Camden Central School District -

The Camden Central School District is proud to announce that Camden High School social worker Michelle Mellon has been selected as the recipient of the Ruth Schwartz Award from the New York State School Social Workers' Association. The Schwartz award is presented to New York's "School Social Worker of the Year", as determined by the organization.

The honor was presented as part of the New York State Social Workers’ Association Annual Conference in Canandaigua on November 6th. She was nominated by CCSD Social Worker colleague Michelle Williams, who works at Camden Elementary School.

Mellon has been part of the Camden Central School District family for two decades. She began her career in April 2005 as a Supervisor of Attendance, and transitioned into her current role as a School Social Worker as of September 1st, 2008. Ever since, she has made a difference in the lives of students, families, and colleagues each day with a steady hand and a caring heart. She is steadfast in her support of students, and is present at their activities no matter the time of day. She is responsible for introducing an on-site therapy dog to CHS, and Charlie has become a popular fixture around the building. She is also the advisor of the Camden High School “Morgan’s Message Club”, which aims to bring the importance of Student-Athlete Mental Health into the limelight. And that’s just a few of the many contributions she’s made to the CHS Community.

Whether it’s visiting homes to build connections between home and school, making time for students that walk in, or tending to after-hours emergencies, Williams noted that there are many qualities that made Mellon worthy of this award in her introductory speech.

"I met Michelle nearly 20 years ago when I joined the district as a social worker. I remember thinking she reminds me of the house call doctor who traveled to their patient’s home carrying their medical kits,” Williams said. “Michelle’s dedication is admirable and truly reflects a grass roots social worker whose fundamental values capitalize on the opportunities of home visits, establishing strong connections and promoting the agency of students and their families. She prioritizes making the time to build the bridge between home and school with clear intentions to collaborate in the best interest of the students…. Her non-judgemental, steadfast approach contributes to the steady stream of students, guardians and staff who seek her support on a daily basis."

Mellon was also noted by Williams for her commitment to the future of social work. She has taken on interns regularly while also inspiring students to pursue the social work profession themselves. Superintendent of Schools Jason Evangelist and Camden High School principal Aaron Fiorini also prepared a congratulatory video for the occasion.

The newly-minted Social Worker of the Year was humbled, but also was quick to spread the accolades around to many others she’s encountered in her career.

“Honestly, I am very honored but humbled to be receiving this award as I know there are many great School Social Workers out there just as deserving of such an honor," Mellon said. "I don't think I would be able to do what I do without the support of all the amazing colleagues that I work with. I feel we all work really hard as a team, to support our students and families, helping students work towards success.”

With Michelle as selfless and generally avoidant of the spotlight as she is, it's only fitting that her insistence on kindness to self and others helped the spotlight to find her anyway. And deservedly so.

“Everybody that knows me, knows that my mantra is 'BE KIND',” Mellon said. “So I would say to students, ‘always be kind to others, but especially to yourself.’ My hope is that each student leaves high school knowing that they matter, and that it is OK to ask for help when they need it and to take risks because that is how they will grow.”