Each year, the Pine Bush Central School District presents the Christopher Bement Memorial Award to a staff member who goes above and beyond in their service to the children of Pine Bush.
This year, the award was presented to David Voelker, a district employee for 30 years, 27 of which have been at Circleville Middle School.
Click here for the video presentation of the 2022 Christopher Bement Award.
Davy, as he is affectionately known to his colleagues, is a member of the school’s maintenance/custodial team. He is exceptional at his job – arriving by 5:30 a.m. each day – and keeps his wing of the school clean and disinfected, something that is so vital in these times. According to the letters nominating him for the award, everyone in the building, students included, love and respect him.
“If you ask Davy for anything he will get it for you immediately,” said Bobbi Walter, a special education teacher at CVMS in her nomination letter. “Everyone here always has a kind word to say about him.”
“Davy takes more pride in his work than any other person I know and no one deserves (this award) more,” said Lisa Frey. “He always is kind with a heart so huge, you can’t help but try to do better and approach things yourself with a more positive attitude.”
“David Voelker is a humble person who takes pride in his work, will help anyone in need, and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep CVMS in tip top shape,” said Angie Meier, a now-retired math teacher at CVMS. “We need more David Voelkers in this world as he is a role model that inspires me to be a better, more efficient caring individual.”
Davy received his award at the convocation gathering at CVMS, in the presence of many of his colleagues, who cheered enthusiastically when Superintendent Brian Dunn announced his name.
The Christopher Bement Award was first presented in 1988, named in memory of the son of former Superintendent of Pine Bush Schools Frederick Norwood Bement, who served as superintendent in the district from 1969 to 1980. Christopher graduated in 1975 from Pine Bush High School and died in a car accident in California in 1987. The award is presented to a district staff member who goes above and beyond in service to the children of Pine Bush, as many of Christopher’s teachers did for him.