Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»SCHOOL NEWS»Dedicated Okaloosa school volunteer Pat Smales is Senior Volunteer of the Year
SCHOOL NEWS

Dedicated Okaloosa school volunteer Pat Smales is Senior Volunteer of the Year

Niceville.comSeptember 15, 20232 Mins Read
Pat Smales with family, school officials
Pat Smales is the Okaloosa County School District's Senior Volunteer of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. (Contributed)

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Pat Smales, a long-time Okaloosa County School District volunteer, has been named the Senior Volunteer of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year.

Eglin Federal Credit Union banner ad with couple and low-rate Mastercard offer

Niceville.com Community Partner

According to the OCSD, Mrs. Smales has spent many hours processing library books for several school libraries in Okaloosa County. She was trained by media specialist Patty Davis when her children were students at Plew Elementary School, and she has spent hours upon hours learning how to do her work professionally and correctly.

“This is not the work of a “regular” or “run of the mill” volunteer,” said Tammy Matz, principal of Plew.

“She even takes her volunteer work home. We call that homework in the education world.”

Mrs. Smales is credited with single-handedly saving schools hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, by quietly processing library books. She catalogs, labels, researches, covers, shelves, and delivers books to multiple schools.

She also willingly drives long distances to give her time generously to school media centers, teachers, students, and families that attend OCSD schools.

“Mrs. Smales is a retired United States Air Force veteran and has continued to serve this school district without anyone truly knowing the depths of her volunteer service,” said the OCSD.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Mrs. Smales is a mother to seven children, grandmother to three, substitute teacher, circulation desk volunteer, reader, encourager, and community volunteer.

“Her impact on the students and families in our school district is immeasurable,” said the OCSD.

“She is the dream of every school district and exactly the kind of volunteer we need more of in our communities. Willing to give abundantly of her time and talents for the betterment of others, especially our children.”

Eglin Federal Credit Union banner ad with couple and low-rate Mastercard offer

Niceville.com Community Partner

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleOkaloosa man faces charges after wild chase ends in property damage: OCSO
Next Article Three sentenced in elaborate multi-million-dollar credit card fraud scheme

Related Posts

Kristi Evans, Mayor Henkel, and three students pose with a scholarship check in front of the Niceville City Council chambers.

City of Niceville endowment awards scholarships to local students 

May 22, 2025
Group photo of the 2024–2025 Niceville Youth Advisory Council members and mentors

Niceville Youth Council wraps term, welcomes new group of student leaders

May 16, 2025
Charlotte Walsh smiles as officers look on during Life Saving Award ceremony

Niceville student named honorary officer after saving choking classmate

April 8, 2025
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Smiling couple holding Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard with promotional rate

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

A horizontal digital banner for Midbay Veterinary Hospital featuring a dog and a cat, a blue veterinary cross logo, contact details for Dr. Maya Chapman, and a call-to-action button that says "Click" to make an appointment

Niceville.com Community Partner

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.