Presentation of the Honorary Life Award by Tom Glenn
I'd like to begin tonight by congratulating the honorees from each building, as well as this year's district honored guest, Mr. Dave Bell. I'd be remiss tonight if I failed to acknowledge the tremendous undertaking it is for the collective PTA units in our district to plan such an auspicious event; an event that is always one of the jewels in the Hicksville social calendar. So I would like to take a moment to express gratitude for the extreme dedication and diligence required on the part of the PTA to not only plan nights such as these, but to also continually deliver such high quality programs to the students and buildings of the Hicksville Public Schools. I know from personal experience as well as from speaking to colleagues throughout the district that we are very fortunate here in Hicksville to have such a phenomenal PTA! So won't you please join me in offering a well-deserved round of applause to all of our PTA units throughout the district!
I have to be honest. I toiled endlessly to find the appropriate way to highlight the many achievements of tonight's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and present it in a manner that would do justice to this individual's legacy in the Hicksville school district. However, for all the time I devoted to the task, I arrived at just two conclusions. For one, it is almost certainly impossible to encapsulate what this individual means to the district, with merely a few words spoken over the course of a few moments. And I know there are individuals in this room who have known the recipient for much longer than I. And perhaps more importantly, there was no way on this green earth I would manage to keep this secret for well over two months from someone who knows EVERYBODY and EVERYTHING that happens in the district. Admittedly, when it comes to exciting news like this, I am not the most tight-lipped person to begin with and heaven forbid someone should put a microphone in my hands (as my colleagues at Dutch Lane will attest!) Where are you Dutch Lane? I'm surprised they're still here; they usually run for the exits when they see me heading for the podium.
I have had the great privilege of knowing tonight's honoree for the better part of the last 8 years. She has been a dedicated teacher in the Hicksville Public Schools for the past thirty-plus years. She epitomizes the word 'professionalism' in all endeavors which she undertakes.
Seldom is the day where you cannot find this individual involved in the planning, designing, or implementing of new initiatives for the Hicksville community at-large. Yet somehow, she is always accessible to lend an ear, collaborate on ideas or simply commiserate when necessary.
Over the years, I have found myself frequently reminding tonight's honoree that 'her wheels are always turning', devising means to get others involved and contributing in substantive ways. More often than not, when those ideas are born a lot of people are called upon to bring them to fruition. Always a believer of the credo that 'it takes a village', this individual excels at including all stakeholders in the process. And not coincidentally, the ideas put forth by our honoree are always impactful and serve the greater good.
Among the strengths and attributes of this individual, are an uncanny knack for organizing large groups to coalesce for the greater good; an incomparable ability to elicit compromise and influence response in a variety of instances; the tenacity and resilience to make difficult decisions in the face of mounting pressure; and like all effective leaders, the ability to draw from others their own unique gifts and to maximize those gifts to their fullest potential. Like the consummate educator this individual has grown into over the course of her career, she has often played the role of mentor as well. Countless many from all departments, have sought her advice based on the merit of the vast knowledge which she commands.
In her personal life, she has exemplified the true essence of balance while working not only as a teacher, but also in the world's toughest job--as a single mother, raising two wonderful and successful children. And as if that weren't enough, she went for the trifecta; she has managed to add the equivalent of a third full time job in yet another role; one in which many in this room know her best--as president of the Hicksville Congress of Teachers.
And as it turns out, this occasion has become a somewhat serendipitous 'sending-off' of sorts as well. As many of you have no doubt heard by now, tonight's honoree will be taking her aforementioned skill set to another role, this time as a Labor Relations Specialist for our state parent union affiliate, the New York State United Teachers. While we wish you best of luck in your new endeavor, know that we will miss you more than words can express and in particular the wisdom, stability and warmth that your years of experience in the Hicksville Public Schools have given us.
Ladies and gentlemen, faculty, staff, administrators, members of the Hicksville Board of Education, it gives me great pleasure to present to you this year's Hicksville PTA Founder's Day Honorary Life Award to none other than Mrs. Joan Deem!