Features
2010 Department
RECognitions
In 2009, The Parks & Recreation Department initiated two award
programs to recognize service to the community.The ABCD (Above
& Beyond the Call of Duty) award recognizes individuals who have
displayed dedication and passion to community recreation and who
have exhibited effort that goes well above and beyond expectation.
This will be an annual award presented at a recreation department
special event. For 2010, there were ten individuals who received the
ABCD award, RECognizing their efforts.
Michelle Fahey – Michelle has been working with the Department as a Camp Counselor at Camp Discovery since the summer
of 2005. Currently she is the First Aid Responder at Camp Discovery, Michelle is always providing some TLC Care to campers, so
much so that she often gets the suspiciously repeat visitors to her station. When not at the Camp or College, Michelle is most likely seen
at the Recreation Office working the front counters and providing
top notch customer service. Starting this fall, Michelle will be with
the department full-time, as she has accepted a job as Administrative
Secretary.
Michael McKinney – Mike works at Camp Discovery as the
“Hodge Podge” counselor and has worked with the 4th R program.
Mike has unlimited creativity and energy making him the ideal
“Hodge Podge” counselor. There is no limit to Mike’s creativity and
he jumps right in to participate in the activities to make sure it is fun
for the kids. When Mike is at Camp or at a 4th R site, you know it is
going to be a fun day.
Beth Rounce - Beth has been a main-stay in our pre-school program staff. There is a reason why Preschool Parents wait in line at
4:00am to get into Mrs. Rounce’s classes. Beth, the constant professional makes sure that every detail is perfect and will not sleep until
every child’s craft is completed. Beth is often seen at the Department
on a Sunday; prepping for that weeks class, or first thing in the morning making sure the White Boards are looking good. She is loved by
her students, parents and peers.
Tanya Iwanski - Tanya a volunteer with Department, is the driving
force behind the start of our Women’s Basketball League. After years
of failed attempts to get a league operating, Tanya injected the efforts
with her passion for the game and great personal skills and got the
league up and running. She continues to be involved not only as a
player but as the face of the league, constantly finding ways to make
improvements and recruit new participants. Tanya also has assisted
the department as a volunteer coach and open gym coordinator.
Shaun Earley – Shaun played in the Recreation Department basketball league for most of his youth, today he gives back to the league
as a volunteer coach. Shaun has been coaching for four years, without a child in the program, he serves as a great role model for all kids
on his team and in the league. Shaun does it right; he coaches to win
but never at all costs. He exemplifies the ECHO philosophy and displays great respect for the players, fellow coaches and officials.
Mike McKinney and
Michelle Fahey with two campers.
Ashley Kitchens - Ashley began as a summer intern with the department and immediately displayed her; work ethic, organizational
skills and professionalism. She has served as the Director of the Adventure Unit Camp (Ages 12-15), Mighty Mites Basketball Coordinator and in the office for administrative support for the past two
years. This past year, Ashley took a lead role in getting the department’s new web site running. She takes great pride in her work and
the improvements to the site are in large part due to her efforts and
creativity.
Paul Macchi – Paul works with department year round. In the
summer he is a Counselor and F.A.R. at Adventure Unit Camp and
in the winter Paul works with both the adult and youth basketball
programs as a scorekeeper. At Adventure Unit, Paul always finds a
way to keep it fun and he constantly steps up to go above and beyond
the job description to make sure all children can have a great experience. Paul is also always willing to fill in where ever he is needed
and in doing so will always bring his crazy energy with him.
Paul Macchi and Ashley Kitchens.
Features
2010 Department RECognitions continued
Gary DeGostin – Gary has coached his children through the bas-
Peter O’Brien – Pete assists the department in many ways; as a
ketball program for years and this past year volunteered again after
his children have moved on from the league. He Gary serves as a
great role model for the players, parents and fellow coaches. He also,
exemplifies the ECHO philosophy and displays great respect for the
players, fellow coaches and officials.
volunteer basketball coach, as a weekend facility monitor and as the
department’s general handy man. Pete is one of the best when it
comes to making sure that weekend renters enjoy their experience.
Pete finds a way to get things done and they is sure that everything
is in place afterward so it doesn’t negatively impact the next user.
John Harris – John is a Water Safety Instructor at Veteran’s Me-
The South Windsor Parks and Recreation Department Hall of Fame
has been established to recognize those individuals whose outstanding dedication has contributed immeasurably to the establishment,
maintenance and continuation of community recreation in South
Windsor.
morial Park Pool. He will do anything to make sure his participants
get the most out of their lessons. John takes an personal interest in
each participant and has a particular interest in teaching people with
special needs, John even spent his winter becoming certified in adaptive aquatics.