Jolene Volek was one of the few people to run towards danger during a tornado March 21. On Wednesday Aug. 17 she received an award for her bravery. Volek rescued a Granger student from the rubble the tornado left and is being recognized for being a hero in the Granger community.
Volek was surprised while teaching a class by U.S. Rep. John Carter and Granger ISD Superintendent Jeni Neatherlin with a certificate of Congressional Recognition.
“This a perfect example of what makes America great, smalltown school, everybody including the coaches and teachers are out there looking after their kids,” Carter said. “Jolene went a little bit beyond and jumped in there and pulled them out of the rubble and got them to safety.”
Volek is a volunteer firefighter along with being a teacher at Granger High School and was called upon as a first responder after a tornado ripped through the small town of Granger.
Volek was both surprised and honored by Wednesday’s award presentation but said she did it because it was her family who needed help.
“The whole community is my family. I was just telling the kids that I love every single one of them since day one,” Volek said. “It was just something that came to my heart one day, to be a servant leader and I am very honored. There were a lot more people who did a lot more than me that night, but I am still very honored.”
Neatherlin started the award presentation by talking to Volek’s class about the tornado. She asked the students who were the first people called when the tornado came to Granger.
Some students answered 911, and some answered coach Stephen Brosch who is also called upon a lot to help out with students. But when Neatherlin revealed that it was Volek and explained how she went towards the danger and helped save a life the students faces lit up.
Neatherlin said Granger High School is fortunate to have someone like Jolene on their staff.
“We are very fortunate to have so many staff members that go above and beyond, and Jolene is one of them,” Neatherlin said. “She is obviously an exceptional human that dedicates her time and energy to the community as a whole. To have that type of person on my staff shows not only the community but the students that we are to serve them.”
Neatherlin said she uses the expression the school is used to serve the community, and Volek embodied that in dealing with the destruction the tornado on March 21 left.
“ The whole community is my family. I was just telling the kids that I love every single one of them since day one”
- Jolene Volek
Courtesy Photo
