OSPA
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Submitted by: Louise Cardenzana
Awards Chairperson

Ten years ago the OSPA Executive Board voted to establish the School Psychologist of the Year Award - an award that would honor a member of OSPA for current excellence in service delivery. It was required, therefore, that at least seventy-five percent of the candidate's time be spent providing school psychological services to students, teachers, and parents, typically in a school setting. Nominations for this award are submitted by the OSPA regional associations. The selection committee is composed of the officers of OSPA, the elected regional representatives, and the Awards Committee members. The person chosen for this award becomes OSPA's nominee for the NASP School Psychologist of the Year Award. In the past ten years OSPA has recognized the special contributions of these people: Ron Davis, Bruce Oppenhiemer, Michael Fuller, Joel Sutton, Joanne Wasco, Juliette Madigan, Valerie Lee, Laura White Gable, James Kline, and Janet Brunez.

This year four regions have chosen to nominate one of their members for this award. OSPA believes it is an honor to be nominated by a region and would like to take a few minutes to recognize each of the nominees. After each introduction would the nominee please come forward to accept a certificate from OSPA President Charles Archer.

The nominee of the Cleveland Association of School Psychologists is Ralph Pajka. He is employed by the Lakewood Public School District. He was nominated because of his dedication to his students, staff, and parents in the Lakewood Schools. He has been a great advocate for children and a strong proponent of intervention assistance teams. He has taken rigorous training in crisis intervention, developed the district's crisis response, and has become a trainer of other staff members. Ralph has helped to train intern school psychologists, has been active in CASP, written articles for the OSPA newsletter, given in-services on a variety of topics, and has kept himself and his colleagues current on federal and state policies and practices. He encourages others, including his interns, to view participation in their professional organizations as a means to meet and learn from other professionals and to fulfill our role as school psychologists. Ralph is respected as a valued staff member who represents his profession with integrity, dedication, and a keen sense of humor. Please join with OSPA in recognizing the contributions of Ralph Pajka to children and to our profession.

The nominee of the Kent-Akron Association of School Psychologists is Patrick McGown. He is employed by Akron Public Schools and was nominated because of the contributions he has made, not only to children and their families, but also to the field of school psychology. After becoming the district psychologist who worked exclusively with emotionally disturbed students, Patrick has been instrumental in establishing the Pupil Adjustment Program and alternative school programs, in conjunction with the Phoenix Program, such as the Saturn School, Overage High School, School Within A School, 9th Grade Recovery, OWA/OWE, and the 8th Grade Initiative. In addition, he is the primary respondent to student threats of violence in the district. He participates in training programs for staff and supervises interns as they rotate through the Pupil Adjustment Program. He has served as president of KAASP and has made presentations for OSPA and NASP. He has served the community through service to the YMCA and Child Guidance Centers. Mr. McGown is noted for his enthusiasm, innovativeness, and genuine concern for the most difficult students. Please join with OSPA in applauding the achievements of Patrick McGown.

The nominee of the North Central Ohio School Psychologists Association is Lew Sarr. He is employed by the Shelby City Schools and was nominated because of his contributions to children, schools, his profession, and his community. Lew developed expanded service options for children, reorganized the referral process, and developed ways to help at-risk students. He implemented a series of parents-as-helper programs, advocated for expanded elementary counseling services, began a peer-counseling program, and a kindergarten intervention program, which NASP included in its book Alternative Service Delivery Options. Lew has mentored new school psychologists and given onsite training to educators, in his and surrounding school districts, on topics such as retention, boosting learning by 30% through simple steps, interpreting test scores, and why children behave. He is certified as a Brain-Compatible Learning Trainer. Lew provides services at the Marion Juvenile Correctional Facility and has served on the boards of the local mental health center and recreation board. In the community he has conducted parenting classes and worked with groups on topics such as managing a child's anger and aggression, Tourette's syndrome, and moral development of children. Lew has presented at OSPA, has been active on many OSPA committees, including chairing the OSPA 50th anniversary celebration committee, and was instrumental in maintaining his regional association. He is described as the consummate professional. Please join with OSPA in recognizing the achievements of Lew Sarr.

The nominee of the School Psychologists of Central Ohio association is Penny Dearth. She is employed by Columbus Public Schools. She was nominated because of her outstanding skills in combining her interpersonal communication skills, technical knowledge, and knowledge of legalities in service to children and families. Penny is recognized for her tact, professionalism, and conscientious preparation in dealing with students, parents, and teachers. She stresses that paperwork that is completed correctly and in a timely manner is one way of being certain that a child's rights are being respected. Penny is noted for her compassion, enthusiasm, and concern for children. Please join with OSPA in honoring Penny Dearth for her dedication to children and to her profession.

These four individuals demonstrate the variety and the quality of skills that are the hallmark of our profession. Their energy and dedication to our profession call upon us to take advantage of the opportunities presented to us everyday.

The selection committee was faced with the very difficult task of choosing one of these individuals as this year's award recipient. It is with pride that OSPA presents the School Psychologist of the Year Award for 2002 to Lew Sarr.