Woodley, Smolenski named Stephanie Jones Memorial award recipients

Kayci Woodley, daughter of Rod and Teresa Woodley of Orion, and Joe Smolenski, son of Jim and Marla Smolenski of Lynn Center, have been named the recipients of the Stephanie Jones Memorial Award. KayciWoodley and Joe Smolenski are seniors at Orion High School.

The award is an honor conferred each year upon one female and one male graduating senior who have consistently exemplified the best qualities of a congenial and principled lifestyle at school as well as in the community. The distinction carries with it a cash award of $500 to each recipient.

Woodley and Smolenski have been very involved in school and community activities throughout their high school careers. Ms. Woodley’s involvement includes girls’ soccer (varsity four years, captain two years), girls’ basketball (four years, captain one year.), volleyball (two years), cross country (two years), National Honor Society (two years, president), Varsity Club (two years), Olympic Leadership Conference (two years), Read for a Lifetime (three years), Student Council (one year), Class Council (three years), Student Hunger Drive (2006), All-Area Soccer (2007), Academic All-Conference, Yearbook staff member (one year) and CECO (treasurer). Ms. Woodley plans to continue her education next year at Iowa State University.

Smolenski’s involvement includes baseball (captain two years), basketball, football, golf (captain), FFA, volunteer coach at baseball summer camps, and member of Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Orion. Smolenski plans to continue his education next year at Illinois Central College.

The award was established in memory of Stephanie Jones, an Orion High School student who was killed in a car accident in November. 2004.