Messenger photos by Whitney Wilson Coy

It takes a special person to make a differnce in the lives of children, and the Hilltop Kiwanis has found a way to honor one of those special people. The Youth Services Committee of the Hilltop Kiwanis, working in a joint effort with Highland Elementary, had fifth grade students at the school nominate a senior citizen from the community who has made a difference in thier lives. The nominees were then voted on. The winner was Westsider Connie Toles (above), a food service worker at the school. Toles, who has worked at Highland for 39 years, was honored at a surprise ceremony March 20, where she was given a large “basket of goodies,” which included Thank You letters from each student.