Posted May 16, 2018
In 2015, the Mariemont City School District launched the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School award to recognize individuals in the community who make significant contributions to the school district with their time, service and/or expertise to create a better experience for students.
At the May Board of Education meeting, Chandra Buswell was officially recognized as the 2018 recipient of the Friend of the School award.
“The Friend of the School award is designed to shine a light on a community member who goes above and beyond to better our district” said Mariemont City Schools superintendent Steven Estepp. “Chandra Buswell is someone who fits this description perfectly. Year after year she has taken on countless roles within the district to help our students and staff and her contributions have been invaluable to us.”
Chandra has volunteered her time to every part of the district she has touched. She has served as the president of both Fairfax and Mariemont Elementary PTOs and has taken on roles of committee chairs for the Mariemont Junior High School PTO as well.
In addition to her time on several PTO boards, she has given her talents to other district support organizations, including the Arts Association and the Foundation. She has served as a Foundation trustee, helping to organize the annual FAB Affair, a large fundraiser to support the Foundation, Arts Association and the Boosters. She also has coordinated the Foundation’s scavenger hunt which is held for district families each fall.
But her volunteer tasks continue over to other miscellaneous roles such as the senior boat ride coordinator, Mariemont Elementary talent show coordinator, after school extra-curricular coordinator, Fairfax Elementary retirement celebration coordinator and the Flying Pig water station coordinator. She also served on the Facility Teams this past fall to assist in the development of the Mariemont High School Master Facility Plan.
“She serves each and every one of roles admirably and always has the best interest of the district at heart” said Estepp. “You get the best of Chandra in whatever she is doing.”
The award was created in honor and recognition of retired Board of Education member Marie Huenefeld who received the inaugural Friend of the School award. Huenefeld was first elected to the board in November of 1987 and served through 2015. Other recipients of the Friend of the School award include Rusty Wilson in 2016 and Don Gurney in 2017.