Grove-crest Elementary School recently honored six people - including the secretary and media specialist at the Pleasant Grove school - with the Alpine School District's "You Make a Difference" awards.
The awards recognize local contributions to public education and are funded through private donations to the Alpine Foundation.The six Grovecrest Elementary recipients, who were nominated by Principal Scot Westover, are Janice Brown, Judy Newman, Jane Daniels, Ann Shumway, Stephanie Anderson and Rindy Olsen.
Brown has been the school's secretary for 20 years. Her greatest qualities are her patience, her love for the school's students and her ability to perform well under pressure, all while maintaining her sense of humor, Westover said.
Newman, who is Grovecrest Elementary's media specialist, is also a specialist in many aspects, he said. "One of the things she enjoys most is reading stories to the students. She is never too busy to personally help a student, teacher or parent."
According to Westover, Daniels and Shumway - the school's PTA co-presidents - have been instrumental in involving more parents and businesses, as well as the whole community, at the school. In fact, the state PTA organization presented the school with an award for the outstanding community involvement program.
Shumway has taken charge of Grovecrest's business-partnership program and Daniels has been involved in the development of the Pleasant Grove Centennial Science Park.
Anderson, a second-grade teacher at Grovecrest, serves as the second-grade chairwoman and on other school committees. Westover said she is well-organized, thorough, efficient, dependable and responsible, and "will always go the extra mile to make something better."
As the school's teacher on special assignment, or vice principal, Olsen teaches students that they have options when it comes to problem-solving. She also supervises the student council and operates the school store, and has a great school spirit, which is contagious to the children and staff, Westover said.