Ahead of her family’s move to Michigan, the Board of Education honored former longtime member Stephanie Calhoun with a school bus parade by her house on June 1. A Ledyard resident since 2007, she was recognized for her work on the school board and school PTOs as well as her service as president of the Ledyard Educational Advancement Foundation.

Superintendent Jay Hartling said he came up with the idea for the bus parade, which he felt was a fitting tribute for all Calhoun has done for the schools. He said he was happy it stayed a surprise for her, and the district will miss her work and influence.

Calhoun said her favorite activity in the schools was coordinating the annual Art Day and Science Day at Gallup Hill School, both full-day programs with presenters and immersive activities for the students.

The two things she was most proud of during her tenure in the various school-related groups was working on the school renovation projects and leading a PTO fundraiser to purchase and install folding tables for the Gallup Hill gym so kids could eat lunch outside the classroom.

She said she doesn’t like being the center of attention and was happy with leaving town quietly, and the parade came as a huge surprise to her. She said she started tearing up when she saw the first of about two dozen school buses drive past her house.

“Everything is a team effort, and I’ve been very lucky along the way to have some great teammates,” she said. “It’s a labor of love.”

“Stephanie put in hours and hours for the organizations she worked with, organizing fundraisers, planning activities, attending meetings, and supporting town wide events, education, and kids,” Town Councilor Bill Saums said.

Denise Dittrich, who served with Calhoun on the Gallup Hill School PTO, said she was an amazing friend and advocate.

“We have worked together on countless, tiresome projects for the PTO at Gallup Hill School,” she said, “through the good and not so good but definitely well worth it with Stephanie by my side to see the smiles all hard work brought to the students and many families.”

School board member Joanne Kelley said Calhoun encouraged her to run for the board and served as source of inspiration and knowledge.

“Long before I met her, I would see her name on so many school orgs and fundraising flyers. I always wondered who that superwoman was,” she said. “Once I met her, she was just as impressive in person and the epitome of someone who walked the walk and took on the tasks that needed to be done.”

“Stephanie truly represents ‘it’s all about the kids.’ I have never met a more dedicated volunteer as focused on making schools better for children and teachers as Stephanie,” said Board of Education member Kate DiPalma-Herb, who filled Calhoun’s seat as vice-chair. “I sincerely don’t know how she finds the time to do it all, but I know our town and our district have been truly blessed to have her passion and energy focused on education in Ledyard.”

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