NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
April 17, 2015 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
WVUSD Board Recognizes Super Stars, Community Partners, and Music K-8 winners
WALNUT, CA—Walnut Valley’s Board of Trustees honored stellar students and dedicated community members during the April 15 meeting.
Evergreen Elementary fifth grader Amber Wang was honored with the Super Star Student Award.
Wang won the Scary Story Contest sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. She plays the flute and performed with an erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, during the talent show. She’s also a team player in the robotics program. For Famous American Day, Wang dressed up as Steve Jobs and convinced everyone to go out and buy Apple products.
We’re very proud of her!” said Principal Carolyn Wills.
Two committed community members received the school’s Partner in Education Award.
Lynette Marantz has been a dedicated Evergreen volunteer for the past 15 years. She’s filled nearly every position in Community Club, helped organize the Talent Show, Walk-a-Thon, and served as president of the Community Club the past two years.
“She’s a true team player and really demonstrates that volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart!” Wills said.
Hailey Shi is a talented former Evergreen student who donated her time and talents to paint a “giving tree” mural to recognize generous Community Club donations. She credits her elementary teachers for recognizing and encouraging her artistic talents. Shi is now a freshman at Diamond Bar High.
South Pointe Middle School sixth grader David Perez received the Super Star Student Award. Although life is sometimes filled with challenges, this positive young man chooses to address adversity with a smile.
“He spreads joy wherever he goes!” Principal Susan Arzola said. Perez sang and danced on stage as Sebastian in this year’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” He also carries an Honor Roll G.P.A.
South Pointe’s Community Club treasurer Dr. Vivian Lu was honored with the Partner in Education Award. Dr. Lu is also a dentist who helped someone at the school suffering from an acutely abscessed tooth. Dr. Lu treated the infection and made school visits to ensure that her directions were followed. She provided thousands of dollars in additional dental care to ensure the person no longer suffered.
“Dr. Lu not only takes care of our students and makes sure our finances are in order, but she is generous with her time, skills and compassion,” Arzola stated.
Parent volunteer Kelly Eazor received the Partner in Education Award. Eazor recently lent her creativity to decorate the reception and organize a photo display for South Pointe’s 25th anniversary party. She created the backdrops for the Little Mermaid production, saving the school thousands of dollars. Eazor even sells nachos after school to support the performing arts program.
“We couldn’t do great things without her!” said Arzola.
Diamond Bar High School’s South Asian Parents Association (SAPA) co-presidents Lubna Akbany and Archana Verma received the Partner in Education Award.
“Lubna and Archana have been able to unite people of all races and creeds in support of our most valuable resources – our children,” Principal Catherine Real said. “The characteristics of compassion, intelligence, and vision are all wrapped up in these wonderful examples of humanity and volunteerism,” she added.
Diamond Bar High senior Ruben Reyes received the Super Star Senior Award.
“Reuben was selected because is such a great representative of the four-A’s – academics, activities, arts, and athletics,” Real said. He has been accepted at both Stanford and Harvard.
Reyes’ accolades include 10 AP classes, class officer all four years, Best Buddies Club president and member of national organization, yearbook staff, and varsity cross country and track athlete. He is described by teachers as a humble-servant leader who always puts the needs of others first.
The DBHS Varsity Girls Golf Team and coach Tony McCabe were recognized for their extraordinary achievement of winning the CIF State Championship.
The DBHS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club was voted as the “Most Professional Chapter” in 2015, out of 280 chapters at the annual conference. More than 200 student delegates elected member Crystal Chang as a state officer for the 2015-2016 school year.
The DBHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club and advisor Ty Watkins were honored with certificates of recognition. The chapter has grown in the last nine years from only four members to nearly 300 chapter members. The club successfully vied in numerous competitive events at the 2015 Inland Section Conference.
Twenty-four young artists were recognized as winners of the 2015 Music K-8 Magazine Cover Contest. Music Specialist Judy Brunelle introduced the talented elementary students who received certificates of recognition and color prints of their artwork.
This year’s top WVUSD winner is Westhoff Elementary fifth grader Madison Hsieh, 7th place Runner-Up. Top Finalists: Jessica Tran, Eric Hwang, Jesse Dong, Anica Chan, and Carissa Jeon. Finalists are Lewis Weng, Jason Dong, Mia Fleugeman, Stephanie Yeh, Ivy Liu, Kate Li, Melody Mao, and Iris Ko. Honorable Mention Awards: Kelly Han, Rachel Lee, Stephanie Frietze, Wesley Macamay, Chelsie Tanjuanquio, Josephine Choi, Catherina Tao, Kevin Jung, Lucy Zheng, and Jeremy Chua.
Shown:
Evergreen Elementary fifth grader Amber Wang was honored with the Super Star Student Award. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.
Evergreen parent volunteer Lynette Marantz was awarded the Partner in Education Award. Shown with family members, Principal Carolyn Wills, and Board President Larry Redinger.
Former Evergreen student Hailey Shi received the Partner in Education Award. Shown with parents, Principal Carolyn Wills, and Board President Larry Redinger.
South Pointe Middle School 6th grader David Perez was honored with the Super Star Student Award. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.
South Pointe parent volunteer Dr. Vivian Lu was awarded the Partner in Education Award. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.
Shown with family members, Principal Susan Arzola, SSRA Barb Frank, SSRA Nathan Newman, and Board President Larry Redinger.
South Pointe parent volunteer Kelly Eazor was honored with the Partner in Education Award. Shown with family members, Principal Susan Arzola, teacher Robin Wadsworth, and Board President Larry Redinger.
Diamond Bar High School’s South Asian Parents Association (SAPA) co-presidents Lubna Akbany and Archana Verma received Partner in Education Awards. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.
Diamond Bar High senior Ruben Reyes received the Super Star Senior Award. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.
Shown with family members, Principal Catherine Real, and Board President Larry Redinger.
The Board recognized the DBHS Varsity Girls Golf Team and coach Tony McCabe for their extraordinary achievement of winning the CIF State Championship. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger and Principal Catherine Real.
The Board of Trustees recognized the DBHS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club during the April 15 meeting. Shown: Principal Catherine Real, Thomas Liu, Crystal Chang, and advisor Chase Paulson.
The DBHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club and advisor Ty Watkins were also honored with certificates of recognition. Shown with Principal Catherine Real and Board President Larry Redinger.
Twenty-four young artists were recognized as winners of the 2015 Music K-8 Magazine Cover Contest. Shown: Top Finalist winners with Music Specialist Judy Brunelle and Board President Larry Redinger.