In 1968, Melva Vogler made a bold move that would forever define her fearless leadership — she informed administrators that schools in the Wallenpaupack Area School District would need to close on March 4 because she was taking the teachers to Harrisburg to march at the state Capitol in support of collective bargaining rights.

This act of courage is just one example of the unwavering commitment to public education that has shaped her extraordinary education and union career.

Melva made a lasting impact on students as a high school math teacher and department chair, advocating for best practices, smaller class sizes, and better resources. In addition to her work in the classroom, she served as president of the Wallenpaupack Area Education Association and president of PSEA’s Northeastern Region, where she tirelessly advocated for teachers’ rights and organized rallies in support of collective bargaining.

Melva’s leadership shaped policies that improved both the educational experience for students and the working conditions for teachers. Her role on the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Board of Trustees, as both a member and chairperson, further secured the financial stability of educators upon retirement, and her ongoing mentorship and involvement in state and national educational organizations continue to strengthen her legacy.

Melva is an extraordinary friend of education and a vital piece of our Association’s history. It is a privilege to recognize her with the Lewis F. Adler Friend of Education Award.

State Rep. Dan Miller has represented parts of Allegheny County, consisting of Baldwin, Mount Lebanon, Upper Saint Clair, and the boroughs of Castle Shannon and Dormont, since 2013.

In his 12 years in office, Rep. Miller has shown how he is a stalwart leader and advocate for Pennsylvania’s students, educators, and education support professionals.

Year after year, Rep. Miller champions bills to provide statewide paid family and medical leave and works to address the mental health crisis in Pennsylvania. He is a sponsor to address the ratio of school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses to ensure that every student in Pennsylvania has access to help, and that employees are not burdened with caseload management.

Earlier this year, Rep. Miller helped introduce House Bill 777, which will ensure that every education support professional in Pennsylvania earns a living wage of at least $20 an hour, and joined hundreds of support professionals and advocates for a Rally for a Living Wage at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.

When he isn’t playing defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cameron Heyward can be found giving back to the greater Pittsburgh community.

To keep his father’s legacy alive, Cameron commits his time to promoting human and civil rights in schools and neighborhoods through his Cameron Heyward Foundation, leaving a profound impact on the lives of students and inspiring community members to help make a positive difference.

The Craig’s Closet Initiative, named after Cameron’s father, provides high school boys with free clothes for interviews, internships, and award ceremonies so they can dress for success and achieve their goals. The Sacking Childhood Hunger Program partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Edgar Snyder & Associates to provide backpacks filled with nutritious foods for students to take home over the weekend throughout the school year. The Rufus and Judy Jordan Literacy Project, named after Cameron’s grandfather, installs Little Free Libraries in underserved communities in the Pittsburgh region and spreads the love of reading with an emphasis on social justice, racial quality, financial literacy, and life skills.

Cameron’s dedication to youth extends to his hometown of Suwanee, Georgia, where he established the Heyward Performance Center at Peachtree Ridge High School for student athletes following in his footsteps.

To make a donation to the Cameron Heyward Foundation, visit www.thecameronheywardfoundation.org.

Lenell Robinson, better known as “Mr. Lenny,” is a custodian of 23 years with the Wissahickon Education Alliance in the Wissahickon School District. In and out of school, you will find Mr. Lenny with a smile, eager to help others by lending a helping hand or serving as a mentor.

Mr. Lenny is a beloved and engrained member of the Ambler and Wissahickon communities. Through a donation-funded scholarship, he provides financial assistance for one year of paid tuition to two Montgomery County Community College students.

He receives donations by hosting fundraisers and working with the Wissahickon School District’s life skills teacher and students to refurbish old or broken bicycles for children in Ambler. Mr. Lenny and his colleague founded the W.A.C. Cares Homework Club, an after-school initiative to help students with homework and provide them with endless snacks and hugs.

It has been said that everyone who meets Mr. Lenny loves him.

In 2007, Krysta Hankee passed away after collapsing at the gym at the age of 22. As an organ donor, Krysta saved five lives, gave sight to two strangers, and kept 51 people in good health through tissue donation. To continue her legacy, Krysta’s parents Bill and Chris Hankee created the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund that same year.

The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund lives by three missions:
1. Maintain and implement worthy community building and family support initiatives.
2. Provide leadership and community service scholarships to worthy students.
3. Increase awareness of and registration for organ, tissue, and corneal donation.

As part of the fund’s Hero in Krysta Program, retired teachers Bill and Chris visit local classrooms and organizations to talk about the importance of organ donation. Partnering with the Northwestern Lehigh School District and Lehigh Carbon Community College Education Foundation, they have awarded over $187,000 in leadership and community service scholarships to more than 80 students in the Lehigh Valley.

The fund’s successful Gas Card Program provides gift cards to families seeking financial help related to increasing costs of ongoing medical travel and other critical needs. To date, $350,000 in gift cards has been provided to families in need, equating to over 3.5 million miles of travel.

To make a donation to the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, visit www.krystahankeememorialfund.org.