The S.C.V. Newhall Optimist Club had it ups and it downs this past month. On a sad note we lost a very dear member, but more then that a friend and part of our Optimist family. Dottie Brockman was small in stature, but large in heart and optimism, she put up a valiant fight but succumbed to cancer on May 22.
She was an inspiration to all that knew her and she will be missed. On the up-side, my husband Mike whom you all have read about in several issues was given a clean bill of health after undergoing many chemotherapy treatments for the return of his cancer. Although he will still have to undergo some additional surgery, the doctors are Optimistic that he will come through this with flying colors.
In keeping with our motto of bringing out the best in kids, we are pleased to announce that we held our annual Youth Appreciation and Teachers Appreciation awards presentation.
Our Youth Appreciation honorees who received this distinguished award were Tianah Anderdson and Kyungwon Lee. Anderdson was awarded for her service to her school, community and most of all for her involvement with Heads Up, a local Santa Clarita Valley horseback riding group. Lee who is the current president of the La Mesa Junior Optimist Club, was not able to come because she was attending La Mesa Middle School annual awards presentation. One of her projects during her tenure as club president included a successful clothing and shoe drive for Domestic Violence. Both of these young ladies emulate everything that the Junior Optimist and Optimist creeds evoke.
Rounding out the evening were distinguished educators from Santa Clarita; Dena Rusk, a teacher at Mountain View Elementary School; Rick Pardi, English teacher, La Mesa Middle School and Harbir Hayreh, a Special Education teacher at Valencia High School. All three of these honorees have over 50 hours of teaching and helping to bring out the best in kids, each in their own field of expertise. We are so lucky to have educators of their caliber and know that they will continue to do so in the future.
Congratulations to all of the above honorees, their families and friends. As summer nears, and school ends please remember we’re all here to help bring out the best in kids, yours, mine and kids everywhere.
Until next month.