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Founder's Day Awards to Honor Berkley School District Leaders

Tickets are still available for a ceremony Wednesday where teachers, support staff and PTA members will be recognized.

Libby Turpin, Neighbor

Posted Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 4:13 am ET|Updated Tue, Mar 1, 2011 at 2:54 am ET

The Founders Day celebration, hosted by the Parent Teacher Staff Association, comes as a breath of fresh air amid the dismal news of possible education budget cuts throughout Michigan.

The Founders Day awards honor an educator, a support staff member and a PTA member within each of the Berkley schools. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren.

Founders Day awards are given to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make positive contributions throughout the school year, said PTSA president C.J. Morrell.

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Morrell said it was hard to select a winner because all of Norup’s staff members rise above the challenge of educating the community's children.

“They take on the student body as if they are their own,” Morrell said.

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PTA president Conny Coons, who has participated in the organization for seven years, said Founders Day awards recognize those who make a conscious effort to make their schools a better place.

Rogers' support staff winner is custodian Lou Brunskill, who made a positive first impression when he asked Coons whether she needed help at an event. Coons said Brunskill is the epitome of the type of staff member who deserves recognition for a “positive, helpful and supportive attitude.”

Yet these deserving members don’t like to toot their own horns.

Diana Keefe, PTA member of the year, has been an active member for seven years.

“I don’t do it to be recognized," she said. "I do it for the kids; I want to be involved.”

Tickets for the Founders Day celebration, which has the theme of "Engage, Inspire and Achieve," cost $30 and are still available. Contact your local PTA for more information.

Read on for a complete list of Founders Day winners.