This year’s honorees include long-time successful businessman and community activist, Richard Canever, president owner of Vic Canever Chevrolet in Fenton. Canever will be receiving The State Bank Community Contribution to Education Award.

 Through Canever’s leadership, generosity as a business owner and community activist, hundreds of students have benefited through the Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation’s driver training program.

 Vic Canever Chevrolet has donated the cars used for this program for more than 10 years, thus allowing the program to continue. Canever has also been supportive of numerous athletic programs through his corporative sponsorship of numerous teams and events.

 According to Patricia Lockwood, chair of the Fenton Education Foundation, “Richard was the unanimous choice of the Foundation board. Through his leadership and community commitment, students of all ages have had opportunities to learn and excel in their career paths. We look forward to honoring Richard at The Black Tie event on Sept. 10 at The Laundry.”

 The second award recipient, George Kralosky, will be receiving the Nancy and Edward Petruska Life Time Achievement in Education Award.

 Kralosky was an English teacher at Fenton High School for 19 years. He was a popular teacher with his students and dedicated significant time as an IBO Diploma Program teacher.  In addition to his work inside the classroom, Kralosky was also a driver education instructor, a co-sponsor for the National Honor Society, and coordinator of the Project Close-Up program.

 The Lifetime Achievement in Education Award was established by way of a gift from the Petruska family to the Fenton Education Foundation. The award recognizes the contribution that educators make to the community. Edward and Nancy Petruska devoted a combined 52 years of educational services to the Fenton Area Public Schools.

 Mark Suchowski, principal at Fenton High School, said, “George joined the English Department at Fenton High School in August of 1994 and for the next 19 years made a huge impact on the lives of his students and colleagues. He was masterful at inspiring those he taught to develop their own voice, think critically, and express themselves clearly. George also collaborated with his fellow teachers throughout the building and inspired them to examine and improve their teaching.”

 In 2004, the Fenton Area Public Schools created the Fenton Education Foundation to assist in developing and enriching the overall educational experience of Fenton youth.

 For more information about the foundation, visit fentoneducationfoundation.org.