Rotary bestows Spradling as Paul Harris Fellow

Bernie Spradling became the El Dorado Rotary Club’s first female Paul Harris Fellow Wednesday.

The award, named after the founder of Rotary Paul Harris, honors Rotarians for their service to Rotary, their profession and their community.

“Thirty-seven Paul Harris Fellows have been honored and today we go co-ed,” said Rotarian Steve Pershall.

Spradling is a graduate of Clafin High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in special education from Emporia State University. She later received her educational administration certificate from Wichita State University.

“Her professional career included a 32-year stint with USD 490,” Pershall said.

Spradling worked 18 years at Lincoln Elementary teaching special education, kindergarten and second grade. She then started her administrative career by serving one year as the principal of Jefferson and Skelly Elementary schools, then was principal of Lincoln Elementary for 13 years.

“Bernie was named the 1986 El Dorado Teacher of the Year and a Master Teacher in 1986 and 1987,” Pershall said.

She also received an Outstanding Service Award from the Butler County ARC agency and Alpha Delta Kappa named her as a Friend of Education.

Spradling joined the Rotary Club in 2004 and became the club secretary in July 2007, serving in that capacity for three one-year terms.

“You have no idea all the behind-the-scenes work a secretary does,” Pershall said.

Spradling also has been an active participant in club meetings and activities. She served on the planning committee for the 1958 Tornado Memorial project and has written several grant requests that funded Rotary-sponsored educational projects for USD 490.

Spradling has two daughters and four grandchildren. She loves being a grandma. She also is active in community activities and is serving her second four-year term on the USD 490 School Board.

Spradling received the 2003 YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2006 Servant Leader Award from Leadership Butler Alumni Association.

In addition, she serves on the board of the Butler County History Center and the Bethlehem House.

Pershall said she volunteers on a regular basis, while staying out of the public limelight.

“In honor of her outstanding achievements, the El Dorado Rotary Club has now bestowed upon her the title of Paul Harris Fellow,” Pershall said.

Presenting the medallion, pin and certificate to Spradling was Geri Appel, who was the first female president of the Wichita Rotary Club and the first female district governor of Rotary District #5690.

“All I can say, Bernie, is wow,” Appel said.

She said there are 1.2 million Rotarians around the world.

“Our world reach is greater than even that of the United Nations,” Appel commented.

She pointed out because they are non-profit and not a religious organization, they can go places other entities cannot.

“Bernie has been a long-time supporter of our organization,” she said. “It starts at the local level and goes around the world.

“She is a sustaining member of our Rotary Foundation and we thank her for that.”

Spradling also was one of eight Rotary members who gave $100 last year and Appel thanked all of them for their donations.

Spradling accepted the award and thanked the club.

“Remember, service above self is the best thing you can do in your life,” Spradling said. “You have all been good role models.”

She urged all of the Rotarians to continue in the work they do.

Spradling joins 37 other El Dorado Paul Harris Fellows, of whom 16 are still on the membership rolls.