By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Keely Roberts, a student at Geneseo High School, is the recipient of the fourth quarter Geneseo Park District RESPECT Award. Roberts is a member of the GHS Gymnastics Team and was nominated for the award by Gymnastics Coaches Larry and Chris Ward. She is the daughter of Amy and Mark Roberts.
The RESPECT Award includes these qualities in an individual:
-R – Recreational, Health & Wellness Opportunities.
-E – Excellence.
-S – Safety.
-P-Positivity.
-Equitable – Creating an environment of inclusion for the whole community.
-C – Communication.
-T – Teamwork.
The letter of nomination written by the Ward couple states: “Keely Roberts is an extraordinary example and carries out the Mission and Core Values of the Geneseo Park District. Keely is a vibrant and energetic person that always leads her students by example. She always comes into the gym and organizes the environment by straightening the plastics or putting the mats in place. She has a bubbly personality, but is very calm and patient with her gymnastics students. Keely takes responsibility for attendance and getting the class started on time. She is helpful from the second she arrives until the second she leaves at the end of class.
She can teach any gymnastics event and is an excellent spotter. She can demonstrate any gymnastics skill as a competitive gymnast, which is pretty incredible.
Keely Roberts
Keely is a successful student at Geneseo High School where is involved in many activities along with golf and gymnastics. She is a strong, quiet leader. She was captain this year as a junior on the gymnastics team. Keely radiates excellence in all areas by working hard and being kind.
Keely is very careful to promote safety in the gym. She asks students to stop any unsafe behaviors and is very conscientious with students with special needs. She talks through discipline issues with her day camp students and gymnastics students with a great deal of professionalism. Keely smiles often and presents a positive force in whatever she is participating in at the moment.
During the high school season, she promoted moving equipment to all of her friends and they all showed up to help the gymnastics team move equipment. This was such a miracle and the result was a record time of setting up equipment.
Keely is remarkable with students with all types of diversity and individual needs. She is patient and understanding with all students. Keely immediately sends out messages to other employees if another coach is needed for the day. She usually has help in ten minutes or less. That shows that she communicates well and others respect her request for help. She is great at communicating to her co-workers, her teammates, and her students. She is direct and precise in what is needed and what is safe for the environment. She has great respect for all others.
She shares opinions and ideas without hesitation, but listens to what others have to say. She collaborates with adults and children very well.
Her love for gymnastics explodes when Keely teaches the sport. She is excited for her students to learn and build new skills. She is always trying new coaching drills and techniques without being told to do so. Keely is very popular with the young gymnasts because they see her example and want to be as skilled as her. They also see her calm teaching style and want to learn more as a result of Keely’s talented approach to gymnastics.
She always has the interests of the Geneseo Park District Program in mind and wants to serve as best she can as a caring professional. Thank you for this opportunity to nominate Keely Roberts for this prestigious award.”