A large group of Sunrise Rotarians showed up at Mark Twain Elementary School on December 20 to surprise Susan Kaul with a Service to Youth award.
Mark Twain Elementary School secretary Susan Kaul was surprised on December 20 when a group of Sunrise Rotarians showed up in her school to present her with a Diane J. Conley Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Service to Youth award. She received a plaque from the club, along with a cake, cookies and a 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. Kaul and other Service to Youth award winners will be honored at a breakfast in May.
Kaul knows every student at Mark Twain and works to make sure each child feels comfortable and welcomed. She plans and organizes a number of events, and is often the first to arrive for work and the last one to leave. She has even remodeled the front office to make it warm and inviting. During summer break, Kaul coordinates the annual book exchange, spending her own time buying and sorting books in an effort to encourage summer reading among the youngsters. Her nominator says she “expects and facilitates respect for staff and each other with gentle reminders, great enthusiasm and praise. She celebrates each child’s successes.”
Rotary Sunrise instituted Service to Youth awards seven 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.