STEWARD — An elementary student in Steward received an honor during the village’s annual summer celebration on Aug. 4.
Alayna Smardo was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Citizen Award in Steward. She was presented with the award at the village’s annual summer celebration Friday, Aug. 4.
Smardo is a Steward Elementary School fourth grade student who is also involved with Just for Kix in Rochelle and Steward United Methodist Church’s after school program. She has been involved with village beautification by helping water the village’s flowers for the last three years. She has also assisted in preparing the village newsletter for mailing.

She exhibits the spirit of volunteerism, contributing to the ripple effect of constructive actions. Without calling attention to herself, Smardo’s efforts have made a positive difference in the Village of Steward.
Village president Hugh McKiski announced the village board’s choice of Smardo for the award and village trustee Les Bonnell presented her with a gift card from the community.
A brick will be added to Celebration Garden in her honor.
Her parents, Mark and Chrissy Smardo, and grandparents, Judy Duncan and Frank Smardo Sr., plus aunts, uncles and cousins were on hand for the presentation.
Other Steward youth who have received the award are Matthew Moore (2015) and Zachery Burkhart (2016).