NEWS                                                                                        Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 880 S. Lemon Avenue

February 6, 2012                                                                     Walnut, CA 91789

Contact:       

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

WALNUT, CA—Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) honored the twelve 2011 Cornerstone Award winners on February 3. 

The WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation sponsored the 13th annual “A Class Act” Cornerstone Awards.

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. 

“Over the last year, I’ve been reminded that we are a family here in Walnut Valley and our classified employees are an integral part of this family,” 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 held at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Congratulations to the 2011 Cornerstone Award winners:  Betty Garcia, Food Service Worker II - Castle Rock Elementary: Kelby Riley, Child Care Attendant II - C.J. Morris Elementary; Jose Huerta, Custodian I - Westhoff Elementary; Adam Doty, Network System Specialist - Technology Department; Nicola San Juan, Library Media Technician II - Quail Summit Elementary; Cookie Alaniz, Child Care Supervisor - Maple Hill/Quail Summit Elementary; Kathy Martinez, Instructional Aide II, Special Education - Suzanne Middle School;  Jack Corcuera, Maintenance Worker III Carpenter –Maintenance & Operations; Efren Goytia, Grounds Maintenance Worker I –Maintenance & Operations; Debbie Palmer, Library Media Technician I - Walnut Elementary; Louis Fernandez, Mechanic II - Transportation Dept.; Linda Cuesta, Instructional Aide II, Special Education – Collegewood Elementary.

Adam Doty was named the District 2011 Classified Employee of the Year at the culmination of the event.  Adam joined the Technology Department in 2004 and is an extremely knowledgeable staff member who uses his expertise to support classified and certificated staff. He is passionate about the importance of teaching 21st century skills to our students. Adam has helped implement iPads, iTouches, and one-to-one laptop programs. To save the District money, he personally helped install wireless hardware in every school, giving his time on evenings and weekends, so that students could have wireless Internet access anywhere and anytime. He was nominated by Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Nancy Hogg.

“I feel lucky coming to work each day in an industry and area that I love, working with technology, and with really good people,“ said Adam Doty accepting the award.

“Through the years, we’ve seen some amazing people receive this award and the Personnel Commission did not fail this year in choosing Adam!” said Board President Larry Redinger who presented a first-time award on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

The Cornerstone Award is also dedicated in honor and memory of Grounds Supervisor Scott Tharp, who was named the first Cornerstone Award - Classified Employee of Year in 1999.  He worked in WVUSD for a decade and was an exemplary employee who cared for the District, for his Grounds crew, and went “above and beyond” each and every day.

“Scott was a model employee, a model family man, and I sensed this in Adam in all that I’ve read and seen. We’re pleased to recognize him as the Classified Employee of the Year,” said Personnel Chairperson Ron Everett.

Each of the honorees received an engraved award courtesy of the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation, certificate of special recognition from Senator Bob Huff, and gift certificate from the Schools First Federal Credit Union.

“You all do a beautiful job! I want to thank you very much for what you do for the children in Walnut Valley!” Commissioner June Wentworth said.

“All of you are winners!” said Commissioner Gayle Pacheco. “It’s been an amazing year getting to know each and every one of you.”

1. The Walnut Valley Unified School District Personnel Commission and Board of Trustees celebrated with the 2011 Cornerstone Award winners on February 3. Shown: Front Row:  Linda Cuesta, Betty Garcia, Debbie Palmer, Nicola San Juan, Kathy Martinez, Cookie Alaniz.  Back Row:  Board Members Cindy Ruiz, Larry Redinger, Commissioner June Wentworth, Member Helen Hall, Commissioner Gayle Pacheco, Member Nancy Lyons, Jose Huera, Efren Goytia, Louis Fernandez, Adam Doty, Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin, Kelby Riley, Commissioner Ron Everett, and Jack Corcuera. (2494)

2. Network System Specialist Adam Doty was named the 2011 Classified Employee of the Year at the “A Class Act” Cornerstone Awards. Shown with WVUSD Personnel Commissioners Ron Everett, June Wentworth, Gayle Pacheco, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources/ Director of Classified Personnel Dr. Kathy Granger.