GSJSHS’s Sydney Proctor Named Placerville Kiwanis Student Service Leader of the Month

11:15 AM - November 17, 2021

The Kiwanis Club of Placerville recently presented Sydney Proctor with the Student Service Leader of the Month award for November because of her determined efforts as President of the new Golden Sierra Junior Senior High Schools (GSJSHS) Key Club. Kiwanis hosts student leadership Key Clubs at El Dorado, Ponderosa, Union Mine and Golden Sierra Junior Senior High Schools where students organize programs to benefit the community. After receiving the award, Sydney expressed, “I am honored to receive this award and am excited to work with my fellow students at Key Club. The experience has helped me reach out to others when connection is so important.” 

Brian Veerkamp, Placerville Kiwanis President, explained, “Our student service leaders are selfless and passionate about their work that benefits many. I’m very proud of Sydney and her long listing of accomplishments.”  

Bill Sammons, GSJSHS Key Club Faculty Advisor, noted, “I wish to thank the Kiwanis Club of Placerville in recognizing Sydney Proctor as service leader of the month. Sydney courageously stepped forward into the leadership role of a brand-new club at her school this year. This is in addition to the fact that Sydney is new to the school this year herself. She has demonstrated the confidence to seize her educational opportunities to the fullest and become involved in her school outside of the classroom.”  

Mr. Sammons continued, “In her new role as Key Club President, Sydney has made the Key Club a warm and inviting place for her fellow students to become involved in. She has worked cooperatively with her fellow officers and club members to get the new club off to a successful start. Sydney has proven to be very mindful in seeking out the input of others and making sure that all members have an opportunity to share input and have their voices be heard.” 

Dr. Ed Manansala, El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools and Kiwanis Student Service Leader Award committee member expressed at the award ceremony, “Sydney, we are proud of you and your commitment to your club and community. To put tonight into perspective, there are over 25,000 students in El Dorado County, and we are here to celebrate you tonight and your heart for service.”

After attending the ceremony, BOMUSD Superintendent Jeremy Meyers sent the following message to district staff and families, “We all have reason to be proud of Sydney Proctor and Bill Sammons. They were both celebrated last week as a part of the Placerville Kiwanis meeting. Sydney for her amazing work and Bill for having the care and initiative to bring the Key Club to Golden Sierra. As a part of his comments, Bill said, "I am already glad for all the additional teachable moments."  The meeting was a teachable moment for me as it reminded me there are definitely things to celebrate amidst the constant focus on Covid. Thank you to Bill for starting the club and thank you to Sydney for all her hard work and for just being a great kid.  Please join me in congratulating them both.” 

For more information regarding Placerville Kiwanis and how your student can join a Key Club, call Dina Gentry, Past-President, at (530)457-7597 or visit placervillekiwanis.org  

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