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Schools

Annual Award Ceremony Honors School District's Best

The Distinguished Service Award, Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards were announced along with recognitions for retirees and long-time employees.

When the Mehlville School District's 2011 Distinguished Service Award winner was informed of the honor, he at first misinterpreted the intent of the call.

"I thought, 'They want me to introduce the winner,'" Jim Schibig said when he accepted the award at the district's 30th annual Recognition Night Thursday at Genesis Catering and Banquet Center in Mehlville .

The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual who exemplifies performance, service, character and contribution to the Mehlville School District. Schibig spent decades at the district first as a teacher and then as an assistant principal and principal. After retiring, he remained active, co-chairing the district's COMPASS I and II community outreach programs. He then helped lead the Proposition C tax increase last fall by serving on the disrict's Restore the Pride committee.

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"He has been a great volunteer. His service didn't stop with his employment," said Mehville School Board President Venki Palamand, who cited Schibig's character and selfless giving to the district as reasons for the award.

Schibig called the recognition "a real honor" and said his career in education and continued involvement has a common source.

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"I love kids," he said. "I care a lot about this community and the kids in the school district."

Schibig also stressed that he believes the district must continue to keep up its communication efforts with the Mehlville community at large to improve the educational opportunities it offers.

"I just think it is so important. We can't make decisions without the input from the parents and the community," he said.

The district also handed out Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards for each school and building, applauded its retirees and gave recognitions for years of service with the district.

Central Office secretary Kathy Hardin managed to land in all three of those categories. She is retiring after 30 years with the district and was named as Employee of the Year for the Central Office building. Each time Hardin's name was called, she received a standing ovation from the crowd of her peers.

"It was wonderful," she said, describing her workplace as a second home and one she will sorely miss.

"It's just nice people and there's a whole family atmosphere," she said. "Over the years, it has become not a job, it's just where you go."

Thirty-five-year veteran Judy Catalana, a teaching assistant, also said coming to work didn't exactly feel like a job.

"This is a service, a service we give our kids," she said. "It's such a vibrant community and there is such enthusiasm (among school district staff)."

That enthusiasm was on full display Thursday as the packed catering hall periodically erupted in cheers and applause complete with whistles, poppers and pom-poms. Music teacher and Bierbaum Elementary School Teacher of the Year Alison Helmer cited close connections among faculty as the reason for the festive air.

"Everybody is friends. The support that you get from your building is highlighted on this night," she said.

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