Inyo County School Board honor Stars

The Inyo County Board of Education presented their Community Star Awards Tuesday at the Bishop Campus of Cerro Coso Community College.  The College a fitting setting to honor the individuals and organizations who contribute time and energy to local youth.  Each award winner will have a scholarship giving in their name to a student at Cerro Coso College.

The Community Star awards ceremony opened with Inyo County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Terry McAteer introducing Deanna Campbell, director of the Eastern Sierra College Center.  Campbell praised the county board of education and Superintendent McAteer for their efforts to increase educational opportunities for Inyo County students noting the success of the Inyo Promise program.   The program offering students an affordable option to attend the University of Nevada, Reno.

Board members Alden Nash, David Hefner, LeeAnn Rasmuson, Mary Kemp and Chris Langely introduced presenters from their respective districts.  A total of 10 awards were presented.

1. The Alice Piper Memorial Team.  Sage and Shannon Romero, Alicia Peterson, and Pamela Jones were recognized for their efforts to tell the story of Alice Piper.   Their efforts included raising funds for the purchase of a life size statue of Piper.  The statue is placed in front of the Big Pine High School telling the story of Piper and her fight for equal education.

2. Sharron and Larry Clark were honored by Owens Valley Unified School district Superintendent Dan Moore and Rose Todd for their years of volunteer work, specifically for their efforts with music and theater.

3. Home Street Middle School Principal Patrick Twomey presented a Star Award to the Bishop Paiute Tribe.  Merv Hess represented the Tribe in accepting the award.  Twomey thanked the Tribe for their contributions to local education.

4. Betsy McDonald of Palisade Glacier high school recognized the efforts of volunteer David French.  McDonald praised French for his efforts in helping students at Palisade pass the math portion of the California High School Exit Examination, know as the CAHSEE.  (French was unable to attend)

5. Round Valley Joint Elementary School superintendent Karen Marshall presented a Star award to Alisa Ellsworth.  Marshall thanked Ellsworth for her efforts with the Round Valley PTO.

6. Bishop Union high school principal Randy Cook recognized the volunteer efforts of Dan Totheroh.  Cook noted that Totheroh has logged over 10,000 volunteer hours improving the sound and lighting at Bishop Union High Schools auditorium. (Totheroh was unable to attend)

7. Inyo County School Board President Chris Langley was surprised by Lo-Inyo School Principal Heidi Torix with a Star Award.  Torix spoke of Langley and his late wife Sandy’s commitment to students at Lo-Inyo School, specifically the library.

8. Illissa Twomey presented a Star award to Ted Pederson of the Friends of the Mt. Whitey Fish hatchery.  The friends group has been instrumental in the success of the Trout in the classroom program.  The educational program places trout in 23 classrooms throughout Inyo County.

9 and 10.  Board President Chris Langley presented the final two Star awards to the Rotary Clubs of Bishop.  The Sunrise Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Bishop where honored for their generous and long time commitment to enhancing education.

The awards event Tuesday concluded with a surprise presentation to County Superintendent Dr. Terry McAteer and his wife Liz.  Chris Langley and Kim Cash-Miller (assistant to the superintendent) presented plaques to the McAteers thanking them for “raising the bar” for Inyo County students.

The Inyo County Board of Education will next meet on June 16th, 1pm in the Inyo County Superintendent of Schools office Independence.  The regular meeting will include the expected passage of the annual budget.

inyo county board of education, dr terry mcateer, chris langley, inyo county news