Vernon's 'Miss Pat' Recognized For Rec Contributions

VERNON, CT — A fixture in Vernon in terms of teaching parks and recreation clinics or running along the local roads, has received a major state award.

Vernon Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler said that Pat Stauder, known around town as "Miss Pat," recently received the ABCD Award from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association.

The Vernon Parks and Recreation Department had nominated her for the award.

(Vernon Parks and Rec)

The ABCD Award is given to a person who goes "Above and beyond the call of duty" by having made an "outstanding" contribution to the field of public recreation and parks, "significant enough to have had a stimulating effect on recreation at a town, city, state or national level."

Here is what town officials said in the nomination:

Going above and beyond the call of duty is an understatement when talking about Patricia Stauder.

Better known as Miss Pat, she had dedicated her life to helping kids in Vernon stay active and get excited about fitness for close to 30 years.

Her passion and enthusiasm has touched the lives of so many families in Vernon across multiple generations. Staff registering participants hear stories from parents when they register their children about when they used to take programs themselves with Miss Pat.

Miss Pat brings a positive attitude and high energy to every single activity at which she appears. Currently, she teaches Aerobics, Water Aerobics, and Body Toning classes for adults. She runs a variety of preschool and youth programs, including Sports Nutz, Preschool Fitness, Peewee Track, Peewee Fun Summer Camp, Fit Tots and Tumble Time to name a few.

She has also founded a walking and running club that promotes safe exercise with the message of "Don’t Walk Alone."

In addition, she has held seminars for families that addresses:

• "How to be a Bargain Shopper"
• "How to Talk to your Child"
• "Life is Precious"

Miss Pat has an endless repertoire of games and activities that she can set up and run at a moment's notice to keep anyone interested. She can been seen at any given time at activities or events sponsored by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department with a host of props from hula hoops, to cones, scarfs and more.

All of this is to get kids moving, laughing, and having fun with their friends. Miss Pat is truly a fixture to the community of Vernon.

She has made it her life's mission to help kids learn to love being active so that they can establish life-long healthy habits. She somehow finds time to spread her talents to other organizations in Vernon and surrounding towns.

She is the definition of a "leader by example" and the community of Vernon is lucky to have such a passionate, caring person.