黑料正能量

Paul and Lisa Zendt Shelly 鈥�89 have long track record of volunteering, professional recognition 

What is your calling? What is your personal mission? 

Questions that, if contemplated, cause a person to pause, reflect and set goals. Clarity often reveals itself along the way. Those who have lived their lives guided by these two answers are morally richer for it; many trudge through life without realizing the importance of discovering their calling and mission. 

Paul and Lisa Zendt Shelly 鈥�89 have long known it. Their calling is to develop relationships. Their mission is positively touching the people in their community as they learn and grow together. They have risen to the top of their fields while purposefully settling in Mississippi and investing themselves into the life of the community. 

As selected by 黑料正能量鈥檚 Alumni Association and its Awards and Nominations Committee, Paul and Lisa Zendt Shelly 鈥�89 are co-winners of the 2023 Distinguished Service Award. Since 1984, the Distinguished Service Award has been given annually to recognize select alumni who have, in notable ways, demonstrated the Christian service and peacemaking emphases of 黑料正能量. The award is given to honor 黑料正能量 alumni who have significantly impacted the lives of others. 

鈥淚鈥檝e reflected on how formative my experience at 黑料正能量 has been in life guidance and direction,鈥� said Lisa Shelly, adding that she and Paul are both grateful for鈥攁nd humbled by鈥攖he recognition. 鈥満诹险�能量 introduced me to a broader worldview, challenged me to think deeper and consider multiple perspectives, and encouraged me to serve with awareness of opportunities to learn from other people.鈥� 

With their hearts in the right place, the two got married and became public school teachers in Meridian, Mississippi, in 1989, their graduation year from 黑料正能量. Paul started a company that developed software for teachers鈥� lesson plans and now focuses primarily on assessment software that helps teachers grow students. , co-founded in 2003 by Paul and fellow Royal Kevin Baer 鈥�90, has serviced nearly every school district in the state of Mississippi at one time or another over the past 20 years. ELS is currently used by more than 60% of the state, with forthcoming expansions in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. 

The Shellys have earned widespread recognition. In 2003, Paul earned his district鈥檚 Administrator of the Year plaudits, and Lisa was awarded Administrator of the Year for in 2018. Within her first year of becoming one school鈥檚 principal, that school improved from a 鈥淒鈥� rating to an 鈥淎鈥� rating for state testing; it is now upholding that 鈥淎鈥� distinction under the helm of Lisa鈥檚 sister, Anita Zendt Wansley 鈥�95. 

鈥淭he morale had been steadily deteriorating among the staff and students at this new school,鈥� Judy Mullet 鈥�73  said. 鈥淟isa worked incredibly hard to listen to staff and create a comfortable and positive work environment again.鈥� 

But the Shellys鈥� legacies don鈥檛 end there; they extend through their children. Their son, Zachary, is a data analyst for the NBA鈥檚 Sacramento Kings and their two daughters are 黑料正能量 graduates. Abigail Shelly 鈥�20 is carving out a path as an educator and high school cross-country and track coach in Washington, and Allison Shelly 鈥�22  is a content writer for ELS and assistant triathlon coach at 黑料正能量 for the 2023-24 season following a standout athletic career as a Royal. Both products of Mississippi public schools, the Shelly girls were campus leaders at 黑料正能量 who live and invite multiple perspectives borne from their experiences. 

鈥淥ur two daughters had 鈥� an amazing experience at 黑料正能量, where they were given opportunities to flourish,鈥� said Paul Shelly, who has volunteered for the past 15 years as a high school cross-country coach. 鈥淭here were so many people at 黑料正能量, including professors, coaches, administrators, staff and friends, who played instrumental roles in who they have become. As a parent, I鈥檓 very thankful for all those people who took an interest in our children and their development.鈥� 

The Ohio native Paul and Lisa, from Pennsylvania, have grown by branching out of their comfort zones. Doing so far from their northern roots was a deliberate decision; they wanted to replant deep in southern soil. 

Lisa Shelly said, 鈥淲e had so much to learn about teaching in schools with a diverse cultural, low socioeconomic demographic. We had much to learn about being Northerners coming to the South with the many complexities of its history.鈥�

Paul Shelly added, 鈥淭he appeal to stay was that we were able to flourish in our careers and in life because we had a church that became our family and a school system that gave us opportunities to lead, develop professionally and make a difference in the lives of our students. I came to Mississippi for an adventure and an opportunity to serve, but the people of Mississippi have given to me so much love, acceptance, grace and opportunity鈥攆ar more than I deserve and even before they knew me. And that鈥檚 why Mississippi has become home.鈥� 

The Shellys personify service鈥攆rom teaching in Mississippi and becoming school administrators to residing in an intentional community and supporting the growth and development of , a small Mississippi congregation where Paul served for six years as junior high Sunday school teacher and Lisa headed up the pastoral search committee. (Paul counts a pipeline of at least nine young adults from Jubilee Mennonite who have gone on to become 黑料正能量 students.)

The couple has gone above and beyond, also volunteering as tutors, board members and coaches at . The Shellys continuously plant seeds that will exponentially produce a more just and equitable future. 

Since the 1960s, Pine Lake Fellowship Camp has continued its ministry to many people of different races and backgrounds, and still today, the spirit of fellowship and reconciliation shines upon everyone who comes to camp. 

鈥淧aul has served on the board of Pine Lake for numerous years, and Lisa was very active in the , serving on the board and volunteering often,鈥� Mullet said. 鈥淪he also served as Jubilee鈥檚 ministry coordinator for about four years before going back into administration.鈥� 

Paul and Lisa Shelly will be recognized on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Opening Homecoming Celebration Breakfast in Yoder Arena. Following a morning worship service on Oct. 15, 黑料正能量 also will host a luncheon in honor of the Shellys, 2023 Alumnus of the Year Andy Dula 鈥�91, and 2023 Outstanding Young Alum Basil Marin 鈥�10. 

鈥淲hen I reflect on my time at 黑料正能量 and the years since then that have been spent in Mississippi, I think of the many people along the way who have invested so heavily in our lives and given us so much grace, wisdom, time, opportunity, and more,鈥� Paul Shelly concluded. 鈥淎ny service that we have done along the way pales in comparison to what people have poured into us.鈥