Meridian High's Young receives Servant's Heart Award
Apr. 28—Meridian High School's Rosemary Barefield Young is this year's Servant's Heart Award recipient, the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club announced Wednesday.
Young has been in education for 18 years and has taught kindergarten, first and third grades and is currently teaching exceptional education students at Meridian High School as well as serving as the transitional specialist.
"Rosemary consistently goes above and beyond her duties. She believes every student, regardless of their disability, should be offered the chance to excel in life and reach their full potential as people and as active members of the community," The Civitan Club said in a news release announcing the award. "We are honored to present Rosemary Barefield Young with the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club's Servant's Heart Award for 2024."
The annual Servant's Heart Award is part of a global awareness project which Civitan clubs carry out during Civitans Awareness Month in April. The award honors teachers, paraprofessionals and therapists who support people with intellectual and development disabilities.
"These educators are the unsung heroes in our communities," The Civitan Club said. "They can be found in school classrooms, service providers like The Arc or United Cerebral Palsy, or even vocational settings where important skills are being taught."
Applications for this year's award were judged by groups and individuals outside the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club with hands-on experience working with people with intellectual and development disabilities.
