District names Art Regier Volunteers of the Year

April 16, 2013
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District names Art Regier Volunteers of the Year
In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Superintendent Mick Miller is proud to announce Van Woolfe, JoAnne Savage, Caty Ramirez, Kara Schulke, Kanet Turner, Margarita Almanza, John Ladderud, Katie Christianson and Kathryn Southwick Hess as the district’s 2012-2013 Art Regier Volunteers of the Year.

The Award
The Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Award was instituted in 1991 as a memorial to “Grandpa Art” Regier. Regier, a retiree who devoted years of service to elementary schools in Walla Walla, epitomized the spirit of volunteerism in education. His tireless dedication and concern for the students he served are the inspiration for this award.

Criteria for selection may include the following:
1. Exceptional service or contributions to the children of Walla Walla Public Schools
2. Unusual dedication
3. Demonstration of care, compassion and empathy

Van Woolfe – Walla Walla High School Pottery Program
Nominator – John Butenhoff

He volunteers in John Butenhoff’s Open Studio evening program
Van dedicates four to five hours every Wednesday evening
He helps students work with clay and learn how to use the pottery wheel

Nominator John Buttenhoff said: “He has true compassion for kids and understands the connection of working with your hands and helping kids feel good about learning a skill.”

JoAnne Savage – Homelink Program
Nominators: Connie Taylor-Randall, Kate Venneri, Pam Clayton and Valerie Gentzler

JoAnne has volunteered in the Homelink Program the past two years for two to three days per week
She organizes and catalogues the Homelink Curriculum library
She bar codes newly purchased instructional supplemental materials for parents
Her efforts have helped bring the library into compliance with Alternative Learning Experience laws.

Nominator Connie Taylor Randall said: “JoAnne has been at the heart of bringing our curriculum library into compliance. She gives her absolute personal best. She gives us hope.”

Caty Ramirez – Edison Elementary
Nominators: Sarah Rathbun

Caty volunteers Monday through Thursday at Edison
She supports the Spanish and Language Arts and writing areas
Caty supports learning by facilitating small group activities
She also provides one-on-one support for struggling readers

Nominator Sarah Rathbun said: "Caty takes an interest in the growth of our students, often coming up with suggestions and ideas to help them become better readers. She is wonderful!"

Kara Schulke – Garrison Middle School and Prospect Point Elementary
Nominators: Jackie Scholl, Gina Yonts, Chris Gardea

Kara has volunteered at Garrison for the past two years and seven years at Prospect Point
Kara has held leadership roles on the Prospect Point PTA in support of Miles Club, Book Fairs, the school carnival, FunDRun and Family Nights
She has supported literacy at Prospect Point by co-chairing the Accelerated Reading Program
At Garrison, she has already volunteered more than 60 hours this school year
She supported the Cookie Dough Fundraiser and is a tremendous support to classroom teachers

Nominator Gina Yonts said: “We greatly appreciate Kara, her can-do spirit and her willingness to stay involved in positive ways in our school. Chris Gardea said, “Kara Schulke consistently demonstrates exceptional service to the children of Walla Walla.”

Kanet Turner – Sharpstein PTA, Walla Walla Citizens for Schools and district athletic programs
Nominators: Matt Bona and Brandy Martinez

Kanet currently serves as the Sharpstein PTA President
Helped coordinate: Book Fair, Change for Good fundraiser, Math-a-Thon, and school carnival
She plans Family Movie Nights and the annual trip to the Corn Maze
Kanet also volunteers to organize the monthly Popcorn Friday activity for students to enjoy at recess
She was actively involved in the Citizens for School Wa-Hi bond campaign
Kanet also support district athletic programs and events

Nominator Brandy Martinez said: “Kanet certainly has a heart for our students and families. However, she is equally thoughtful of our staff. During parent teacher conferences she coordinated meals to be served to teachers. She implemented the “Teacher Wish List” to communicate small wishful items needed for the classroom. She certainly deserves this recognition.”

Margarita Almanza – Blue Ridge Elementary
Nominator – Kim Doepker

Margarita volunteers most every day at Blue Ridge
She starts her day in the cafeteria helping students with breakfast
She averages about four hours of volunteer service to the school each day
Margarita also completes office duties and supports the school’s emergency planning process

Nominator Kim Doepker said: “Margarita goes above and beyond to help us here at Blue Ridge. I greatly appreciate and praise her enthusiasm and dedication. She is truly someone special.”

John Ladderud – Prospect Point Elementary
Nominators – Michele Briones, Leah Taylor, Debbie Smyth and Karen Watson

John has volunteered for the past four years at Prospect Point
Each Monday, John arrives early enough at school to socialize with the children on the playground
He then goes to the classroom where nominators say “he gets down to business”
He begins the morning by checking math packets and then works individually or in groups with students who need additional math instruction
John also enjoys working with the fourth grade students on their book club reading

Nominator Michele Briones said: “John possesses a unique quality of positively influencing the students to work hard and take pride in what they have done. He has a wonderful sense of humor that encourages students to be engaged in lifelong learning.”

Katie Christianson and Kathryn Southwick Hess – Safe Travels Alliance
Nominators – Michelle Higgins, Donna Painter, Ki Bealey and Pete Peterson

In the fall of 2010, Katie and Kathryn formed To & From: The Safe Travels Alliance
This group is dedicated to school zone safety
Katie and Kathryn felt compelled to take action after four students were hit by cars on their way to school in 2010
They formed a broad-based group of district staff, city and county officials, and law enforcement
They have coordinated improvements at Berney, Wa-Hi, Edison, Pioneer, Blue Ridge and Garrison
They are made changes through low-cost collaborative problem solving. Safety improvements include better signage, curb painting, law enforcement support and crosswalk additions.

Nominator and City Public Works Director Ki Bealey said: “In times of shrinking budgets and limited staff resources, their volunteer efforts and commitment to collaborative constructive improvements is an asset to our community that needs to be acknowledged.”