsletter, and took on the task of getting a playground purchased.
- Liberty ECS - Laura Arand
Laura has been involved with the PTO for over six years, including key roles to keep the PTO engaged throughout Covid. She has held many positions ranging from Executive Board roles to Committee Chairs in addition to volunteering in classrooms, the copy room, and at school events throughout this time.
- Shawnee ECS - Sarah Ormbrek
Sarah is a committed, compassionate, inclusive, detail-oriented, and kind-hearted volunteer at Shawnee. She has organized, implemented, and improved after-school programs, maintains and organizes the nature trail clean up, and more.
- Union Elementary - Sarah Holland
Sarah is a humble, kind, always giving Union volunteer. She graciously gave her time for three years as the PTSO Treasurer. This year she also took on the role of DPC representative.
- VanGorden Elementary - Vanessa Weiss
Vanessa has been a long-time volunteer at VanGorden and is a part of almost every program and event going on at the school. She has taken the lead of the PTA as co-president this year and co-chiar of the school's talent show.
- Woodland Elementary - Meaghan Jones
Meaghan assists in Ms. Nunn’s classroom twice a month, helping with students, making copies, laminating, and doing bulletin boards. She also stepped up to take over as Field Day Chair.
- Wyandot ECS - Erin Parks
Erin has been a valued member of the Wyandot PTO for the past three years. For the past two years, Erin has taken time to step up as the PTO’s Treasurer.
7-12 Honorees
- Hopewell Junior - Jennifer Kidd
As two-year president of the Hopewell Jr. PTSO, Jennifer believes that people should be involved in their communities to make it better for those who live there. She has changed course, readjusted plans, and ran successful fundraisers during a challenging year when the school experienced a fire.
- Lakota East Freshman - Kara Woeller
Kara has been co-president of the Lakota East Band program for three years and co-leader of Lakota East Band Student Activities. Her dedication and leadership have led the band to excel to new heights.
- Lakota East High School - Susanne Page
In her four Years at Lakota East, Susanne has been a DPC representative, resource pantry manager, "Hawk of the Week" chair, Senior Solstice chair, and Freshman Field Day chair, each for multiple years. For Upbeat Club, she has also done multiple major volunteer jobs, including the vice president of Ways and Means, Band Camp leader, Spirit chair and chaperone.
- Lakota West Freshman - Yufang Vangaasbeek
Thanks to Yufang, the school’s craft show was a huge success. She stepped in at the last minute and took on the school’s largest fundraiser.
- Lakota West High School - Stacie Davis
In her first year as the President of Lakota West Athletic Boosters, Stacie has led a renaissance for the Boosters. She has helped partner with other parent-led groups and added significant value to the school community.
- Liberty Junior - Kristina Thurman
Kristina came into LJS this year as a new PTO member and took off running with volunteer work. She was co-chair of the Color Run and played a huge part in bringing in sponsorships from the community.
- Plains Junior - Kristin Foley
Kristin has received unanimous acclaim for this year’s Barb Bossu’s award, marking her second consecutive nomination. She embodies exceptional organizational skills, respectfulness, and dedication. She is known for stepping up to lead in challenging situations where others may hesitate, readily assuming unclaimed responsibilities.
- Ridge Junior - Angela Page
Angela has served as the Ridge PTO president for two years, dedicating her time and energy to enhance the experiences of students, staff, and families. She has organized events like Registration Night and chaperoned student dances and the Color Rush.
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