The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education presented a ROSE Award (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) Monday to Lonna Mead, a paraprofessional at Eisenhower Elementary School.

Superintendent Khris Thexton stated, “Lonna is a person of many talents. She works as a Special Services paraprofessional and also serves the district working in maintenance during the school year, during school breaks and during the summer. Lonna strives to create an environment where all students are successful.

“Quiet in her demeanor, it would be easy to not see all that Lonna does for USD 428 unless you listen to those she works with and hear all of the things that Lonna does for them. It is not uncommon to hear of Lonna taking on an additional duty to help cover for an illness or spend some extra time with a student because he or she is having a hard day. Lonna has a calming nature that puts others at ease when she is around them.

“Lonna is quick to offer her help wherever it is needed and rarely misses a day. During the shutdown last spring, Lonna single-handedly painted all of the trim at Eisenhower. She did so with joy and special dedication, knowing that she was helping to create a welcoming space for students.

“Lonna is not the type of person to share all of the extras she does around Eisenhower or the district and is not likely to feel especially deserving of this honor, which is why she is so worthy. Lonna does whatever she can to help students, whether that is assisting students in the classroom or working to create a safe and inviting place for all of us. Lonna is the reason why so many of us love coming to work each day. She exemplifies the reason the ROSE Award was established.”