NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
September 18, 2014 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909)595-1261 ext. 31204
Vejar Elementary Star Student and Community Partners Honored
Third grader Andrew Osorio remembered
WALNUT, CA--The Walnut Valley Unified Board of Trustees recognized the Vejar Elementary Super Star Student and Community Partners on September 17.
“Andrew Osorio was selected as our Super Star Student for his bravery, his hard work, and his positive attitude that exemplified not just the Vejar Values, but a strong human spirit,” said Principal Jennifer De Anda during the Board Meeting.
During the presentation, she showed slides from a visit with Andrew at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles earlier this month. Andrew had been on transplant list due to a congenital heart problem.
“I had the honor of presenting him with a Super Star recognition,” De Anda said.
She then recalled some special memories of the special Vejar student.
There were times when Andrew would come into the office due to his condition because he couldn’t participate in physical education, De Anda explained.
“And so during that time he would come in and rest. When other students came in because they were injured or weren’t feeling well – Andrew would console them, he would joke with them, and read them stories. He was very sweet and caring,” she said.
Andrew sadly passed away on September 3.
De Anda shared that Andrew’s unending smile and his brave “thumbs up” were inspirational to the Vejar community.
Last spring, teacher Jamie Highstreet, office manager Yadira Gostel, student leaders, and the community club rallied around Andrew to help raise money for his medical expenses.
Kelli Gile, public information liaison and Rich Irwin, San Gabriel Valley Tribune reporter received the Partner in Education Award for their help with the fundraiser.
“Thanks to them, our Have a Heart campaign made the newspapers and brought in even more money,” the Vejar principal explained.
“They both went out of their way to publicize our fundraiser to help Andrew’s family. They spoke with him and with the family with the kindness and empathy that helped them feel at ease,” she said.
As a result, the school was able to give the family nearly $3,000 from the Walnut community.
“Thank you Rich and Kelli for having a heart for Vejar. You truly are our community helpers.”
The Osorio family has invited students, staff, and community members to share their favorite memories of Andrew at www.AndrewOsorio.Foundation.
Shown:
Andrew Osorio was named the Super Star Student at Vejar Elementary and was honored during the September 19 Board Meeting. The eight-year-old sadly passed away on September 3 due to a congenital heart condition. Shown: Andrew giving his trademark “thumbs up” during a summer-time visit to the school.
Rich Irwin, San Gabriel Valley Tribune reporter and Kelli Gile, WVUSD public information liaison were recognized with the Partner in Education Award during the September 17 Board Meeting. Shown with Board President Cindy Ruiz and Vejar Elementary principal Jennifer De Anda.
Board President Cindy Ruiz presented Super Star Student Andrew Osorio’s mother, Guillermina, with a certificate of recognition. The Osorio family has invited students, staff, and community members to share their favorite memories of Andrew at www.AndrewOsorio.Foundation.
The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees honored the Vejar Elementary Super Star Student Andrew Osorio, in memoriam, and Partners in Education Rich Irwin and Kelli Gile during the September 17 meeting. Shown with Board President Cindy Ruiz, Vejar Principal Jennifer De Anda, teachers Jamie Highstreet, resource specialist Nadine Adnoff, office manager Yadira Gostel, and the Osorio family.