The WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation sponsored the 14th annual “A Class Act” Cornerstone Awards held at Pomona Valley Mining Company Feb 1.
The Cornerstone Award recognizes an exemplary classified (non-teaching) employee that has gone “above and beyond the call of duty” in providing outstanding customer service to the District and community.
“It’s been a long-time tradition in Walnut Valley to come together and recognize our employees. I’d like to congratulate tonight’s Cornerstone honorees and all of our classified employees for their hard work for the district,“ said Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin.
Dr. Kathy Granger, assistant superintendent of human resources and Robert Chang, director of human resources hosted the employee recognition ceremony.
The 2012 Cornerstone Award winners are as follows: Sharon Dea, Library Media Technician - Evergreen Elementary; Sharon Pauge, Noon Aide – Vejar Elementary;
Gabriella Manganiello, Office Assistant – Collegewood Elementary; Vicki Robinson, Instructional Aide II Special Education – Quail Summit Elementary; Judy Quimpo, Instructional Aide II Physical Education - Quail Summit Elementary; Susan Rinear,Instructional Aide II Physical Education – Quail Summit Elementary; Geri Munoz, School Office Manager – Chaparral Middle School; Suzette Ramirez, Instructional Aide I – Vejar Elementary; Trisha Esquivel-Castaneda, Career Vocational Assistant – Walnut High;
Sydney Chen, Instructional Aide II Bilingual/Bicultural – Educational Services; Martha Arellano, Child Welfare & Attendance Worker – Educational Services; and Samantha Horton, Bus Driver Trainer – Transportation.
Horton was named the District 2012 Classified Employee of the Year at the culmination of the event. For the past 25 years, Samantha has been dedicated to putting kids’ safety first. Our bus drivers are the first person and often last person students see each school day - and that can make a big difference in their lives. Samantha makes sure our drivers are doing the best job possible for this precious cargo!
Samantha is also in charge of training our drivers who have to constantly re-certify to stay up to date as laws and safety regulations change. She is dedicated to paying close attention to these details and then prepares our drivers for the examinations. Walnut Valley has a great recordwith the DMV and CHP departments and Samantha is a huge part of that.
“She is what makes the Transportation Team a success,” said Jeff Bloedorn, director of maintenance and operations.
“I’m honored and proud to be here and I’m very surprised!” said Samantha Horton as she accepted the employee of the year engraved award. “It’s been a wonderful 25 years making this my career and a part of my life.”
Personnel Commissioner and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation President Gayle Pacheco praised the recipients.
“Our classified employees are truly the backbone of the district and they make Walnut Valley what it is. Thank you to each of you for what you to for kids,” Pacheco said.
Each of the honorees received an engraved award courtesy of the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation and certificate of special recognition.
“Congratulations to all of you. It’s wonderful to be part of a school district that has such dedicated employees and we appreciate all of you,” said Personnel Commissioner June Wentworth.
Felloer Personnel Commissioner Ron Everett, who represented the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation and the Diamond Bar City Council, also congratulated the employees on a job well done.
“For the past 20 years, it’s been a delight meeting our classified employees and learning about jobs that are so critical in helping make Walnut Valley one of the best districts in the state,” he said.
Walnut Valey Board of Trustees President Helen Hall said the employees deserve the recognition.
“It’s very important to recognize the employees who have dedicated themselves to the district," Hall said. "Every single employee in Walnut Valley is special. And we can always track it back to kids and Samantha’s job is a huge job making sure kids are safe.”
A special thanks to our sponsors Schools First Federal Credit Union, Sandy Best- BB& T Insurance Services, Massage Envy, and LifeTouch Photography.
--Walnut Valley Unified School District
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