Dieringer Heights Elementary School today awarded frequent volunteer Dawn Spencer with the Community Leadership Award.

Spencer was volunteering in the kindergarten classroom of Roseanne Malkowicz when the lesson was interrupted by Principal Kevin Anderson, district Superintendent Judy Neumeier-Martinson and a handful of volunteers bearing the award, roses, chocolate cake and a personal letter from the school. They also brought a portrait drawn by student Cole Armstrong and signed by the entire class.

The students handed Spencer roses one-by-one while she stood and thanked them, looking a little surprised and embarrassed.

“I’m totally surprised and undeserving (of this award),” she said.

She was soon joined by her husband, Ted Spencer, and daughter, Andi Spencer, at which time they sat down to enjoy some cake.

Spencer has volunteered with Dieringer Heights Elementary School for three years. Three generations of her family, and her husband, had been educated at the campus, including Spencer’s four children.