SPECIAL RECOGNITION — Nine area residents and one fire department were recognized Saturday through the L.A.W.S. Movement for their efforts to educate youth and serve their communities. The honorees included, from left, front: educators Olaya Cuervo Gonzales, Casey Maxon and Roger Roberts; Amanda Thompson of the Sycamore Youth Center; East Springfield Fire Chief Tyler Yoho; Derek Gulling, an educator; Katie Long, a school nurse; and educators Jenna Joyce and Bonnie Soos; and back: East Springfield Fire Department members Sam Ivkovich, Jason Gallagher, Danielle Sullivan and Tera Anderson; Cookie West, founder of the LAWS Movement, with her nephew, Legend Wright; and Joe Manbeck, Steve Hicks and Kevin Criss. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Many local residents were recognized Saturday for efforts they may have thought were unnoticed.

Cookie West and others behind the Lee A. West Spiritual Movement honored several educators, a volunteer with the Sycamore Youth Center and a fire chief and his department for their work to educate and aid youth and ensure the public’s safety at the JeffCo Event Center.

West said the annual awards program is one of the ways she has set out to honor her late son, who was killed in a fire at their home in 2012.

She described Lee, who was 15, as a wonderful student-athlete and Christian who spoke often of his religious faith and applied it to serving the community.

West added her son shared his future goals, which included helping single parents, something the group has carried out through its God’s Helping Hands program.

The L.A.W.S. Movement also has donated thousands of dollars to various causes, including the distribution of clothing for those in need and Bibles and award of scholarships to graduating Steubenville High School students.

“We would want Lee to be here, but he finished his race and we will see him again,” she said, noting as a Christian, she knows they will be reunited in Heaven.

She said since it was established in 2013, the L.A.W.S. Movement has recognized 70 outstanding teachers and presented its Heart Award to 25 first responders, and, in more recent years, bestowed its Village Impact Award to seven individuals who have helped to make their communities better.

This year’s recipient of the Village Impact Award was Amanda Thompson for her work as a program director and afterschool instructor for the Sycamore Youth Center and other efforts driven by her religious faith.

The latter has ranged from mission work in Kenya to founding and organizing, with her husband, Chad, and others, the Christ Walk, an Easter tradition during which members of several area churches and others march through the streets of the city with a 5-foot-long wooden cross.

Thompson said she was deeply humbled to receive the award, adding she finds it a blessing to work with children and teens and see them develop mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

She noted that Psalm 127:3 states that children are a gift from God.

Thompson stressed that she doesn’t do it alone, with the center’s director, Bobbyjon Bauman, and others engaged in the effort, which is possible through the cooperation of the children’s parents.

Receiving the Heart Award was East Springfield Fire Chief Tyler Yoho.

The son of a firefighter and law enforcement officer, Yoho’s involvement with public safety began as a junior firefighter in 2009.

Through the years he has become certified in several areas of firefighting and emergency operations and has trained many first responders as well while also serving as one-half of a K-9 unit for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, telecomunicator for the county’s emergency 911 center and Amsterdam police chief.

Yoho was joined by several members of his department, which was recognized for its aid and availability to 925 residents in their service area.

The chief said the department’s members are dedicated to their work and often suggest ways they can make their community safer.

“I think I owe this award to them more than anything,” said Yoho.

West said recipients of the L.A.W.S. Movement’s Teacher Impact award are determined by a committee from nominations submitted by students and, in the case of those who work with students with special needs, parents or colleagues.

This year’s recipients are:

• Katie Long, a nurse with the school-based health center on the Toronto City Schools campus, who was acknowledged for her willingness to listen to students’ problems and offer moral support as well as providing medical assistance.

The nomination letter for her stated many leave her office “feeling lighter and more understood.”

• Jenna Joyce, a pre-school teacher for the School of Bright Promise.

Parents of special needs children taught by Joyce said she has adapted her teaching methods to suit the needs of each child.

She was described as creative, caring, kind, empathetic and helpful while her cheerful, compassionate nature sets a good example for others.

• Derek Gulling, a math teacher for Edison Local Schools, who was said to have a charismatic personality and a willingness to help, with academics or personal problems, whenever approached, while also being able to see the potential in all students.

• Casey Maxon, a special education teacher for Buckeye Local Schools. Maxon was nominated by a colleague whom he has mentored and who was impressed by his enthusiasm for teaching, a trait that is infectious for his students and co-workers.

• Olaya Cuervo Gonzales, a native of Spain who has shared her knowledge of the Spanish language and culture with students in Toronto City Schools.

Students who nominated her said she makes her classroom a fun place while providing a comforting presence, with no tolerance for disrespect or bullying.

• Roger Roberts, who has brought his experience of 21 years with the United Parcel Service and seven years with General Motors to teaching business courses for Buckeye Local Schools.

A student who nominated Roberts said “There’s never a dull moment” in his classroom, and his students are encouraged to express their curiosity.

• Bonnie Soos, a Spanish teacher for Buckeye Local Schools.

A student who nominated her said she is “an inspiration for all,” teaching her students resilience, perseverance and strength as well as Spanish while expressing her sincere concern for them.