LAURA PLATO RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 VALEDICTORIAN AWARD

The Race for Education (RFE) presented its 2011 Valedictorian Award to Laura Plato, Director of Operations at the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protection Association. Created to recognize exceptional support by a volunteer or board member, the award was presented to Plato by Elisabeth Jensen, RFE’s President and Executive Director at their first annual Thankfulness Reception, an event created to show appreciation for the valuable time given by RFE’s local volunteers and teaching interns of Starting Gate. 

"I am thrilled and truly honored to accept the Valedictorian Award from The Race For Education.  Horse racing and education are so important to me, coming from a family of educators. Working on the scholarship selection committee, the 5K/10K Race and whatever else I can assist with is so valuable to me personally and especially when the staff makes it so enjoyable," say Plato.

 

RFE estimates that their volunteers have donated over 500 personal hours of service to the RFE fundraising events and Starting Gate programs in 2011. Laura Plato has been one of the RFE’s most devout volunteers. First joining The Race For Education as a member of the scholarship selection committee, she has offered many years of service to our organization through help with our annual 5K/10K Race and many past charity events, including the Andre Pater gala event during the World Equestrian Games and the 2011 Horsemen of All Ages Bachelor Auction Sale. Past award recipients include Paul Saylor, Barry Irwin and Georgia Lockridge.

 

“Some of the richest people in the world are not millionaires, they are volunteers. Their work continually supports and inspires the young people in our community and will be a legacy for the volunteers that made a difference in their lives. Laura is a great role model for our organization,” commented RFE’s President and Executive Director Elisabeth Jensen.