District names Art Regier Volunteers of the Year

PHOTO L-R: Sam Wells, Jean Gibbs, Donna Chapin, Linda Arms, Linda Clark and Dr. Bill Jordan. Not present: Darrell and Von Gomsrud.

In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Walla Walla Public Schools is proud to announce Darrell and Von Gomsrud, Donna Chapin, Linda Clark, Jean Gibbs, and Linda Arms as the district’s 2014-2015 Art Regier Volunteers of the Year.

Darrell and Von Gomsrud – Green Park Elementary (for more than seven years)
Nominators – Diane Mires, Jean Tobin, Missy Johnson and Gina Yonts
- They provide meals during conferences
- Donate school supplies
- Help coordinate the Picture Lab program

Nominator Gina Yonts said: “Their willingness to take on the lion share of the Picture Lab project for Green Park has been a blessing. I am constantly amazed at the positivity with which the Gomsrud team shows up, ready to roll, with welcoming and friendly smiles and art supplies in tow.

Donna Chapin – Berney Elementary (six years)
Nominators: Tammy Baker, Annette Matlock, and Danielle Van Dyke
- Donna supports small group math instruction
- She helps coordinate the miles club program
- Donna attends field trips to provide required supervision support

Nominator Annette Matlock said: “Donna has been the most amazing classroom volunteer. Her consistent volunteer time in classrooms over the years has been an enormous blessing to teachers. Whether helping with classroom celebrations, leading small groups, attending field trips or just taking care of busy work, Donna can always be counted on.

Jean Gibbs – Sharpstein Elementary
Nominators: Matt Bona, Danae Darby, Terri Gilbert and Terry Morgan
- Jean coordinates a volunteer group of about 20 volunteers from Pioneer United Methodist Church of Walla Walla to help in classrooms at Sharpstein
- She works closely with the teachers and volunteers to ensure a special match
- She also volunteers to monitor crosswalks and bus drop-off areas on a daily basis

Nominator Terry Morgan said: “Jean is our welcome committee in the morning, along with her husband Ben. Jean’s warm smile and friendly personality invite children to respond. She is kind, caring and special to our staff and students.”

Linda Arms – Blue Ridge Head Start/ECEAP Program (2014-2015 school year)
Nominators: Cresencia Gutierrez-Duran and Denise Fraire
- Linda volunteers in the areas of Education, Parent Involvement, Health and Family Services
- She grew up with 9 to 10 ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and has overcome many barriers
- She assists with making copies, cutting, laminating and gluing projects for different classrooms

Nominators Denise Fraire said: Knowing a person like Linda makes you see life from a different perspective as she has proven you can overcome and conquer what you set out to do. She brings a smile to our faces and we enjoy our small talks as we come in contact with her at school. She sets goals for her child, for herself and strives to reach them.”

Linda Clark – Prospect Point Elementary (10 to 12 years)
Nominators: Susan Prudente, Kara Shulke, Chris Gardea, Amy Nielson and Melissa Gardner
- Linda chairs the school’s Accelerated Reader program through the PTA
- She leads literature circles, assists in the classroom and prepares materials for teachers
- Linda helps with Miles Club, Picture Lab presentations, Hearing and Vision Screenings and the bike rodeo
- She also donates school supplies and coats each fall so students have what they need to be successful

Nominator Amy Nielson said: “Linda is my favorite type of volunteer. She donates countless hours of her time, energy and talent to our local schools, to youth sports programs and to other areas within our community and yet she does so quietly and without much fanfare. She is a humble volunteer, whose desire is only to be of help and enrich the community around her, not to gain the applause of others.”