Hamburg Area School District honored five community members and educators for their dedication to helping the children in the district during the sixth annual Arbor Day program on Friday, April 24, at Perry Elementary Center.
“The Arbor Day program was established in the Hamburg Area School District to recognize community members and educations who have had an extraordinary impact on the children of the Hamburg area,” said Steven Keifer, Hamburg Area School District superintendent. “I can say that this is our sixth annual Arbor Day program and it is definitely the best attended Arbor Day program we have ever had.”
The 2015 honorees were Deb Adam, Brooke Adams, Steven Keifer, Cathy Kreitz-Kirn and Leo Lenick. Each honoree is recognized with the planting of a tree at the location of their choice in the Hamburg Area School District. With the tree is a nameplate that has the honoree, date of recognition and the name of the tree to make it educational for students.
Those who nominated the honorees were asked to present them during the ceremony. Every Arbor Day, three to five people are selected by a committee comprised of members from the Hamburg Area School District Board of Directors, Superintendent of Schools, Northern Berks Recreation, Hamburg Area Ministerium and Blue Mountain Wildlife Inc.
Dr. Shawn Gravish, Perry Elementary Center principal, presented Deb Adam during which he recalled her countless hours spent as “she volunteered as a leader, visionary and steward of our district.”
“I’d rather be a presenter than given this honor, but I thank everybody very much,” said Adam. “I hope all of you children continue after you’re done with school and help the district. It’s very rewarding, no matter what you do and the little things build up one after another.”
Adam selected a Pin Oak tree to be planted at the Hamburg Area Middle School.
Duane Crider spoke about Brooke Adams, who was unable to make the ceremony. Adams is the current president of the school board and has been on the board for 25 years.
“He always works behind the scenes, he’s a quiet leader,” said Crider. “I found him to be a good leader on the school board. I found him to be a voice of reason on the school board and I’ve enjoyed working with him.”
Adams selected a Beech tree to be planted at Perry Elementary Center.
Louise Keim presented Steven Keifer, who will be retiring as the superintendent at the end of the school year.
“When I saw the form to nominate somebody, Mr. Keifer came to mind,” said Keim. “I know that the changes you implemented will benefit many generations of children to come.”
“Thank you Louise,” said Keifer. “It’s certainly an honor and unexpected and a little awkward, but I really appreciate the nomination and selection by the committee.”
Keifer selected a Red Bud tree to be planted at Perry Elementary Center.
Holly Smith spoke about Cathy Kreitz-Kirn, who was unable to make the ceremony. Kreitz-Kirn served as an elementary principal in Hamburg for 16 years.
“Her commitment to education is what inspired me to nominate her for this honor,” said Smith.
Kreitz-Kirn selected a Red Bud tree to be planted at Perry Elementary Center.
Teresa McCarthy spoke about Leo Lenick, who was unable to make the ceremony. Lenick was the Hamburg Area High School principal for 17 years and “during that time he was influential in the lives of so many people, he was a humanist.” McCarthy shared stories of how Lenick was always there to support the staff and students through hard times.
Lenick selected a Blue Spruce tree to be planted at Hamburg Area High School.
All honorees received a gift from Perry Elementary Center students and staff made from trees that were on the site prior to the new school being built.
Perry Elementary Band and Strings performed prior to the ceremony and the Perry Chorus performed “A Tree is a Gift” at the close.
A ceremonial tree planting took place by Adam and Keifer at Esther Ludwig’s tree in front of Perry.
