Lake Orion is already known for its award-winning schools, teachers, music programs and athletics, but now it can add its award-winning parents to the list ? well at least one parent, that is.
Oakview Middle School parent volunteer Mary Gleason was recently awarded the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators (MAMSE) Parent of the Year award.
‘We are thrilled that MAMSE has recognized Mary for her dedication to the students and staff of Oakview,? said Principal Alice Seppanen. ‘Her support in both planned and spontaneous situations has been invaluable.?
Gleason is the mother of Jake, a freshman at Lake Orion High School, and Adam, an eighth grader at Oakview, and has been actively involved volunteering through both kids? years at Oakview.
Oakview teacher Carl Zoolkoski nominated Gleason for the award, saying that since her youngest son is getting ready to move on to the high school, he felt the award would be a ‘good way to thank her for all the extra time and effort that she has given? to Oakview kids over the past several years.
‘Mary has been an enormous help for Oakview, our team 7A and for all the extracurricular areas that her sons have been a part of,? Zoolkoski added. ‘I am thrilled that she has received such a great honor. She deserves it.?
Gleason said she was very surprised that ‘Mr. Z? nominated her for the award, adding that he is the one who deserves recognition.
‘He’s so amazing and does so much, and to let me help him ? it’s very cool,? she said, noting that she really appreciates Mr. Z taking time out of his busy life to nominate her.
But, if you hear the staff at Oakview talk, Gleason deserves the award all the way.
‘Mary is highly deserving of this honor,? Seppanen said. ‘Not only does she contribute her time and energy to tasks that are planned and organized, but she is in tune with the needs of staff and students when unexpected events occur.?
‘In addition to her hard work, Mary’s kind and gentle manner provides our students with a positive example of community involvement and good citizenship,? she continued. ‘Mary has been a tireless and consistent volunteer at Oakview for the past four years.?
Gleason received her award at a ceremony held on the last day of a MAMSE conference, and said she is thrilled and feels very honored to be recognized among all the great parents at Oakview, let alone the state.
‘There are so many awesome parents at Oakview,? she said. ‘There’s such an energy there.?
‘I love Oakview,? Gleason added. ‘I’m really sad we’ll be moving up to the high school next year.?