Perry, who has served numerous terms on the board since 1977, was awarded a plaque recognizing creation of the Jackie Perry Servant Leader Award that will be awarded to a graduating senior beginning next year.

Jeff Poulin, a 2008 Scarborough High School graduate now studying for an entertainment business degree at Oklahoma City University, returned to town last week to present the plaque to Perry.

“Jackie was always right there to help out. She has been a role model in Scarborough, showing the students exemplary leadership and service to one’s community,” Poulin wrote in an e-mail this week.

The award will be accompanied by a scholarship, Poulin said, although details and funding are still being worked out. Poulin said organizing the award and scholarship fund was a community effort aided by School Superintendent David Doyle, Board of Education Chairman Brian Dell’Olio and current and former student board members Abby Van Note and Julia Agger.

“I have always said that truly generous people perform acts of kindness for no want of thanks – and that’s what Jackie does,” Poulin said. “She said continuously at the meeting that she ‘doesn’t do it for the recognition,’ which is so true and why it is so appropriate to recognize her.”

 –David Harry