The Kiwanis Club of Wellington created the Champion of Children Award in 2021 to honor a community member for their donation of time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of children in the Wellington community. The recipient may initiate a program or event that improves the lives of children by providing services needed or enjoyed by children. The club hopes to issue an award quarterly. Recipients receive an engraved Champion of Children Yeti mug, purchased from Farm and Home Hardware.
Ayers Ratliff, K-Kids Advisor, Duke Pride Festival, Morris Furcron Peterson Nut Sale, Wellington School Board Member
Tina Drake, Wellington High School Principal
Karen Wright, Wellington High School Secretary
Karen Wright Retired Wellington High School secretary Karen Wright was honored October 21, 2021 with the Wellington Kiwanis Club Champion of Children award. Wright retired in June after 30 years with Wellington Schools. She opted to retire when Principal Tina Drake announced she was leaving to take a similar opportunity in Cincinnati. She said Drake was the 14th high school principal that she worked for her during career. She also noted there have been 15 different superintendents leading the district during her tenure. A graduate of Midview High, she was named an honorary alumni of Wellington High for her work with the Wellington Alumni Association. Her high school associates said she was very organized and she knew the many ins and outs of the school’s everyday operations. She was an advocate for Duke pride and traditions. She told the Kiwanians she considered working through the pandemic the last two years the most challenging period of her career. She said she worked closely with Drake to make sure there was a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, which was held outdoors in the parking lot, followed by a parade through town following the graduation ceremony. “The problem we faced was it seemed every time we made plans, things changed because of the pandemic,” she said.
She trained many office aides, teaching them the importance of customer service, phone etiquette, filing and taking and delivering messages in a timely manner. She said many students have returned and told her the soft skills they learned in the high school office were skills they have come to value in their professional careers. Over the years, she has been invited to several weddings and baby showers of former office aides.
Join us to meet the Director of Lorain County Metro Parks as he shares their Strategic Plan. You may also enjoy refreshments and networking with other community members.
Located at the Wellington Reservation on Jones Road, one of Wellington's "hidden gems". ... See MoreSee Less
The eight Lorain County Kiwanis clubs of Ohio hosted new Ohio Kiwanis Governor Jason Miller of Bowling Green at Lorain County Community College Tuesday night. Governor Jason helped install new Kiwanis officers, including Wellington's officers. From left to right are Treasurer Amy Szmania, Immediate Past President Jenny Arntz, President Carol Burke and Secretary Pam Mazzone. This is believed to be the first all-women officer slate in the 99-year history of the Wellington Kiwanis Club. (Missing from the photo is President- elect Tess Reiland) In addition, new member Ashley Deaton was installed as the club's newest member by the Governor, who officially assumed his duties October 1. Also, the Kiwanis clubs collected a bedding drive for the Good Knights program. Service is our game because Kids Need Kiwanis. ... See MoreSee Less
Champion of Children Recipients
The Kiwanis Club of Wellington created the Champion of Children Award in 2021 to honor a community member for their donation of time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of children in the Wellington community. The recipient may initiate a program or event that improves the lives of children by providing services needed or enjoyed by children. The club hopes to issue an award quarterly. Recipients receive an engraved Champion of Children Yeti mug, purchased from Farm and Home Hardware.
Champion of Children Award Criteria
2021
Karen Wright
Retired Wellington High School secretary Karen Wright was honored October 21, 2021 with the Wellington Kiwanis Club Champion of Children award. Wright retired in June after 30 years with Wellington Schools. She opted to retire
when Principal Tina Drake announced she was leaving to take a similar opportunity in Cincinnati. She said Drake was the 14th high school principal that she worked for her during career. She also noted there have been 15 different superintendents leading the district during her tenure. A graduate of Midview High, she was named an honorary alumni of Wellington High for her work with the Wellington Alumni Association. Her high school associates said she was very organized and she knew the many ins and outs of the school’s everyday operations. She was an advocate for Duke pride and traditions. She told the Kiwanians she considered working through the pandemic the last two years the most challenging period of her career. She said she worked closely with Drake to make sure there was a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, which was held outdoors in the parking lot, followed by a parade through town following the graduation ceremony. “The problem we faced was it seemed every time we made plans, things changed because of the pandemic,” she said.
She trained many office aides, teaching them the importance of customer service, phone etiquette, filing and taking
and delivering messages in a timely manner. She said many students have returned and told her the soft skills they
learned in the high school office were skills they have come to value in their professional careers. Over the years, she has been invited to several weddings and baby showers of former office aides.
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Join us to meet the Director of Lorain County Metro Parks as he shares their Strategic Plan. You may also enjoy refreshments and networking with other community members.
Located at the Wellington Reservation on Jones Road, one of Wellington's "hidden gems". ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
The eight Lorain County Kiwanis clubs of Ohio hosted new Ohio Kiwanis Governor Jason Miller of Bowling Green at Lorain County Community College Tuesday night. Governor Jason helped install new Kiwanis officers, including Wellington's officers. From left to right are Treasurer Amy Szmania, Immediate Past President Jenny Arntz, President Carol Burke and Secretary Pam Mazzone. This is believed to be the first all-women officer slate in the 99-year history of the Wellington Kiwanis Club. (Missing from the photo is President- elect Tess Reiland) In addition, new member Ashley Deaton was installed as the club's newest member by the Governor, who officially assumed his duties October 1. Also, the Kiwanis clubs collected a bedding drive for the Good Knights program. Service is our game because Kids Need Kiwanis. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Congratulations ladies