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Kenston honors dozens of retirees, student and staff awards and launches ‘Rise Up’ staff recognition
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Kenston Board recognized more than 400 combined years of service from retirees across departments, presented school awards including a Hall of Fame nod for Timmons Elementary, and accepted the student‑created Rise Up Award honoring high‑impact non‑instructional staff member Rebecca Taylor.
The Kenston Board of Education spent a large portion of its May 12 meeting recognizing retirees across the district, honoring staff and student achievements, and accepting a student‑created award for non‑instructional personnel.
Superintendent Dr. Willingham introduced a slate of retirees from administration, transportation, maintenance and nutrition services, and described the evening as “a very special night” to honor long service. Retirements cited included Anita Dwyer (22 years), Karen Visich (32 years in Kenston payroll; 37 years total in payroll), Rob Beck (40 years at Kenston, 50 years total), Stan Redd (48 years), several nutrition‑services staff who began between 1997–1999, and teachers and support staff with decades of service. Speakers repeatedly noted the cumulative experience leaving the district and the community impact of long careers.
Mark Jones, associate executive director of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, presented a Hall of Fame recognition to Timmons Elementary for instructional leadership, culture and student engagement. “Timmons Elementary is a thriving school community where a unified mission is evident in every aspect of the building,” Jones read from the visiting team’s evaluation.
The board also recognized student accomplishments in the arts and entrepreneurship. Two seniors received Scholastic Art Awards (silver and gold key distinctions), and third‑grader Olive Hanson won the Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge with a short product pitch she presented at the meeting.
A new student‑initiated staff recognition, the “Rise Up Award,” was presented by senior William Eisner to Rebecca Taylor, an administrative assistant at the high school, who was cited by nominators as someone who “runs this school on a day‑to‑day basis” and “does it all with a smile.” Eisner framed the award with a quote he attributed to Queen Elizabeth II: “a life lived in service is not a sacrifice, but an honor.”
The board voted to accept the commendations; Board Member Jim Henry moved the motion to accept the list of commendations and Dennis Berganski seconded. The roll call vote recorded all present voting yes.
Clarifying detail: presenters said roughly 400 combined years of service were represented among retirees; the Hall of Fame award for Timmons is part of a selective state program administered by OAESA; the Rise Up Award was developed by a senior student, distributed following a staff survey and nomination process.
