The Ready yoUrself For the Future Leader (RUFF) organization at Discovery Middle School has presented its first award to honor adult role models.

Steve Spray, center, received the first MenPACT award from RUFF at Discovery Middle School (Photo courtesy of Anthony Graham)

RUFF selected Steve Spray to receive its MenPACT award. RUFF founder and sponsor Anthony Graham said the MenPACT award “recognizes outstanding male individuals in our community who are making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

“Steve is an amazing man of character and seems to always put people first,” Graham said.

During his career, Spray worked in human resources and management counseling. Spray now works as customer service leader at Chick-fil-A at 7885 U.S. 72 W. in Madison. He also works part time at Publix.

He and wife Judy are active members at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Their daughter Stephanie is completing her doctorate degree in anthropology and videography at Harvard University.

“Receiving the award was a very humbling experience. I was completely surprised,” Spray said. “I try to be a good servant and reflect the love of the Lord to others.”

Graham agreed that Spray was surprised. “Steve even said, ‘I think I need to sit down!'”

‘MenPACT’ was chosen for the award’s name because RUFF’s mission “is to empower young men to be outstanding leaders in our community. Therefore, we wanted to find men right here that impact the community in a positive way,” Graham said.

RUFF members can freely chose nominees and must explain reasons why the person deserves the award.

The RUFF boys and Graham presented the award and a certificate to Spray on Dec. 1. Chick-fil-A also gave him a gift.

In other recent service work, RUFF raised $250 for the Boys & Girls Club in Triana. “We went to the Boys & Girls Club on Dec. 7, had food and presented the check to the director,” Graham said. Graham teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math at Discovery.

RUFF will present its next MenPACT award in January.