PEDRO-

For the second year in a row, a Rock Hill school district volunteer has been awarded the state STARS volunteer of the year title by the Ohio Department of Aging.

Patty Kirkpatrick, of Kitts Hill,

was selected from more than 500 volunteers across the state. She is a volunteer in the kindergarten class of teacher Amy Dickess.

STARS stands for "Seniors Teaching And Reaching Students." It is an integrated program that places adults 55 years of age or older in elementary schools to act as tutors and mentors to the children.

It is coordinated through the office of the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian development. Mary Jo Frazer, coordinator for the COAD/STARS programs in Lawrence County, said she wished more seniors would follow Kirkpatrick's example and get involved with local education.

"We have 800 children in our elementary school at Rock Hill, and wouldn't it be nice if all of them had an extra grandparent to help guide them on life's journey?"

Last year, Gary Kingery, another STARS volunteer at Rock Hill Elementary School, was chosen as the state STARS volunteer of the year.