District 62 Volunteers to Be Honored

Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 will honor more than 600 volunteers at a Japanese Tea Ceremony and Awards Ceremony from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at the Fountain Blue Banquets and Conference Center, 2300 Mannheim Road in Des Plaines.

Members of the Chippewa Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Scott Duff, will greet guests as they arrive. Mai Takeuchi, a School District 54 student teacher, will demonstrate and guide guests through the ancient art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Following the tea ceremony, nine School District 62 volunteers will receive Distinguished Volunteer Awards from the Board of Education.

The Board will recognize Steven Adams, Marge Fairhead, Michelle Garnett, Lisa Haring, Pragna Mehta, Sharon Miller, Dottie Pinko, Mary Pontikes, and Amy Ure. One volunteer will be named the 2010 Community Relations Ambassador of the Year. The Distinguished Volunteer Awards recognize volunteer dedication and commitment to the students and staff of the district. "The volunteers that were nominated by our staff have 'gone the extra mile' on behalf of the schools where they volunteer and our school district," announced Mindy Ward, Director of Community Relations.

"They represent the hundreds of volunteers that give their time and talents in classrooms, offices, and schools to help our students achieve." Each honoree is involved in our students' academic progress, and through their actions they actively support public education in Des Plaines. This year's honorees model our slogan, "Working Together for our Children," in everything they do.

Tickets are required, and reservations are due Wednesday, May 5. District 62 volunteers are asked to call (847) 824-8070 or (847) 824-1595 to reserve a ticket.