Lawrence Belk named school district's Super Advocate

The Hastings School District Special Education staff and several parents invited Lawrence Belk over to McAuliffe Elementary School last Wednesday. He did not know what was happening, but figured it was connected to the many children with special needs he has helped in the past several years through his gymnastics program in Hastings. He was right.

The staff, led by Dee Dee Burgess, special education teacher, was ready to name Belk a Super Advocate. He received a certificate and a “Raider Nation” shirt.

Belk, who has operated the Hastings Gymnastic Center for years, is putting away the gymnastics equipment in Hastings, at least for now. He has sold his building and is looking for new challenges.

But what he has done here in Hastings for kids and parents, especially for those with special needs at McAuliffe, Pinecrest and Kennedy, prompted the Special Education Department to give him a little recognition.

“He has volunteered his time at all three elementary schools with the children,” said Burgess. “And we have taken the children out the center and he has worked individually with them.”

The Super Advocate award was initiated several years ago, Special Education Acting Director Laura Bolstad said, to give recognition to those “who go the extra mile” in reaching out to others. Anyone can nominate another individual, a group or a business. Recipients have included the Hastings Area YMCA and Hastings High School teacher Chuck Farley, McAuliffe student Lucas Peters and Hastings High School senior Sean Kelly.

Nomination forms are on the Hastings School District website at www.Hastings.k12. mn.us, click on “Special Services.”

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