Kathy Keyser (left) and Dawn Steward (right)
At its annual meeting on April 14, the Questar III Board of Education presented the G. Lucius Cary Leadership Service Award to Kathy Keyser and Dawn Steward.
The G. Lucius Cary Award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions through volunteer service – reflective of the values and beliefs of Questar III. The award, named for former Questar III board member G. Lucius Cary, is the board’s highest honor.
Keyser and Steward were nominated for their outstanding service to others throughout Columbia County.
Keyser has served as a school nurse at Taconic Hills CSD since 2000. She has been an advisor to the student council, helping to raise money for the Blue Star Mothers, Humane Society, State Police, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. She has also collected food for local pantries and shoes with the Kiwanis Club. She also supports police agencies throughout Columbia County as part of 518 Backs their Blue. She also has been a member of the A.B. Shaw Ladies Auxiliary.
In 2011, Steward and her youngest sibling Marie designed a logo for t-shirt sales to support her oldest sister and another community member who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon after that logo became Our Community Cares (OCC), a non-profit that provides financial and emotional support to Columbia County residents facing a hardship. Ten years later, Steward remains active with OCC, serving as the organization’s treasurer. She also volunteers with Meals on Wheels, The Recovery Kitchen, Relay for Life, and others.
“Thank you to Kathy and Dawn for their dedication and selflessness. They have both generously given their time to help others through volunteer service and we are grateful to recognize their continuing efforts,” said Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz.
