Staff photo / Bob Coupland The Lakeview Local School District has recognized Margie Petrunia, a 31-year employee and library aide at Lakeview K-8 school. Petrunia has been selected by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as an Ohio RISE Employee of the Year. Petrunia was recognized at a recent school assembly. From left are Lakeview Middle School Principal Josh Vastag, Petrunia, Lakeview Superintendent Ashley Handrych and Lakeview Elementary School Principal Eddie Mackiewicz.

CORTLAND — For the past 31 years, Margie Petrunia has assisted Lakeview students and staff as a library aide, and now the school district is honoring her as one of two people from Ohio selected for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Recognizing Inspirational School Employee of the Year.

Lakeview elementary and middle school staff surprised Petrunia last week at an assembly where she was presented with Ohio’s RISE Award. Members of the state Department of Education and Workforce presented her the award.

Superintendent Ashley Handrych said she nominated Petrunia for the award after getting a request from the ODEW seeking to honor classified employees of a school district.

“She has done exemplary work in the field and supports the students of the district, and I felt she should be nominated for this award,” Handrych said.

Petrunia is now a finalist for the national award. Handrych said each of the 50 states has two nominees, with a selection to be made in April.

“When I came to the assembly, I had no idea what was going on. I was very surprised and a little overwhelmed,” she said

As a finalist, she and one other from Ohio will go to the national event to be honored and hear who was selected as RISE Employee of the Year.

Petrunia, a Cortland resident, has worked as a library aide and a cafeteria aide. Her entire career has been at Lakeview schools, having worked at the elementary, middle and high schools.

“I like spending time with the kids and helping them. I like the parents and the people in the community. Lakeview is a great community. Whatever I can do, I am there to help,” Petrunia said.

She assists students from all classes when they come to the library. Library aide duties include checking out books for the students and helping them get what they want.

Handrych said she feels Petrunia is a strong candidate for the national award.

“I feel Margie has a very good chance at getting this award. Margie is one in a million. She has done so much for our district in addition to being a library aide,” Handrych said.

Petrunia said she is nearing retirement and plans to continue being active with the school’s food pantry and Angel Tree programs.

“She has a legacy of service here appreciated by everyone. She always steps up to help whoever she can,” Handrych said.

The RISE Award was created by Congress in 2019 and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. The award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service to their school communities.