Pat Palumbo, the graduation and basketball coach at the Academic Enrichment Center, has been recognized by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary for going above and beyond to serve students.
He received the Rotary Club’s Service to Youth Award for May. Representatives from Westerville Sunrise Rotary as well as Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg, school administrators and staff surprised him on Wednesday.
His nomination featured glowing praise: He is always taking an interest in students’ experiences and families, showing them they have more in common with others. He has an innate ability to build relationships with every personality he meets. He visits students at their job sites, has been known to work on his days off and checks on students who have been absent.
“He is the teacher we see in rom-coms — he is always there to save the day and he does it with style.”
Palumbo 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.