Left to Right - Heather Buffington (Northern Lebanon School District, Patricia L. Walter, Diane Maclay,
District 7 C/I Chair (Cumberland Valley School District).
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Rodney
S. Miller Distinguished Service Award
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The PMEA District 7 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Patricia L. Walter on Saturday, March 16, 2002 at the Elementary Song Fest. The Song Fest was hosted by Lebanon School District, the district from which she retired. The award was presented by her daughter, Heather Buffington, Northern Lebanon School District and District 7 Chair of the Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Diane Maclay.
Here are some highlights of the many accomplishments of Mrs. Walter. She developed one of the first elementary handbell programs in the state. For nineteen years they performed for many organizations and churches in the area. They also performed at PMEA conferences three times. In 1998, they were featured in a PMEA News article because their video clip had been part of the World's Largest Concert. Twice she served as clinician for the Malmark Handbell Company at PMEA Conferences. Two times she was awarded an Exemplary Handbell in Education Award by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
She was the church choir director at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Lebanon for nine years, and taught piano, voice and saxophone privately for nineteen years. She has performed as vocal soloist for many church and civic functions in several states. She hosted the District 7 Elementary Song Fest in 1997. She has received many awards and honors including the PMEA 25 Year Award, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Read and Ring scholarship winner, and Outstanding Young Woman Award. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary teachers society. She is a nationally registered music teacher with MENC. She was elected by her peers to the Lebanon County Educational Honor Society, and was the recipient of the Lebanon Valley College Alumni Award Citation. Currently, she directs a church bell choir, and a boy choir. She is the president of the Harmonia Music Club in Lebanon, teaches piano workshops for adults, and teaches music to elementary education majors at Lebanon Valley College.
During the presentation,
Heather Buffington said, "She always has activities in her life that give
her opportunities to teach music. I am very proud of her successful career.
I am thankful
that she has been so willing to give of herself and her talents. She
was a volunteer mentor for my first year of teaching and is now my
chorus accompanist. She has touched the lives of countless students
and adults with her love of music and excellent teaching
style."
Click here to read the Distinguished Service Award eligibility guidelines.
