Meadow Brook’s PTA Volunteer, Kelli Oswald, was awarded the Spirit of the PTA. Her nominator, Ashley Porter, stated:
“Kelli is constantly giving her time, talents, and energy to others. But especially to the Meadow Brook community. As a president-elect, she was involved in every event and got to know every board member. She was always ready to learn and anticipated the needs of others.
“When she began her term as president for the 2019-2020 school year, she was all in! Excited about the school’s Olympic theme that year, she embraced it and made every effort to echo the sentiments of the theme that year in every activity planned for our students. She planned and organized a Reading Olympics that all students could easily participate in, no matter their reading skill or level. She found a local author and illustrator to come and share their process of making a book to kick off the Olympics and get the students excited by reading. She also found a way to have a local Olympian, Derek Parra, visit the students to talk about the importance of hard work and perseverance.
“Kelli is not only a creative planner, but she is a creative maker too. Those that know Kelli know that she can do anything and everything from restoring old furniture to baking dozens of delicious treats in a very short window of time. She puts in many hours, including some late nights binge watching the Amazing Race with her husband Justin, building and making fun stuff for the kids. First, was the huge board with the cut out of an Olympic swimmer so the students could visually track our progress as a school in their collaborative efforts to win the Gold Reading Olympics Medal. Not only that, each student had a passport, their own booklet to track their work, as well as a key chain that they could add to with every achievement. One reward for students involved a round of mini golf in the hallways. That was only made possible because Kelli and Justin built a mini golf ramp and brought it to school.
“Kelli had so many great plans for the entire school year. Of course due to COVID-19, with the closure of schools, and the move to online learning, so many of her plans had to be cancelled or reimagined entirely. She was especially excited for Teacher Appreciation Week and was excited for the opportunity to show her love and appreciation for our incredible faculty and staff. Of course, we had to forgo our tradition of decorating classroom doors and planning a lunch. But Kelli was determined to make sure our teachers still received the recognition they deserved. She made yard signs for each one to display in front of their homes so they would know how thankful we are for them.
“After all that she has done and been through the last year, no one would blame Kelli if she chose to take some time away from PTA. But, she is back again this year; and once again, excited to be in charge of Teacher Appreciation Week.”
Congratulations Kelli Oswald for being a Nebo Hero!
Photo: Superintendent Rick Nielsen, PTA Volunteers, Kelli Oswald, Principal Heather Balli, Board President Christine Riley, President Region 10 PTA Joann Brown
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