Michael Buckley was a valued employee of Groveport Madison Schools for 27 years. He was a teacher, counselor, drug and alcohol counselor, and director of the Youth to Youth Program at the high school until 1996. Due to staff reorganizations that year, Michael was asked to work at Sedalia Elementary. Originally hesitant - having never worked with elementary age students - he quickly came to love his new position. Likewise, his students grew very fond of Michael as well.
Through his work, Michael had a positive impact on the lives of many students as well as his coworkers. His compassion and care for others helped students gain confidence and a real sense of self-worth. Sadly, Michael was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was only able to work at Sedalia until 1998. On May 4, 1999, he lost his battle with the horrible disease, leaving behind a wife, two daughters, a mother, and three sisters.
In 2000, former coworkers, Linda Potts, and Jeanne Grubb championed the creation of the Michael Buckley Citizenship Award to honor his memory. Each year, Sedalia Elementary awards one student with the honor, and this year’s recipient is Gulraiz Nasir. In total, 14 students were nominated by their peers as representative of good citizens who go out of their way to help others. Those students, in addition to Gulraiz Nasir, were Noelle Miller, Savanah Gacnik, Adrienne Woods, Demoria Mitchell, Jackson Stauffer, Abbey Matthews, Ella Kellenbarger, Alivia Larue, Sophia Fletcher, Gavin Gilpen, Olivia Burholt, Gabrielle Erbse, Dominic Boring, and Samuel Robinson.
An assembly was held at Sedalia recently to honor all the nominees. Fourth and fifth-grade students, parents of the nominees, Sedalia staff, Board members, Superintendent Garilee Ogden, and Deputy Superintendent Jamie Grube were all in attendance to congratulate these outstanding citizens. Congratulations to Gulraiz and all the nominees.
Michael Buckley Citizenship Award winner, Gulraiz Nasir with
Superintendent, Garilee Ogden
Front Row (left to right): Ella Kellenbarger, Sophia Fletcher, Gavin Gilpen, Olivia Burholt, Gabrielle Erbse,
Dominic Boring, Samuel Robinson, Gulraiz Nasir, Superintendent Garilee Ogden.
Back Row (left to right): Noelle Miller, Savanah Gacnik, Adrienne Woods, Demoria Mitchell, Jackson
Stauffer, Abbey Matthews, Alivia Larue