The Lions Club of Worth has honored Meghan Hurley and Jennifer Klein, the faculty sponsors of the Leo Club from Shepard High School, for their volunteering efforts this year.

Lions Club President John Bruce and Leo Club Liaison Ed Palenik presented the award, which recognizes Hurley and Klein “for dedicated service in fulfilling the roles of educator, motivator, counselor, liaison, and humanitarian.”

Both Klein and Hurley stressed that service provides its own reward, a lesson their students have learned as well.

“I chose to sponsor Leo Club because I have participated in community service ever since I was in high school. Performing community service has taught me so much and I wanted to help our students have the opportunity to learn as well,” Klein said.

With like-minded students to lead, managing Leo Club has proved mutually beneficial.

“Sponsoring Leo Club has been a great experience and I’m proud to be recognized for it. We have some of the best students in Leo Club here and I think this award shows that both the students and the sponsors are doing something right,” Klein said.
Leo Clubs, the high school affiliates of Lions Clubs International, organize exclusively to perform service activities in their communities.

This year, the Leo Club from Shepard has sponsored its annual Moonlight Harvest Senior Citizen Dance in November; participated in the Anti-Violence Walk in September; volunteered to read with preschoolers at the Crestwood Public Library and Palos Heights Public Library; and, will participate in the Walk for Sight in Oak Lawn on April 18.
 

Caption: From left, (front row) Ed Palenik of the Worth Lions Club, faculty co-sponsors Megan Hurley and Jennifer Klein, and Worth Lions Club President John Bruce appear with many of the Leo Club members from Shepard High School.