Country School Association of America Seeks Nominations for 2012 Service Awards
There are currently hundreds of individuals who freely give of their time, talents,
and funds to keep up and/or serve as school marms, and/or curators for country
schools throughout the US and Canada. CSAA is committed to honoring these
individuals each year.
Two awards will be given annually. Each award will include a stipend of $300
which can go to the individual or the historical association involved with their local
school house. Winners will also receive free registration to the annual conference for
the year the award is received.
CSAA will award candidates that have demonstrated a long-standing support of their local schoolhouse.
Examples of potential awardees could be (and not limited to:)
• Someone who has donated their time each summer or season to have a schoolhouse open for a day or an event, week after week or year after year.
• An area volunteer who has donated time and time again their talents to make repairs to the local schoolhouse.
• A person who has served as the school marm for years and is always an advocate for the preservation of the schoolhouse.
Two (2) awards will be granted. The first award will be given to an individual that
lives within 100 miles of the annual conference. The second award will go to an
individual who resides at least 101 miles from the CSAA Conference site. Please
check the CSAA website for this year's location.
The selection committee, CSAA Treasurer, and the director of the upcoming CSAA
conference will review the nominations. The selection committee will notify
awardees by mid April, grant a conference voucher, and present the stipend at the
CSAA conference.
DEADLINE for submissions is March 1, 2012
For information and applications, go to: CSAA Service Awards
Artwork: "The Red Schoolhouse" by Winslow Homer
2011 Service Award Winners
Marilyn Boley of Birmingham, Iowa, is one of the two inaugural winners of the Country School Association of America Service Award of 2011. While serving as treasurer on the Morris Park Board, Marilyn has devoted her time to raising funds for school house preservation. “Marilyn has tirelessly dedicated countless hours in the restoration and preservation efforts that have been devoted to the one room schoolhouse at Morris Park,” one nominator stated. Not only did Marilyn tour other country schools in Iowa for ideas and inspiration, she also tackled school improvement jobs both large and small, from raising funds for a new roof to painting and cleaning school interiors. An inspiration to her community, Marilyn Boley has worked tirelessly as fundraiser, recruiter, advocate, and educator in the country school movement.
Pete Canale of Medford, New Jersey, is the other inaugural winner of the Country School Association of America Service Award of 2011. A member of the Medford Historical Society, Pete has worked tirelessly to restore the Cross Keys one room schoolhouse, from painting the interior and exterior to equipping the building with period furnishings. Moreover, Pete has served as a liaison between the community and the school by assisting in the creation of a docent’s handbook and scheduling class visits, among other things. Pete supported the establishment of a living history program for third graders in Medford. “Pete’s enthusiasm for the Cross Keys schoolhouse makes him a worthy candidate for this year’s service award,” one nominator stated.
Photos: Top- Marilyn Boley; Bottom-Pete Canale (speaking)
