The month of May is Student Achievement Month for Kiwanis, and this week the group presented the Outstanding Community Service Award to students from Terrace Park Elementary and Mariemont Elementary.

This year, the Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to Jacquelyn Kauffman at Terrace Park Elementary and Anne Stewart at Mariemont Elementary.

Jacquelyn is a 6th-grade student, who has accummulated over 40 hours of community service this school year. She has volunteered at places like St. Thomas in Terrace Park, and with events such as the Bug Fair, PumpkinFest and the book fair. According to 6th-grade teacher and Builders Club advisor, Ann Muennich, “Jacquelyn enjoyed her time as a crossing guard; she was an excellent role model of safety and leadership.” Jacquelyn also volunteered with the Easter Seals Foundation, while visting a loved one in Kansas, bringing therapy dogs to visit the handicapped. “Everywhere she went, she helped however she could,” said Mrs. Muennich.

Anne Stewart, a 5th-grade student at Mariemont Elementary School, has over 40 hours of community service this school year, and “was such a positive presence not only in the school but also in the community,” according to Ericka Simmons, Mariemont Elementary School principal. Teacher advisors Jill Colaw and Sy Miller spoke about Anne’s selflessless and compassion. “Anne helps with her neighbors however she can, making a difference to all of those around her. She walks a younger neighbor to school every day and does chores for a neighbor who is suffering back problems.” Said the neighbor, “She not only helped with the chores around my house, she helped with my spirit.” Anne also helped with the art raffle, pop tab collections for Ronald McDonald House and a bake sale for autism, among many other things.

Congratulations to these two students and role models for us all!

We would like to extend our thanks to Don Guerney and Jack Smith, the Kiwanis members who help with the Builders Clubs in both of our elementary school buildings. Builders Club is dedicated to community service, and is really where the students get an opportunity get involved with leadership opportunities. The Builders Club members in both elementary school buildings assist in various ways around the school building and the community. For more information about Kiwanis, visit mariemontkiwanis.org.