Pictured left to right: Westerville City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg; Walmart store manager Andrew Bounds; Sunrise Rotarian Gretchen Kiehl; Service to Youth award winner Deb Ubry; Sunrise Rotarians Diane Conley, Kristen Moosmiller, and Rick Rano; Fouse Principal Robb Stranges; and Sunrise Rotarian Paul Kulik.
Deb Ubry, a first grade teacher at Fouse Elementary School, was surprised on November 17 when a group of Sunrise Rotarians showed up at a supposed staff meeting to present her with the Diane J. Conley Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Service to Youth award. She received flowers and a plaque from the club, along with a cake and a $50 gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter on Schrock Road. In addition, an American flag will be flown in her honor during Westerville’s Field of Heroes display. She and other Service to Youth award winners will be honored at a breakfast in May.
The Sunrise Rotarians said Ubry has the gift to make every student, parent, and colleague feel valued and appreciated. She has brought new programs to Fouse including Phonics Dance and Family Math Night. She demonstrates leadership as a Westerville Education rep, levy liaison, and Math and Language Arts first grade rep. Ubry, a GEM award winner and Teacher of the Year, serves on the Westerville Education Challenge Board. She is always first to step up for the needy, providing and obtaining food, warm coats, money and shoes. She solicits help for Fouse through the National Honor Society students. The Rotarians concluded by saying Ubry works tirelessly and gives unconditional support to her students and parents. They called her a “passionate educator who is respected and loved for her kindness, patience and knowledge.”
Rotary Sunrise instituted Service to Youth awards four years ago 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 Sunrise Rotarian Diane Conley, retired Chief of Academic Affairs for Westerville City Schools.