Pictured left to right: Walmart store manager Andrew Bounds; Sunrise Rotarians Gretchen Kiehl and Diane Conley; Sunrise Rotary President Rob Hunt; Whittier Principal Cheryl Relford; Service to Youth award winner Janet Custer; and Sunrise Rotary members Rick Rano and Paul Kulik.
Janet Custer, a health aide at Whittier Elementary School, was surprised on September 26 during an all-school assembly when Sunrise Rotarians named 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 Custer received this award because she treats all students with dignity and respect. “Oftentimes, when a student visits the health office, they are in need of more than a band-aid. They need a loving, caring adult who will treat them with kindness and love,” they said. Custer’s calm demeanor, thoughtful words and quick smile help pupils who are struggling to find a role model in their lives. She was lauded for checking on students throughout the day and communicating in a timely manner with staff and parents. Whittier has a number of special education classrooms, including some autism units. The Rotarians concluded, “Janet’s diligence and kindness with students who have special needs is remarkable. Her compassion and understanding and sensitivity to confidentiality make her an ideal candidate for this award.”
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.