Schools
Uveges Awarded Philhower Fellowship
Counselor at Wilson and Tamaques rewarded for 13 years of educating elementary students.
In front of a capacity crowd last night, Principal Michael Cullen said that, everyday, Frank Uveges makes every student at Tamaques and Schools feel like they are the most important person in the world. So last night, Cullen, the students and the rest of the district decided to return the favor.
Uveges, an elementary counselor at Tamaques and Wilson, was presented with the Westfield Rotary Club’s Philhower Fellowship before last night’s meeting, an award that recognized his outstanding teaching at the elementary school level during 13-plus years in the district.
“It is not an honor we bestow lightly,” said Wilson Principal Joseph Malanga. “It is an honor richly earned.”
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“It is indeed a heavy burden for those who care, and Frank Uveges truly cares,” Malanga told a large audience in Wilson School’s auditorium. “I can think of no one who deserves this honor more.”
Eight students, ranging from fourth graders to high school students, expressed their gratitude for “Mr. Eu” through brief statements, anecdotes and even one poem.
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“So many people cared when things were bad,” one student said. “But he cared all the time.”
“I’d hate school if it weren’t for him,” another added.
Uveges, whose parents and other family members were in attendance, was grateful for the award and was quick to express his appreciation for the community that he said made it all possible.
“Tonight is a night to give thanks, not from you to me, but from me to you,” he said. “Thank you for letting me into your lives.” Uveges specifically thanked his family, Superintendent Margaret Dolan, the Board, the Rotary Club, the district PTOs and the Westfield community. But most importantly, he thanked the students for inspiring him to do what he does.
“Everyday I step into school is an opportunity for me to help a student reach that ‘Aha!’ moment,” he said.
Uvegas joined the district in 1998 and has served as the student support counselor at the two elementary schools. He also is currently the anti-bullying specialist at Wilson School.
The Philhower Fellowship was established in 1993 by the Rotary Club to honor former Westfield educator Charles Philhower and to recognize the importance of teaching in the elementary grades.
