Leaders Honored For Helping Students

DAYTON -- Four represen- tatives accepted Community Leadership Awards in honor of the Dayton Parent Teacher Stu- dent Organization and Winder- mere Realty on Thursday, June 14 in Dayton.

The annually presented Community Leadership Award was accepted by Angie John and Ashley Kilts on behalf of the Dayton Parent Teacher Student Organization.

"The organization has been really active in the last three years," Superintendent Doug Johnson said.

Most recently the organiza- tion has been recognized for its support of upgrading the Dayton Elementary School playground material to keep kids safe, ac- cording to a press release from Johnson. The organization raises money to bring in extra supplies for elementary students. The organization is supportive of the teaching staff and encourages family involvement in educa- tion.

Blaine and Julie Bickelhaupt accepted the other award on be- half of Windemere Real Estate. The Bickelhaupts' support has been instrumental supporting a reading program called "Books for Bailey," according to the release.

The program encourages children to read by offering a stuffed dog as a listening part- ner. The dog, Bailey, doesn't criticize the children for their reading skill or make them ner- vous which helps build up their confidence, with the goal being allowing them to ultimately read in front of other people, Johnson said. At the end of the school year, students are invited to the Windermere office for a reading party, according to the release.

"The entire office looks forward to their visits as we cel- ebrate many milestones," Blaine said. "We wanted to reward them for their success and keep them excited about reading. Our hope is that this program would instill the idea that with hard work and dedication comes great achievement and success."

Blaine said he is proud and grateful of the Dayton commu- nity and this program is a way to say thank you.