On May 22, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) held a ceremony to show appreciation for 39 outstanding Community Honorees. Every year, the district asks each of its school sites to identify a special individual or dynamic duo who has dedicated their time and energy to volunteering to support students and staff. These individuals embody the district’s core values of excellence, collaboration, integrity, and innovation. Annually, this evening serves as a cherished tradition in the school district.
Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss welcomed those in attendance sharing, “Each and every year, our supportive volunteers donate their time, energy, and talents to aiding our district’s important mission of inspiring all students through rigorous and relevant educational experiences that empower them to become responsible, ethical, and contributing citizens.”
Executive Director of Special Education/SELPA, Renee Gray, and Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Liz Leon, then took a moment to speak about each honorees’ contributions and presented them with a PYLUSD “You Are the Advantage” certificate of achievement. School principals accompanied their respective honorees to be honored and shake hands with Board of Education Members and district leadership. They also received a PYLUSD challenge coin. Loved ones, coworkers, and fellow community members packed the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center in order to cheer on the honorees as they received special thanks.
To close the ceremony, Board President Shawn Youngblood shared the following: “When I think of the dedication you have shown to our organization this year and beyond, I am reminded of the famous quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Thank you for giving so much of your time and energy to our organization despite your busy schedules. We thank you for your invaluable contributions to our students, staff, and entire school district community.”
Here’s a full list of this year’s honorees:
| Community Honoree | School Name |
| Adrienne Elicker | Brookhaven Elementary School |
| Sharon Zekiel | Bryant Ranch School |
| Casie Diaz | Fairmont Elementary School |
| Dipesh Garach | Glenknoll Elementary School |
| Erica Perez | Glenview Elementary School |
| Megan Wiles | Golden Elementary School |
| Karen Egan | Golden Elementary School |
| Jacquelyn Kuo | Lakeview Elementary School |
| Kristin Adams | Linda Vista Elementary School |
| Susan Barnes | Mabel Paine Elementary School |
| Brenda Uriostegui | Melrose Elementary School |
| Angeles Valenz | Melrose Elementary School |
| Emeralda Carrillo, April Flores | Morse Elementary School |
| Alison Sotomayor | Rio Vista Elementary School |
| Katie Tang | Rose Drive Elementary School |
| Phil Johnson | Rose Drive Elementary School |
| Carmina Gonzalez | Ruby Drive Elementary School |
| Debbie Venderley | Sierra Vista Elementary School |
| Kristen Whitmore | Topaz Elementary School |
| Bree Voage | Travis Ranch School (TK-8) |
| Silvia Phan | Tynes Elementary School |
| Lindsay Espinoza | Van Buren Elementary School |
| Correna Becerra | Wagner Elementary School |
| Alyssa Gramer | Woodsboro Elementary School |
| Michelle Kamai | Bernardo Yorba Middle School |
| Subba Mungi | Kraemer Middle School |
| Jessica Ruggles | Tuffree Middle School |
| Amita Desai | Valadez Middle School Academy |
| Inoka Khalid | Yorba Linda Middle School |
| Tanya La Soya | El Camino Real High School |
| Ken Colby | El Dorado High School |
| Denise Colby | El Dorado High School |
| Valerie Coulombe | Esperanza High School |
| Maria Franco | Valencia High School |
| Stephanie Mancini | Yorba Linda High School |
| Stacey Wong | Buena Vista Virtual Academy |
| Alicia Cairns | George Key School |
| Melissa Kipe | Parkview School |
| Lysa Finley | Venture Academy |
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