The New Richmond Schools Leading Lion Award has a new name effective with the Board of Education meeting of October 18, 2021.The award will now be known as the Beth Webster Leading Lion Award, in honor of the October 2021 recipient, Intervention Specialist at Monroe Elementary School Beth Webster. Despite an ongoing battle with Leiomyosarcoma, Mrs. Webster regularly shows up at work with a smile on her face and a tireless commitment to be there for her students and her colleagues.
Board President Kristin Bennett made the motion to change the award’s name. Struggling to hold back tears, Mrs. Bennett said that she and her family understand Mrs. Webster’s nearly four-year battle with cancer having been there themselves with their daughter Becca, a childhood leukemia survivor.
“I’m telling you, when we created the Leading Lion award, I think back in ‘14 or ‘15, your character, resilience, and the impact you’re having on your students are reasons we created this award,” she said.
Mrs. Webster was nominated for the award by Monroe Principal Dr. Jamie Kunz on behalf of her Monroe faculty and staff as well as the district as a whole.
“I have had the honor and privilege to work with Beth for seven years, either at NRE or Monroe,” she said. “She is the type of teacher you wish you could clone, truly. Her dedication to her students and her passion for her profession are second to none. She is an inspiration to everyone she meets.
“Every challenge she faces she has faced with courage and bravery, and the most contagious smile on her face. I can not express to you how much she inspires all of those that she meets.”
To help express in words the deep respect and love that is felt for Mrs. Webster, Monroe Elementary School created a video. You can see the video at the following link: https://youtu.be/Vo4QJW57afw
Mrs. Webster graciously accepted the Beth Webster Leading Lion honor as she displayed her trademark smile. She was accompanied by her husband, Jonathan, and 5-year-old daughter, Cadence.