Rhonda Hoffman, an administrative assistant at the Academic Enrichment Center, has been recognized by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary for going above and beyond to serve students.
Hoffman received the Rotary Club’s Service to Youth Award for January. Representatives from Westerville Sunrise Rotary, including Ohio Rep. Mary Lightbody and Westerville Mayor Diane Conley, as well as school administrators and staff surprised her on Wednesday.
Her nomination featured glowing praise: She checks in with students many times throughout the day to ensure they have what they need. She models the “Westerville Way” in her dress, manners, and speech, calmness and kindness. She instills confidence in parents and students registering for summer school. She has driven in rain, snow and sleet to pick up positive behavior incentives at the store. When a student entered her office anxious and in tears, she bonded with the student who left smiling after the visit.
“She is the magician behind the curtain and makes very important logistics happen.”
Hoffman received an award from the club, along with baked treats and a gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter. In addition, recipients have an American flag flown in their honor at the Westerville’s Field of Heroes display during Memorial Day weekend. All of the Service to Youth award recipients honored from October to May will be recognized at a Rotary Sunrise breakfast in May.
Rotary Sunrise launched its Service to Youth awards in 2011 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 Conley, who is also a retired WCSD administrator.