West Liberty-Salem School District presented the first recipient of the Gloria Schrand Volunteer of the Year Award during their recent board of education meeting.
Judy Legge was recognized with the award honoring an individual who has dedicated their time to making a difference in the district, named in memory of long-time volunteer Gloria Schrand.
More than 10 years ago, Legge began volunteering in the athletic office and in the first-grade classrooms.
When she started volunteering, she would come each morning and check in with Athletic Director Jake Vitt in the athletic office. If nothing was needed, she would head to first-grade to assist in the classroom.
During the height of the Covid pandemic, classroom volunteer opportunities shifted and she began spending most of her time in the athletic office.
This school year, Legge spends each morning arriving at 8 a.m. and usually leaves around noon. She often assists with secretarial duties in the office, but spends most of her time helping track student physicals, run copies, and keeping schedules up to date in the computer for Vitt.
Legge has also taken on a key role in the success of the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet.
“I could not imagine my office without Judy’s help,” Vitt said. “She is a true asset to the daily operation of the Athletic Department. She will never know how much her help is appreciated. She is very deserving of this award.”
Schrand’s niece, Cindy Dallas, and her sister, Linda Sparks, sister, attended the meeting to share a few words about Mrs. Schrand’s impact on both the West Liberty-Salem and West Liberty communities.
Schrand was a volunteer for 11 years at West Liberty-Salem Elementary School. She was originally from this area, but she and her husband moved to North Carolina where they both worked for Underwriters Laboratory.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Schrand moved back to Ohio to help take care of her mother.
Mrs. Schrand started volunteering after her retirement, first helping out in the computer lab. When Mrs. Dallas moved to teach second-grade, she followed.
“She came to school faithfully and daily in the mornings until noon. She loved helping students and staff. Mrs. Schrand enjoyed organizing minutes tests and assisting students who needed additional help,” presenters said.
“One of her biggest joys was when a student outside of school would acknowledge her with a smile, kinds words or even a hug.”
Throughout the years, Mrs. Schrand donated several doors for West Liberty-Salem students to decorate and sell at the Doors of EnCOURAGEment fundraiser for the Logan County Cancer Society.
“She made an impact in our school, community, church and among friends and family. We are very honored to create this award in her memory,” district officials said.