Melissa Mroz

Aug 22, 2013

Dear Melissa,
As a proud Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, I remember all the reasons why I chose this career and it was mostly because I knew that being a TR Specialist gave me the opportunity and the privilege to support people to enhance their quality of life by having FUN! I knew that the job couldn’t be done without one important component… like Annie sings in the musical “you’re never fully dressed without a SMILE”!

From the day you walked into SPIN on November 9, 2009 you have smiled your way and created an energized atmosphere that is contagious! Everyone who enjoys the Norcom Community Center can witness your boundless energy and wealth of talents that support people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to achieve their personal outcomes. Whether it is roller skating away in the gym in a fun and active hockey game or playing Angry Birds with giant rubber balls decorated as Angry Birds or teaching a yoga class, you make all participants enjoy health and fitness. You share your enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle with everyone you meet, encouraging physical activity for everyone in the day supports as well as being the lead staff for our Silver Sneakers activities for the aging yet active community members. 

You are highly invested in your professional development and are a wonderful role model to your colleagues about increasing and enhancing knowledge, skills and talents. You recently acquired your personal training certification, which is an asset to NCC to have a female personal trainer. Also, you worked with the Wellness committee to offer Couch to 5K training and help with the Biggest Loser contests. As an instructor for the NCC’s Yoga and ICE classes, the NCC members request your classes and provide excellent feedback.  Importantly, you teach a class called “Body Rocks” where you engage participants in discussion about scary but critical health topics. You make it fun and educational and support people to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle. Your kids tumbling class has become one of our most popular kid’s activities. In addition to these activities Melissa also does Yoga for the Hearts for Autism programs outside of her time at NCC. She spends her free time taking fitness classes at other centers to keep up on new moves and challenges to keep her NCC classes’ cutting edge. In addition, you joined the SPIN Wellness Committee and you will be offering yoga classes for employees over the next couple of weeks.

Your creative talents are far reaching and your love of creative arts has led to so many wonderful opportunities for so many. Recently, you played a key role in the development and implementation of the NCC’s first Talent Showcase bringing out the talents of others through personal work of art in various ways. This outstanding event was attended by masses and not only was it a success due to the demonstration of talent but you enabled artists to sell some of their works! This led SPIN to request you to create a work of art to be presented as a gift to SPIN Lehigh on the opening day picnic. This masterpiece now adorns the entrance of our SPIN Lehigh facility.

Melissa your people first approaches are recognized by all. Your Can Do attitude encourages everyone and supports people of all abilities to believe in themselves. You demonstrate SPIN’s Pillars in all that you do and you never do anything without that SMILE.  You support us to be better people and we thank you. On behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, your colleagues, and countless members of the Melissa fan club, I congratulate you on this well deserved Employee of the Month Award for July, 2013. Your love of life is contagious and we thank you for supporting so many to live a life of possibility.

With deep congratulations and appreciation,
Judith Dotzman
Executive Director