Andrea Klausner…........................... Deirdre Kucharik
June 13, 2008
by Ann Marie Fallon
On Tuesday night at the final Chappaqua PTA meeting for the 2007-08 school, Andrea Klausner and Deirdre Kucharik were honored with New York State PTA Honorary Life Membership. This award is presented annually to individuals for distinguished service to children and youth.
Lea Barth, chair of the honorary life committee, told the audience that the committee had received many nominations this year from the community, and consequently two individuals would be honored. According to Barth, “both served the children in our community to their fullest ability, but they have taken two distinct paths to touch the lives of children.”
Andrea Klausner, president of the Chappaqua School Foundation for the past three years and a member of its board for the last six years, was taken by surprise when introduced by Barth as one of the recipients of this year’s award. Barth cited Klausner’s 20 years of volunteer work for the children in the community as well as the positive impact of the Chappaqua School Foundation in the Chappaqua Schools as reasons for Klausner’s award. Barth described Klausner’s “visionary and devoted” leadership and her “contagious” activism. As she accepted the honor, Klausner stated that she believed that she has been a recipient of much more than she has given through her work with the foundation.
Patti Hart, the incoming vice chair of the Grafflin PTA, presented the second award to Deirdre Kucharik, to her great surprise. Kucharik, a community resident for 30 years, has been a preschool teacher, volunteer religious education teacher and the creator of the now infamous Grafflin Halloween Haunted House. Hart described Kucharik as being truly selfless and a gift to the community. In accepting the award, Kucharik said that it has been her honor to have been involved with so many children.
Recipients of the award receive a pin and certificate from the New York State PTA. Past recipients of the award in New Castle include Janet Wells, Lisa Davis, Harriett Schleifer, Dr. William Flank, Kristy Rudel, Crystal Lang and Joan Corwin
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