Congratulations to Tonawanda’s Renee Smith, winner of the Section VI Honoree Award for 2023. Smith has been serving as Female Rep on the Erie County Interscholastic Conference of the Section VI Athletic Council.
“You were selected for this award because you have demonstrated excellence in your area of expertise and provided the highest commitment to the Section and the student-athletes we serve,” said Section VI Executive Director Mark DeFilippo in a letter announcing the award. “Phil Jackson once said, ‘The strength of a team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.’ Be proud to know that you have contributed to the strength and, thus, the success of Section VI.”
Smith was Director of Athletics, Physical Education & Health for the district and Assistant Principal of the Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year, but will be Assistant Principal of the High School for the fall.
“Renee is a rockstar!” said High School Principal Lyndsey Todaro. “She is so deserving of this recognition. Renee is a valued, supportive administrator with a ‘student first’ mindset and is always ready and willing to help make Tonawanda Middle/High School the best it can be! We are so honored to work with her!”
“Additionally, she goes above and beyond each day for students to achieve greatness and excel in all aspects of their lives,” said Middle School Principal Michael Brown. “She is very supportive to staff. She is an exceptional leader and we are grateful to have her as part of our Tonawanda district and community.”
“Even though it will be my name on the plaque, it belongs to everyone in the district, because I couldn’t do the work for the Section and the ECIC and athletics without the support of everybody here in the district,” Smith said. “You come in every single day, working for the kids, and really driving our work to support them and their dreams. But that’s also our normal. You don’t expect to be recognized for it. So this means a whole lot.”
Smith, herself, has played many sports, including Division I volleyball at Canisius College, and she sees herself continuing to support Section VI and student athletes in her new role of Assistant Principal at the High School.
“It’s just a passion I have,” she said.
The award presentation will be made at the 24th Recognition Dinner on August 23 at the Columns Banquets in Elma.