School volunteers get their Cardinal Wings

Board of Education presents nine volunteers with symbolic pins at a reception on May 14.

By: Lea Kahn
   Nine volunteers who have taken the Lawrence Township public schools under their wing have been presented with symbolic wings of their own by the Lawrence Township Board of Education.
   The volunteers received the newly created Cardinal Wing — a specially designed pin — at a reception in their honor May 14. The cardinal is the Lawrence school district mascot.
   At the reception, sterling silver Cardinal Wings were given to Edward Freeland, JoAnn Lupo, the family of the late Nancy McInerney, Victor Murray, Karla Stein and Harold Vereen. Alfred Blanton and Willa Spicer were honored, but were absent. Eleanor Horne received the lone gold Cardinal Wing.
   "We hope this will be the start of a long tradition," Schools Superintendent Max Riley said, adding that the sterling silver and gold wings are a special award for volunteers. The plan is to award the Cardinal Wings annually.
   "We are very grateful for the hundreds of wonderful volunteers who donate many hours at our school buildings," said school board Vice President Laurel Goodell.
   "These people make real differences in the Lawrence schools," Ms. Goodell said during the May 14 ceremony. "The awards we are presenting tonight recognize those who have made significant, sustained contributions to the district."
   The award has its distinctive shape because wings describe what the volunteers do for the district, Ms. Goodell said. The volunteers enable flight, influence direction, promote stability and provide protection, she said.
   School board President Mary DiMartino presented the first sterling silver wing to the family of Ms. McInerney, who was instrumental in making improvements to the school district’s playgrounds. Through her efforts, a special question was placed on the school election ballot for voter approval to spend money on the improvements.
   "Nancy was a tireless advocate for the schools," Ms. DiMartino said. "What really made Nancy special is that she was quiet about what she did. She did what she wanted and then moved on."
   Ms. McInerney died in November 2002.
   Ms. Stein was honored for her work in helping to found an American Cancer Society after-school club to promote tobacco and cancer awareness at Lawrence High School. She also has served as a volunteer for Project Graduation.
   As the president of the Lawrence High School Athletic Booster Club, Ms. Stein helped to raise $55,000 for enhancements to the schools’ athletic programs, said school board member Anne Casale.
   Ms. Stein also helped to organize the Response Able Team (RAT). The group, which was made up of parents, students and administrators, worked with the school district’s maintenance staff to improve the look of the high school and to enhance student social activities, Ms. Casale said.
   Ms. Lupo, the president of the Lawrence Township Education Association and an English teacher at Lawrence High School, was honored for her role in helping to pass a $37.2 million bond referendum to remodel the schools in December 2002. The LTEA is the teachers’ union.
   "Just as this new award begins what we hope will be a long tradition, JoAnn broke new ground this year in her work on behalf of the referendum," said school board member Michael Brindle. "A powerful voice for teachers, JoAnn was articulate in her encouragement to the district to mount a successful campaign to repair and renovate the schools in which our students and teachers work."
   Ms. Lupo accompanied administrators on the community speaking tour, Mr. Brindle said. She traveled to private homes and civic group meetings to bring to life the daily grind of teaching and learning in substandard facilities, he said.
   "No one can recall a teachers’ union president who gave so much, so effectively, to help the cause of volunteerism in our schools," Mr. Brindle said as he presented Ms. Lupo with the silver pin.
   Mr. Freeland, Mr. Murray and Mr. Vereen, who are township residents, accepted their sterling silver cardinal wings for their role in helping to pass the bond referendum. Ms. Goodell, the school board vice president, praised them for their leadership role in gaining approval for the bond referendum. Mr. Blanton and Ms. Spicer, also township residents, were acknowledged for their contributions.
   The lone gold wing was presented to Ms. Horne, vice president and corporate secretary of the Educational Testing Service, by school board member Janardhan Manickam. ETS has its headquarters in Lawrence.
   Through Ms. Horne’s efforts, ETS has supported many community groups, including the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, the Lawrence Historical Society, the Lawrence Task Force on Women and the Lawrence Community Foundation, Dr. Manickam said.
   "(But) of all the contributions she has made to Lawrence, she lists her partnership with the Lawrence Township public schools among those for which she is most proud," Dr. Manickam said.
   Ms. Horne’s support of the partnership with Eggerts Crossing Village, the Lawrence Neighborhood Service Center and the Lawrence Township public schools had made it possible to strengthen literacy skills for preschool children and to heighten students’ academic aspirations, he said.
   "Eleanor has supported the Lawrence Township public schools in significant, tangible ways for many years," Dr. Manickam said. "Her efforts on behalf of children are truly extraordinary and her commitment to Lawrence is an example to us all."