Tag Archives: Walnut Valley Educational Foundation

Parents And Education Partners Shine At Night of Stars Gala

Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile Westhoff Elementary parent, David Morales, was honored at the WVEF Night of the Stars gala. Shown with Bob Pacheco and Eileen Ansari.


Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile
Westhoff Elementary parent, David Morales, was honored at the WVEF Night of the Stars gala. Shown with Bob Pacheco and Eileen Ansari.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – A stellar group of Walnut Valley parent volunteers and community partners were honored during the Night of the Stars gala held May 7 at the Diamond Bar Center.

The inaugural event, sponsored by the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation, lauded exemplary parents, education and service partners, and distinguished alumnus.

Distinguished parent honorees were Sam and Nancy Castorena (Castle Rock Elementary); Amy Noiboonsook (C.J. Morris Elementary); Christina Kondo and Lily Eibert (Collegewood Elementary); Kathleen Strudwick (Evergreen Elementary); Anna Amezcua ( Quail Summit Elementary); Steve Hernandez (Maple Hill Elementary); Margaret Bersch (Vejar Elementary); Ted and Vickie Ohashi (Walnut Elementary); David Morales (Westhoff Elementary); Yara Sands (Chaparral Middle School); Monica McQuilkin (South Pointe Middle School); Cecilia Yeh (Suzanne Middle School); Rachel Chang (Diamond Bar High); and Diane Takahashi (Walnut High).

“I’m so thankful that the Foundation found this opportunity to publicly thank you for all that you do,” Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor said.

“It takes a village of dedicated parent volunteers and partners in education who generously donate their time and talents with our schools,” said Board Member Cindy Ruiz.

“Even if you can’t chair a fundraiser, every little bit counts and is appreciated!” added C.J. Morris honoree Amy Noiboonsook.

“This award is a tremendous honor that I will treasure forever,” said South Pointe parent, Monica McQuilkin, who is passionate about serving Walnut Valley students, teachers, and staff members. “My goal is to engage our families and communities because together we can accomplish the impossible!”

Walnut High 2014 graduate, Adanna Duru, an “American Idol” top 10 finalist, was named the Distinguished Alumni Honoree.

Distinguished Education Partner awards were presented to Steve Acciani, the Diamond Bar High Instrumental Music Director, and Schools First Federal Credit Union.

Rotary Club of Walnut Valley received the Distinguished Service Partner award and Penske

Mercedes-Benz of West Covina was honored with the Distinguished Business Partner award.

The celebration of education also featured standout Walnut High senior Jeffery Huang and alumni parents, Royal Morris and Sam Wright, who praised the school district’s exceptional teachers and staff members, academic programs, and parent support.

“Walnut Valley is a fantastic school district,” Wright said. “I’m proud every time I can help this district.”

 

Walnut Valley Elementary Students Awarded New Bikes

BY KELLI GILE

Diamond Bar – One student from each of the nine Walnut Valley elementary schools was honored on September 8. The select group of youngsters had no idea they’d also be receiving brand new bikes during the presentation held at Maple Hill Elementary.

WVUSD-Students-get bikes

Nine Walnut Valley elementary students were honored during a ceremony on September 8 and were surprised when they received brand new bikes! (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

“The 45-member Leadership Team organized the event to pay tribute to nine of the most outstanding students in the entire District,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

Each elementary principal, joined by team members, introduced their student and presented a certificate of special recognition. Students were heralded for their hard work, determination, kindness, and making a difference on their campuses.

“They have accomplished a great deal in their educational career already,” Dr. Taylor added.

The honorees are Isabella Acuña (Castle Rock), Melanie Mendietta (Collegewood), Isaac Ochoa (C.J. Morris), Chris Gonzalez (Evergreen), Delia Paula Jaramillo (Maple Hill), Juliet Lugo (Quail Summit), Everhett Cohen (Vejar), Randolph Clark (Walnut Elementary), and Natalie Mora-Monarrez (Westhoff).

“We were thinking, you’re the nine best students in the whole district! What could we do to show how special we really think you are?” said Superintendent Dr. Taylor. “So we called our Walnut Valley Educational Foundation and asked if they would support the project,” he added.

At that signal, nine brand new pink and red bicycles were wheeled into the multi-purpose room for the surprised students, surrounded by their families.

The children beamed when they saw the bikes! They also received matching safety helmets.

“We are so happy to work as a team in support of our schools, teachers, and our kids,” said Foundation President, Cecilia Yeh.

During the summer, members of the Leadership Team, comprised of school and district administrators, assembled the bikes purchased by the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.

“Watching our Leadership group work in teams to build bikes for a selected student at each elementary school was so heartwarming. Knowing that we were going to honor students for their academic accomplishments, along with a gift of a bike, reaffirmed our district’s KIDS FIRST philosophy. I am so proud to have been a part of this event!” said Jackie Brown, Director of Educational Programs.

 

Walnut: Golf Tournament Educational Foundation

BY WALNUT VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Get ready to satisfy your “driving” ambition at the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation’s 17th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on Thurs., June 12, at the California Country Club in Whittier.

The tournament is a four-person scramble format. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., with a shot-gun start at 11 a.m. Individual and team award presentations will be made at a banquet dinner. Individual registration is $150 and includes green fee, cart, range balls, lunch, awards dinner, and prizes. Several sponsorship packages are also available. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.

The Walnut Valley Educational Foundation is committed to raising important financial support for special programs offered to students in the Walnut Valley Unified School District. Proceeds of the tournament will be allocated to the athletic related grants and requests, and 100% of the funds raised go directly to benefit the students.

For reservations and information, please call Tournament Chairman, Bryan Cole, at (909) 730-1314.

 

 

Walnut Valley: WVUSD to Honor Classified Employees

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) will honor the monthly 2013 Cornerstone Award recipients during the 15th Annual Class Act Gala on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Twelve classified (non-teaching) employees received this award for providing outstanding service to the District.

Congratulations to the following honorees:

January: Margaret Wong, School Office Manager, Evergreen Elementary
February: Sharon Liu, Instructional Aide-I, Bilingual/Bicultural, Maple Hill Elementary
March: Laura Morris, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, C.J. Morris Elementary
April: Shelley Patton, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Maple Hill Elementary
May: Lorraine Gomez, Health Clerk, Suzanne Middle School
June: Yenny Ong, Food Service Worker-II, Quail Summit Elementary
July: Monica Cazares, Accounting Assistant-II, Child Care Program
August: Patricia Acevez, Office Assistant/Health Clerk, Vejar Elementary
September: Patti Malatacca, School Office Manager, Quail Summit Elementary
October: Maria Cabrera, Instructional Aide-II, Vejar Elementary
November: Marilyn Higa, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Evergreen Elementary
December: Gale Taylor, Library Media Technician-II, South Pointe Middle School

The Classified Employee-of-the-Year will be announced at the culmination of the program, sponsored by the WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for Adults. For reservations, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 595-1261, by January 24.

The Pomona Valley Mining Company is located at 1777 Gillette Road in Pomona.