A large group of Sunrise Rotarians showed up at Blendon Middle School on February 14 to surprise Karen Yingling with a Service to Youth award.
Librarian Karen Yingling was surprised on February 14 when a group of Sunrise Rotarians visited the Blendon Middle School Media Center 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 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. Yingling and other Service to Youth award winners will be honored at a breakfast in May.
According to her nominator, Yingling works tirelessly to build the collection of the library to include books for all reading levels and types. Students know her by her wacky, vintage attire and singing on morning announcements. She is especially passionate about encouraging boys to read, and posts a review of each new book. Whether encouraging “picky readers” or supplying diehard readers with advanced copies of their favorite series, she works daily to help students embrace the joys of reading. Yingling helps pupils acquire skills that not only assists them at Blendon, but that will be valuable in the future.
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.