Lawrence attorney Sherri Dedloff stays grounded by volunteering each day at Deerfield School.

She reads to nearly 50 students in the gym before the morning bell rings at 7:50 a.m., hits garage sales to buy books to stock teachers’ classroom shelves and pitches in at the school’s ice cream social and on the PTA board.

“I do high-conflict work,” Dedloff said. “To start the day with kids … it gives me balance.”

A student from Deerfield offered strong praise: “She gives you a hug when you didn’t even do anything.”

Wednesday, Dedloff was honored along with 29 other volunteers in the Lawrence public school district. Each was designated a Friend of Education at a program sponsored by the district and the Lawrence Education Assn., the union representing teachers.

Each recipient was introduced by a teacher or principal during a televised program at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

Honorees included Stuart and Susan Bell, who have made their presence felt at Southwest Junior High School since moving to Lawrence last year from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Stuart Bell is dean of engineering at Kansas University.

“Both of you openly offer your help,” said Deb Husted, a teacher at Southwest.

State Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, and his wife, Marsha, were honored by Free State High School. Tom Murray, a former Lawrence school board member, was selected as the Friend of Education at Lawrence High School.

The district’s 2003 Friend of Education is Bob Mikesic, an advocacy coordinator with Independence Inc. in Lawrence. He has worked with the school district on accessibility compliance issues for 10 years.

Others honored: Kellee Schmid, Woodlawn School; Buck Rowland, Lawrence Alternative High School; Becky Spence, Sunset Hill School; Peggy Williams, South Junior High School; Jeannie Robinson, West Junior High School; Joni Fornelli, Broken Arrow School; Autumn Weiss, Kennedy School; Gloria Sherman, Wakarusa Valley School; Jennifer Glynn and Larry Hoyle, Central Junior High School; Audrey Taylor and Matt Constabile, Cordley School; Mike and Cathy Hut, Hillcrest School; Glenn Robinson, New York School; Charlotte Marthaler, Prairie Park School; Tom Boxberger, Schwegler School; J.R. Demby, East Heights Early Childhood Center; Jodi Trast, Langston Hughes School; Marilyn and Randy Kahn, Pinckney School; Kari Lottes, Quail Run School; and Joan Noller, Sunflower School.