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State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. has been looking for the area's best strongest frontline heroes. Onodaga's Darcey Thilo was recently awarded as on the 23rd District's Frontline Heroes.  

Darcey is a paraprofessional at Leslie’s Woodworth Elementary and President of Leslie’s Educational Support Personnel. When schools first closed in the spring, Darcey was working with several different teachers in their Zoom classrooms throughout the day, as well as working in the building preparing documents for students to use at home in their remote lessons, working with teachers to ensure students still had a quality education experience. As support personnel, Darcey works in many roles for the district, including food service, where much of her work is now focused. In the spring, Darcey and her team worked to ensure students who receive free and reduced lunches at school did not lose that food security by delivering meals to students. She has helped Leslie Public Schools in its expansion of their meal program to free 7 day meal packs for anyone 18 and under, which she helps to distribute on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm at Leslie High School.

Though her role is a lot of work, Darcey says the best part has been being able to step up and help her community, especially seeing students from all over Ingham County utilize their free meal program. Leslie Public Schools and her support staff have worked so hard to ensure this difficult time has run smoothly for its students, and she’s extremely proud of their unit for their efforts. Darcey is known by her colleagues for working constantly for the betterment of staff and their entire district. Every year, she and her unit organize a Christmas celebration at their local bowling alley as a “Thank you” to teachers and education support staff. While they cannot gather to celebrate this year, our community celebrates Darcey’s dedication and tireless efforts to uplift our students and educators through this difficult school year.

Darcey will receive a $100 gift card to The Vault Delicatessen in Mason. Originally purchased by R.C. Dart in 1936, The Vault’s location was Dart Bank until 1969. In 2005, R.C. Dart’s great-grandson Scott Robinson brought the building back to family ownership, continuing their family’s heritage of five generations on the Courthouse Square. The Robinson family’s businesses, which include The Vault, Bestsellers Bookstore, and Darrell’s Market & Hardware, allow you to shop, eat, drink, and read local!

-courtesy story

The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association recently recognized outstanding area players for post season awards. Here are your Leslie honorees:

ALL ACADEMIC

Garrett Mays

Ben Smieska 

John Cranmore

Lucas Mooney

ALL REGIONAL

Nic Carey

Dave Whitehead

Congratulations to all!