Senate Resolution No. 331 BY: Senator O'MARA COMMENDING Ellen Hughes upon the occasion of her designation as 2024 Seneca County Woman of the Year by the Seneca County Women's Coalition WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Ellen Hughes has given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence, and leadership, consequently being designated for this special honor; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Ellen Hughes upon the occasion of her designation as 2024 Seneca County Woman of the Year to be celebrated on Saturday, March 15, 2025; and WHEREAS, Ellen Hughes is receiving this prestigious award in recognition of the vital role she has played in enhancing the quality of life in Seneca County; and WHEREAS, A retired Waterloo Central Schools Spanish Teacher, Ellen Hughes taught with a passion and led the foreign language department; she strongly encouraged her students to study abroad and organized and chaperoned many school trips to Spanish speaking countries. WHEREAS, Ellen Hughes has served as the President and Vice President of the Seneca County Literacy Committee where she continues her passion ensuring all those within Seneca County are given the opportunity to learn to read; and WHEREAS, Through her love of travel, working with youth and meeting new people, Ellen Hughes joined the Waterloo Rotary Club, where she took the initiative and started the Waterloo Rotary Youth Interact Club at the Waterloo High School; remains an active Rotarian, chairing the Celebrate Commemorate Food Booth, and co-chairing the Fall Frolic event as well as the Annual Service Above Self Award Dinner; and WHEREAS, The true epitome of Service Above Self, Ellen Hughes has served as the Waterloo Rotary Club's President, District 7120 Governor, District Global Grants Chair, District Policy & Procedures Chair, and District Foundation Chair; she has also been recognized as a multi-Paul Harris recipient; and WHEREAS, A woman of indomitable faith and dedication, Ellen Hughes is a communicant at St. Francis and St. Clare and is very active in all aspects of her church; she is a member of the Catholic Daughters and can be found most Tuesday mornings serving free breakfasts at St. Mary's, where she also served as the chair of the St. Mary's Festival for many years and remains a devoted committee member and festival worker; and WHEREAS, Ellen Hughes is the proud recipient of the Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes' Sharing the Light Award which honors persons, of all faiths, who have volunteered their time and talent to the betterment of the region; she currently sits on their board as an active advisor; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Ellen Hughes served on the Waterloo School Board as both a member and Board Chair; furthermore, Thursday mornings she can be found organizing and packing for Trevor's Backpack Program; and WHEREAS, Ellen Hughes is also Vice Chair of the Seneca County Children's Committee, an organization which provides financial assistance/material needs for children when other organizations are unable to assist them; and WHEREAS, In addition, she is Vice Chair of the Seneca County Christmas Project, as well as a member of the Phi Beta Psi, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research, and Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority for teachers; and WHEREAS, Throughout the duration of her service, a period of constructive involvement, Ellen Hughes has stood constant in dignity and good grace; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Ellen Hughes has displayed throughout her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Ellen Hughes upon the occasion of her designation as 2024 Seneca County Woman of the Year by the Seneca County Women's Coalition; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ellen Hughes.