Pictured left to right: Walmart store manager Andrew Bounds; Sunrise Rotarian Gretchen Kiehl; Service to Youth award winner Danielle Whitehead; and Sunrise Rotarians Diane Conley, Rick Rano and Paul Kulik.
Danielle Whitehead, a third grade teacher at Annehurst Elementary School, was surprised on October 30 when Sunrise Rotarians showed up at her school to name her as the monthly recipient of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Diane J. Conley Service to Youth award. She received a plaque from the club, along with flowers, a cake, and a $50 gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter on Schrock Road.
The Rotarians said Whitehead received this award because she is an active member of the school community who participates on numerous committees while pushing students to succeed. And her third grade math OAA scores were outstanding. “Leading by example, Danielle creates student opportunities throughout the school and is active with the PTA,” the Sunrise Rotarians said. “She is often seen at school until 6:00 p.m., planning and communicating with parents, and she attends many evening activities, showing her support for students and other teachers. Student achievement is uppermost in her mind. Danielle Whitehead is an asset to the Annehurst community.”
Rotary Sunrise instituted Service to Youth awards three 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.