NEWS                                                               Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        880 S. Lemon Avenue

November 3, 2011                                          Walnut, CA 91789

Contact:       

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

WALNUT, CA— The Board of Trustees honored Walnut High School senior Chesley Ekelem with a Certificate of Special Recognition for Excellence during the November 2 meeting.

Chesley is a student leader on our campus, said Principal Jeff Jordan.

“She is an amazing young lady with a never quit attitude. She has excelled in co-curricular activities and the rigorous academic International Baccalaureate (IB) program,” he said. She has attended Walnut Valley Schools since kindergarten.

She has had a leadership role in Track, Peer Counseling, National Honor Society, and the Black Student Union.

Teachers and coaches have characterized Chesley as dedicated and committed to being the best, Jordan said. 

As a junior, she practiced one of the toughest Track events – the pole vault. By the end of the year, she vaulted 10’9” and advanced to the CIF Finals.

Chesley said her involvement in activities has kept her connected to school, helped others, and she has become a better person too.  She is applying to Brown, Stanford, and Washington Universities and hopes to become a doctor or veterinarian.

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Our outstanding District nurses Lisa McIntire, Carol Lee, and Theresa Guest were honored for their years of service to our students.  With ongoing mandates and new immunization requirements, they continue to exemplify outstanding work ethic with 100% compliance results.

“Their task of caring for the 14, 675 students in the District is awesome. I am proud to commend them!” said Director of Pupil Personnel Jan Keating.

“They may be small in number, but they are mighty in their responsibility and their work ethic,” she added. 

Lisa has worked in Walnut Valley for 18 years, Carol for 5 years, and Theresa for 14 years.  They are also responsible for an award the District received from the California Dental Association for consistently making oral health a priority. WVUSD is among only 15% of the schools districts in the State to consistently collect and report dental check-ups.

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Board Member Carolyn Elfelt was recognized for 12 years of exemplary service during the meeting on November 2.  She is retiring at the end of her term that expires in December.

The Trustees reflected on their special memories of Carolyn’s dedication to the District.  President Cindy Ruiz said Carolyn spent many years prior to her service on the Board of Trustees as a parent volunteer and fundraiser.

“We are a great team and we just wanted to say thank you,” she said.

Carolyn proudly introduced sons Patrick and Steven, both Walnut Valley graduates, and her granddaughter.

Larry Redinger presented an engraved plaque and spoke of Carolyn’s dedication to the building of South Pointe Middle School.

Nancy Lyons said she appreciated Carolyn’s expertise and great sense of humor that has helped break the ice during difficult times.

Helen Hall said she has known Carolyn since their children were in kindergarten together at Castle Rock Elementary where they were both very involved in the Community Club.

“Carolyn has always been a great volunteer, very gracious, and very dedicated to the District. And we are truly going to miss you!”

Shown:

Board President Cindy Ruiz, District Nurses Carol Lee, Lisa McIntire, Theresa Guest, and Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin. 

Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin, Board Members Helen Hall, Nancy Lyons, Carolyn Elfelt, Cindy Ruiz, and Larry Redinger.