Every school day, rain, snow or shine, Marion Welch is outside Gaudet Middle School and Aquidneck Elementary School directing traffic and keeping pedestrians safe. For her tireless efforts, Welch was nominated for "Making Middletown Marvelous."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
“MAKING MIDDLETOWN MARVELOUS” — MARION WELCH
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (JULY 18, 2022) – Every morning during the school year, students, staff and parents at Gaudet Middle School and Aquidneck Elementary School are greeted with a smile.
That’s because Marion Welch is out directing traffic at both schools and making sure children can get into both buildings safely.
Starting as a volunteer at Aquidneck School close to 35 years ago helping then Principal Joe Ruggiero, Welch said she loves everything about her work. Her day starts at Gaudet and then she drives down to Aquidneck to help out too.
For her kind spirit, devotion to the community and its children, Welch is this week’s nominee for “Making Middletown Marvelous."
“It’s one of those jobs where people say ‘Thank you!’ all the time,” Welch said. “That makes you feel good. To know you’re helping out and keeping people safe.”
Welch might be a familiar face to others as a longtime delivery person of “The Newport Daily News” and “Providence Journal” newspapers. Today, she doesn’t deliver papers anymore, but helps seniors stay active, whether it’s grocery shopping, chores and other activities.
A proud Middletown High School graduate with the Class of 1974, Welch said she enjoys living in the town she grew up.
It’s also rewarding to see so many students everyday and become part of their lives, if only in a small way.
Welch said she gets to know some of the families as they bring their kids to school, memorizing names and the license plates of the vehicles they drive.
“I feel what I do really makes a difference,” Welch said. “Even if it’s to get a student to smile as they’re coming in. That’s what it’s all about.”
Asked for her advice about how best to drive through a school zone, Welch was direct.
“I tell people all the time to pay attention to what they’re doing and where they’re going,” Welch said. “Some aren’t as focused on the road as they need to be. When you’re driving through a school zone, slow down and watch out for the kids.”
To suggest a “Making Middletown Marvelous” nominee, visit https://mdl.town/Marvelous online and submit a form and photo and the town will take care of the rest.
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/5290/MMM-Marion-Welch
####