Michelle Stanley named Woodside citizen of the year Michelle Stanley named Woodside citizen of the year (May 05, 2004)

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

Surprised may be too gentle a word to describe the feelings of Woodside Elementary School PTA member Michelle Stanley on Saturday after learning she had been named Citizen of the Year.

The May Day parade had just concluded and a crowd of 20 to 300 people had gathered at the outdoor amphitheater behind the school to watch the award ceremony and the third-grade class perform the sword and May pole dances.

"I'm shocked," Ms. Stanley told the Almanac, her smile wide and her arms full of flowers. "I'm just happy I've had these great years at school."

The award comes on the heels of a PTA lifetime achievement award. During her eight years with the PTA, Ms. Stanley's roles have included hospitality coordinator and fundraiser for school field trips, said PTA president Robina Riccitiello. Ms. Stanley was a regular in organizing efforts for the annual auction and the May Day parade. On many a Tuesday evening, she could be found at the school's photocopier preparing issues of the weekly bulletin, Ms. Riccitiello has said.

But with her daughter now headed to Woodside High School, Ms. Stanley said she will be volunteering over there. "It's been eight years and now I'm moving on," she said. "I'll miss the school."

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