WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

321 List Ave. Rochester, NY 14617

To: All media

From: Carol A. Crumlish, Director of Public Information, 336-3067

Date: March 8, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PTSA bestows awards

The West Irondequoit Central PTSA honored three people in a special ceremony on February 13. Suzanne Dreher, Grace Kavaliunas and Gretchen Tortora each received the New York State PTA Honorary Life Award, given to those who have shown exceptional service to children and youth.

Paul Dreher accepted the award on behalf of his wife, Suzanne who passed away in April of last year. Mrs. Dreher was a member of the West Irondequoit Board of education for ten years, held countless PTSA positions and volunteered with the Irondequoit Travel Soccer Club and the Hockey Boosters. “Sue always wanted to help, she had energy, talent, and a caring nature to bring people together and get things done, and that is the real essence of PTA volunteering. Sue lived it,” said Board of Education President Chuck Perreaud. Mrs. Dreher was also given the Distinguished Service Award. In honor of these awards, the PTSA donated $1,000 to the Suzanne Dreher Memorial Scholarship Fund set up through the West Irondequoit Foundation.

Grace Kavaliunas is a resource room teacher at Iroquois School; she also served in that capacity at Irondequoit High School. “Her relationship with students is above and beyond a teacher-she prepares them for life in the outside world,” said parent Lynne Hapeman.

Gretchen Tortora is an employee at Brookview School, and has served on a variety of PTSA committees; she is currently the Vice President for School Affairs. In her awards speech, Keri Colicchio described Mrs. Tortora, “Excellence in leadership is acquired by people who have a strong sense of vision as well as the passion necessary to make that vision a reality.”

The West Irondequoit Central PTSA meets monthly, on Tuesday evenings, in the Suzanne Dreher Conference Room at the District Office. For a complete schedule of PTSA events, visit www.wicptsa.org

PHOTO ATTACHED

Photo Caption: Gretchen Tortora, Paul Dreher, accepting on behalf of his wife Suzanne, and Grace Kavaliunas received the PTSA Honorary Life Award for their service to the children and youth of this community.

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For further information contact Carol Crumlish, WICSD Director of Public Information @ 336-3067 or 703-6460.