This is a nomination letter that was written for Kim McDonough, who is currently running for the Island Trees Board of Education, and she won for her dedication to the children of the Island Trees school district. I believe this letter shows her commitment and that she would do an excellent job as a Board of Ed trustee.

I am pleased to be writing this letter of nomination to you. I would like to nominate Kim McDonough to win the Honorary Life Award this year. This award is supposed to honor a member of our community that has made a positive, considerable impact in the lives of the children of Island Trees and I know first hand Kim McDonough is doing this on a daily basis.

Even before she even had children in the school, Kim started her "career" when her son was in preschool and she attended a PTA meeting. She always knew that she wanted to make a difference and that was just the beginning. She quickly threw herself into helping on committees when most of us in the same grade level were getting acclimated to our children's new home for six hours a day. From there, she started running committees and moved her way up the ladder to eventually become president of the PTA. Kim is always quick to act on any ideas which will make the PTA better and stronger. For her, there is always the quest to make things new, better and different without changing or compromising the purpose for which the PTA serves. From there, she moved to sit on the board of the Island Trees Council of PTAs. Her time is coming to help out with the PTSA as her son moves into the Middle School and I am confident she will be there to help out whenever and however.

As the years have progressed, so has Kim's involvement with the Island Trees community. She is always willing to help with any activities her children are involved in. This year, she became a troop mom when her daughter joined a Daisy troop and helps out whenever necessary. She has taken on many roles in the baseball league from being an assistant coach to managing her daughter's baseball team to sitting on the Board and helping to make decisions that positively impact all children that play the game. When her son became involved with wrestling, she was once again asked to help out, run the finances and assist in organizing a day-long tournament hosted by Island Trees. And once again, she willingly gave her time. Recently, she has become the treasurer of the newly formed Island Trees football league and helped establish the league so that the children of Island Trees had a league to call their own so that they could join and play with other children from their schools. She has successfully come up with new ideas and helped raise the money that is necessary for PTA, baseball, wrestling and football to be all that it should be for the children of our community.

In the past few weeks, she has started a new journey to further her interest in the welfare of the children of the Island Trees community. She has put her name in to be elected to the Board of Education. I'm not sure how much one woman can do but she seems to be able to accomplish many things and to do them well and with the support of many people behind her. The support of many including her family, friends, teachers and principal is a testament to who she is and what she stands for.

No matter the event or the venue, Kim is always seeking the best interests of all children and is willing to make the changes necessary to benefit all the children involved. For all that she does, I am constantly amazed at her dedication, energy and enthusiasm. I am proud to not only call her my co-president this year at Stokes but also my friend and would be honored if she won this award.

Kristen Daum

M.F. Stokes PTA co-President