Pictured left to right: Assistant Superintendent Mark Hershiser, Sunrise Rotarians Gretchen Kiehl and Rick Rano, Walmart store manager Andrew Bounds, Service to Youth recipient Dr. Steve Coolahan, Superintendent John Kellogg, Sunrise Rotarian Paul Kulik, and Dr. Scott Ebbrecht.
Dr. Steve Coolahan, a school psychologist, received the Diane J. Conley Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Service to Youth award on Friday morning, April 11. He received a plaque from the club, along with a cake and a $50 gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter on Schrock Road. An American flag will be flown in his honor during Westerville’s Field of Heroes display.
For the past 14 years, Dr. Coolahan has served as the program manager for the Educational Opportunities for Success (EOS) Alternative High School Program. He wrote the original grant for this program and has played a major role with regard to its overall growth and success. During this time frame, the EOS program has graduated a large number of at-risk youth and provided them with intervention assistance for mental health related concerns as well. He also leads the crisis intervention team. Sunrise Rotarians called him the “consummate professional,” and praised him for knowing each student personally.
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.