Page 8 - Work Force September 2016

Giving a nod to those who give high school sports a boost: Excelsior Award nominations sought
Do you know a CSEA member who is making a difference in high school athletics, whether through promoting school spirit, coaching a team or volunteering time in school sports programs?
If so, nominate him or her for the 6th annual Excelsior Award,
co-sponsored
by the New
York State
Public High
School Athletic
Association (NYSPHSAA) and CSEA. The union is a longtime supporter of NYSPHSAA’s high school state championships.
CSEA and the athletic association developed the Excelsior Award
to recognize a CSEA member in a
NYSPHSAA school who has helped promote and foster athletic spirit in their local school district. The award also honors an individual who has displayed extraordinary dedication and support of high school athletics
in any role as a parent, coach, booster or
staff member volunteering
or performing
above and beyond their
daily job in a school.
“High school athletics make communities strong,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “CSEA members who work in school districts play an important role
in supporting athletic programs in every part of New York, but so
do our members who are parents, coaches and boosters.”
“We are excited to team with CSEA once again to offer this award to those who go outside their daily routines to promote athletics in their community,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas. “For five years, we’ve recognized individuals making a huge difference and this year we are looking forward to honoring a CSEA member in a NYSPHSAA school once again.”
Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 17, 2016 and can
be submitted by anyone online
at cseany.org or nysphsaa.org (click on “FORMS”). The Excelsior Award will be presented at the 2016 NYSPHSAA Football Championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse in November.
Previous Excelsior Award recipients:
2016: Jill Bonesteel, East Greenbush School District
2014: Michael Paz, Newburgh Enlarged City School District
2013: Jimmy Colgan, Johnson City School District
2012: Gary Van Asselt, Haldane Central School District
2011: Lisa Vanderburg, Levittown School District
2010: Judy Young, East Rochester School District
Stop the violence
CSEA members, including many activists from the Poughkeepsie School District Unit, march with labor and community groups in the second annual Stop the Violence March. Photo by Jessica Ladlee.
8 The Work Force
September 2016