Sheldon named Rotary Club Citizen of the year
MOREAU, N.Y. » South High Marathon Dance co-advisor Jody Sheldon is one the people most responsible for the event’s success.
This year, students raised more than $800,000 for dozens of recipients including local non-profits and people with serious medical conditions.
For her dedication to making the dance possible, South Glens Falls Rotary Club named Sheldon its Citizen of the Year during the group’s annual dinner on Wednesday, at Humbuggs Restaurant in Moreau.
“The dance is so much more than one, two or three people,” Sheldon told Rotarians. “Your support of the Marathon Dance over the years has been outstanding. People in the background make it so special. It’s become so much more than a high school event. It truly is something that takes place throughout the whole community.”
Past Rotary club President Jaime Thompson credited Shel-
don, a South High teacher, for “making the dance a great experience for each student, to help them stay safe and have fun.”
The event has raised almost $6.5 million for worthy causes since its inception in 1978.
“Jody’s always thinking about ways to make the dance better,” Thompson said. “She does a really great job.”
Outgoing club President and former town Supervisor Preston Jenkins was named the club’s Rotarian of the Year.
“Rotary has taught everybody in this club about integrity, ethics and how to help people around the world,” he said.
Thanks largely to Rotary, polio has been eradicated in all but a few countries. The service organization has 1.2 million members in 35,000 clubs worldwide.
Jenkins is handing the reins over to new President Brian Washburn. The Rotary year begins July 1.
The full slate of 201718 officers was sworn in by Lake George Rotarian Tammy Heckenberg, district governor-elect.
In addition to Washburn, new South Glens Falls officers are President-elect Jack Hills, Treasurer Joe Patricke, Secretary Dave Rosebrook, Directors Jaime Thompson and Kim Romano, Sergeant-at-Arms Ed LaFave, info tech administrator Al Ragazzo and past district Governor George Frost.
Frost had nearly 60 years of perfect attendance until recently.
Rosebrook and Patricke were recognized with certificates for their 32 and 16 years of perfect attendance, respectively.
Club member Lana Hills was presented with a gold medallion, by her husband Jack Hills, as the club’s newest Paul Harris Fellow. This honor, named for Rotary founder Paul Harris, goes to individuals who contribute $1,000, or have had $1,000 contributions made in their name, to the Rotary Foundation, which supports Rotary International’s efforts.
Each year, the local club also recognizes two outstanding South Glens Falls students.
Kayli Hammond, a Class of 2017 graduate, was named high school Student of the Year. She’ll receive $500 per year for four years of studies at Siena College.
Hammond couldn’t attend the dinner because she’s at a student leadership conference at Cornell University this week. However, Assistant Principal Raymond Ruby read comments about Hammond from her teachers.
“She’s an amazing girl, always positive, just fun to have in class,” one said.
Others described her as “an intelligent young woman,” “helpful to others,” “always kind” and “always goes above and beyond.”
Cameron Woodard, who’s entering ninth grade this fall, was named middle school Student of the Year. Rotary surprised him with a cake for his 14th birthday, which was celebrated at the dinner.
Woodard is active in school and the community.
“He’s performed absolutely amazingly during the time I’ve known him,” said Kyle Lis, assistant middle school principal. “He always looks for something positive to focus on.”