Avon School Board Recognizes Colleen Martin Among Avon Achievers

The Avon Board of Education is honoring an Avon High School Eagle Scout, middle school gym teacher who died of cancer this fall, middle school custodian who served in the military in Afghanistan, and a Thompson Brook School parent and nurse for organizing this year's juvenile diabetes walk.

Congratulations to the school board's Avon Achievers:

• Gregory Oberhausen, an Avon High School student, is being recognized for "constructing three benches in the parent pick-up area at Avon Middle School" as his Eagle Scout project, according to the board agenda. The board said that "the benches have had an immediate impact for students waiting for rides. The benches are also a welcome addition to the AMS landscape." 

• Colleen Martin, a former Avon Middle School gym teacher who died of cancer this fall, is being honored as an Avon Achiever posthumously "for her 26 years of service" as a teacher and coach, according to the agenda. The board said that "knowing that she had such a short time left due to her terminal illness, Colleen chose to spend her remaining days with the people that mattered most to her, her family, colleagues and students. She will be missed." 

• Manuel Rivera, an Avon Middle School custodian who deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2012, is an Avon Achiever this month in honor of "his brave service in Afghanistan," the agenda said. The board commended "his willingness to share his experiences during the Veterans’ Day assemblies have given Avon Middle School students a greater appreciation of the great sacrifices veterans have made." 

• Denise Schmittlein, parent of a Thompson Brook School student, and Ellen Farrell, Thompson Brook School nurse, are being recognized for "their collaboration in organizing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walks," according to the agenda. Because of their service, "this event has raised close to $19,000 this year and over $76,000 in the past five years. Their commitment to offering this event to the students of Thompson Brook School and to JDRF have become a tradition that brings the school community together for the sole purpose of benefiting others," the board said.