Lexi Polasek, Recreation Supervisor at the Southbury Parks and Recreation Department, has been awarded the 2023 “R. Peter Ledger” Young Professional Award by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association (CRPA) for her achievements and accomplishments in the Parks & Recreation profession.
Eileen Cicchese and Dale Izzo, the CRPA Awards Committee Co-Chairs, wrote to Ms. Polasek notifying her of their choice: “This year’s awards selection committee reviewed many deserving nominations and had the difficult task of narrowing down each category to just one nomination and our selection committee chose your nomination above all others. This is truly a testament to your hard work and dedication within the field of Parks and Recreation.”
Ms. Polasek was honored at CRPA’s annual luncheon where she received her award and attended several educational workshops. During the award ceremony Ms. Polasek delivered a speech where she spoke of her passion for serving the community through the Parks and Recreation field and pledged her commitment to live up to Mr. Ledger’s example as a steward of the community and leader for her peers. The award honors the late R. Peter Ledger, a longtime Director of Parks and Recreation for several Connecticut towns. His career accomplishments earned him numerous national, state, and local awards including the Distinguished Fellow Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. Ms. Polasek’s devotion to the community through her work and volunteer efforts best embodied his memory, gaining her this recognition from the CRPA.
Michael Ganem, Director of Southbury Parks and Recreation, acknowledges Ms. Polasek’s excellence, “Ms. Polasek delivers outstanding camp and basketball programs, arts and crafts programs for all ages including toddlers, and more. She partners with colleagues, sports leagues, and community organizations to realize our collective missions.” He continued, “Ms. Polasek earned her master’s degree and continues to be active with her school, facilitating internships in an effort to recruit and mentor the next generation of Parks and Recreation professionals.”
In addition to the lovely plaque now hanging in her office, Ms. Polasek will receive support from CRPA to attend continuing education courses. Since completing her Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Ms. Polasek has been looking forward to pursuing additional areas of study to enhance her ability to serve the community. Now, with the support and award benefits from CRPA, these studies will be immediately accessible to her. She will be able to utilize this additional knowledge in her roles as Southbury Recreation Supervisor and as Co-Chair of the CRPA Camp Section, a volunteer position which she has held for two years.
Southbury municipal officials congratulate Lexi Polasek for being chosen as the 2023 recipient of the R. Peter Ledger Young Professional Award by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association.
Pictured left to right: Jeff Manville, Southbury First Selectman; Lexi Polasek, Recreation Supervisor; Michael Ganem, Director of Southbury Parks and Recreation.