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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 04/08/2008 10:45 PM Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 04/09/2008 08:35 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
:

We Are So Fortunate to Have Such Wonderful Caring Adult Leaders in Calaveras County...Parent Leadership Awards Presented This Morning By Tammy Beilstein with Full Video~By John Hamilton

San Andreas, CA...Across the country, February was designated as National Parent Leadership Month. The Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council took that opportunity to honor community members who have improved the lives of children and families in Calaveras County. National Parent Leadership Month was created for two reasons......

Click on Photo for Full Slide Show and Read More for Video Coverage


*Educate the public about the strength and importance of family and community

*Encourage professionals, policymakers and other community members to partner with parents to address issues that affect children and families.

Arleen Garland, longtime member of the Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council said, “The Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council in partnership with the Board of Supervisors has been honoring parent leaders for the past 3 years. We are so fortunate to have such caring adults in our county that are wonderful role models for our children. It is the favorite activity of the Council and is a true inspiration to all of us.”

This year’s honorees were presented awards at this mornings Board of Supervisors Meeting by Tammy Beilstein. The list of wonderful community members are: Brandon Stonecypher, Joe and Anna Gates, Sisene Strehl, Ann Wathen, Denise Mote, Dave and Jean Hector, Kaaren Maines, Kathryn Eustis, Amy Roehl, Dan and Maureen Seider, Gail Bunge, Gene DeHerrera, Hal and Janice Dillashaw, Mary Leers, LaDonna Kuderer, Elizabeth Byrns, Samatha Hamilton, Esperanza “Espi” Jiminez, Carman Olavarrieta, Michael and Joanne Schwinghammer.

Here is a little history on each Parent Leader that was nominated:

2008 Parent Leadership Awards

DISTRICT 1: BILL CLAUDINO

BRANDON STONECYPHER: A full-time student working toward his teaching credentials, a 4-H leader, Camp counselor and cabin leader for Marin Co. Outdoor School, counselor and group leader for science camp/outdoor education for several different schools in Calaveras County, a Mentor to 2 children with the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, and working in the After-School Program with the Calaveras Co. School District. Brandon is making an amazing difference in the lives of many children.

JOE AND ANNA GATES: Joe and Anna are good role models in raising 4 very active children. They have a calm demeanor and lovingly train and direct their children with a good balance of love and appropriate discipline. They view parenting as a TEAM effort, giving each other the time he/she needs to be alone. In addition to this, Joe and Anna routinely use all the community resources available to them in Calaveras County and are quick to encourage others to make use of the services they need. They are great examples of what it means to be a Parent Leader.

SISENE STREHL: A mother of SIX. Her children are gracious, responsible, intelligent, self-motivated, all of which is the end result of a special mother’s love and dedication. Sisene’s children are extremely proud of her, indicating that she is a strong woman of integrity. We can think of no greater endorsement for our Parent Leadership Award than that of a mother’s own children.

ANN WATHEN: Ann is a Juvenile Probation Officer with the Calaveras Co. Probation Dept. Ann is known to be professional in her work yet warm and caring toward the children. The woman who nominated Ann said, “ My grandson feels safe with his Probation Officer – which is unusual because he does not like many females. He actually keeps her card out and calls her when he gets into trouble or has made a mistake. He knows Ann will not accept any excuses and she is always truthful with him.”

DISTRICT 2: STEVE WILENSKY

DENISE MOTE: Denise has 3 grown sons yet she continues to volunteer with children. She teaches pre-school Sunday School, is a group leader at Church, she coaches 5th and 6th grade boys basketball, she is a high school camp counselor in the summer and she is always willing to be a chaperone, cook, and do whatever is needed to help the children in her area.

DAVE AND JEAN HECTOR: Dave and Jean are not only excellent parents to their 3 biological sons, but they have adopted a sibling group of 6 who were abused in every form. Dave and Jean have tirelessly worked to reverse the harmful effects of that abuse. They have taken 6 children out of the world of maltreatment and given them a chance at a safe and healthy life.

KAAREN MAINES: Kaaren is a 30 year resident of West Point where she raised her children, grandchildren, and a huge group of extended children who live in her community. Kaaren is a long-time volunteer for the Blue Mountain Coalition of Youth and Families, where she donates food and drinks, participates in the various art projects, and unassumingly models good parenting to the teens as well as to their families. Kaaren is invaluable, and an inspiration to many in the West Point community.

DISTRICT 3: MERITA CALLAWAY

KATHRYN EUSTIS: Kathryn is the woman who birthed the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program. This program has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many families. In addition to her passion for families and children, Kathryn is a fantastic mother raising her son and daughter to be active and responsible citizens as well as supporting their many projects.

