OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Patricia Ball, left, shakes hands with Dunkirk City School District Superintendent Michael Mansfield upon receiving the William T. Colman Award.

Dozens of well-wishers cheered Patricia Ball as she received the Dunkirk City School District’s annual William T. Colman Award.

Ball is getting $15,000 in the award and is the 50th recipient. The money comes from a trust fund established in 1973 off Colman’s will. Proceeds from the fund are awarded once a year to a deserving, retired teacher who taught for at least 10 years in the Dunkirk City School District.

“I am honored and I am humbled,” said Ball, adding that many other teachers are deserving of the award.

“I love teaching students,” she declared. The district’s employees were great and “they made my job a pleasure.”

Ball also thanked her family for supporting her through long hours.

She got a standing ovation when District Superintendent Michael Mansfield gave her the award certificate.