AMY ROEHL: Amy is the school director at Mountain Playschool. She guides and teaches the preschoolers there as well as the adults. Amy’s friend said, “Amy stepped in to teach the CCOE Adult Ed. Class when the former teacher had to leave. She has been a phenomenal role model for the parents and an amazing guide for entire families!” Amy is a strong, well respected, parenting resource for the Ebbets Pass community and an essential part of the school community.

DAN AND MAUREEN SEIDER: Dan and Maureen have raised 4 outstanding young people. Their neighbors said, “Living next to them was always lively but they were wonderful neighbors, ready to lend support in many ways. Their children are people of good character and great manners, delightful and energetic kids. It takes more than luck to raise such children; it takes the depth of character and a commitment that Dan and Maureen exhibit so well”. Dan and Maureen have done it all with wisdom, humor, patience and a lot of love.

GAIL BUNGE: Gail and her husband have raised 2 bright, engaging children – one is in college and one is a senior at Bret Harte High School. Gail is a very involved woman and can be seen at all Ebbets Pass area events. Gail’s friend said, “Gail has introduced me to the challenges of children with physical disabilities, and to the services that are – and are NOT available.” Gail has moved her passion for children’s issues into the political arena and is now on the Bret Harte High School Board. It is an honor to have her talent and involvement in our community.

DISTRICT 4: TOM TRYON

GENE DEHERRERA: Gene is a Calaveras County Probation Officer who has developed or participated in a variety of programs designed to help kids. In the past 6 months alone, Gene contributed to many of our High School and Middle School drug awareness programs, and he produced and directed a play for the Avery Middle School students. Gene is the driving force behind many of our county’s Red Ribbon Week activities. This is a large and stressful undertaking, but Gene does it because he cares that much for the children and families in our community. Gene DeHerrera is a wonderful man who deserve to be honored for the contribution he makes each and every day.

HAL AND JANICE DILLASHAW: Hal and Janice have donated countless hours to the Bret Harte Wrestling Program. They coach, organize fundraisers, organize wrestling tournaments, create gifts for the wrestlers, cooked dinners, cheer loudly and stay positive for the wrestlers. It is not uncommon to see Hal arrive at the gym after an athletic event to set up for the next day – or to see Janice selling items to raise money for the wrestling program. They consistently give without asking for anything in return, and have done so for years.

MARY LEERS: Mary is a great mom and grandmother. She does not judge, she gives with a kind heart, and she has faith in others even when they do not have faith in themselves. The woman who nominated Mary said, “ Through my active addiction to drugs, Mary cared for me and my kids when I could not. I have been in NA for 7 months and she has been supportive and a positive influence in my recovery. She is a blessing to have in one’s life and I cannot imagine my life or my children’s lives without her”.

DISTRICT 5: RUSS THOMAS

LADONNA KUDERER: Ladonna and her husband Dave have touched the lives of numerous children in Calaveras County through their passion, “Top Hat Studio”. Never missing an opportunity for children to shine, they showcase the talents of the children with numerous dance competitions and holiday shows – providing the students with love, discipline, family bonding, leadership and responsibility for ones own actions. Ladonna and Dave, in the company of children, are the true “nuggets” of treasure here in the foothills of Calaveras County.

ELIZABETH BYRNS: Elizabeth has been a 4-H leader in Calaveras County for seven years and co-leader of one of the largest clubs in our county, the Jenny Lind 4-H Club. Elizabeth has served as treasurer and vice-president of the Calaveras 4-H Council. She has served on several committees including 4-H Council audit, 4-H Records Book Advisory Committee, 4-H Records Book Judging Team, 4-H Scholarship Selection Committee, she is the past 4-H All Star Advisor and has helped judge numerous times at 4-H events. Her commitment to volunteerism, our community, and children is inspiring to all.

SAMANTHA HAMILTON: Sam began her relationship with Mountain Oaks School 12 years ago when she enrolled her Kindergartener into the Homeschooling Program. Within a few years she applied for the receptionist position and is now the hub, heartbeat and main go-to person for all operations at Mountain Ranch She organizes, coaches and volunteers for countless committees, sports, activities. Sam has provided an essential link between the adult and teen world in this school’s community and has made an outstanding contribution in the lives of all the children she has touched.

ESPERANZA “ESPI” JIMINEZ: Through Esperanza’s efforts and dedication as a foster parent, there are over 30 young people back in the ‘real world” who have the opportunity to become productive and leading members in society. Esperanza lives her life on standby waiting to protect, nurture, heal and protect when situations get rough. It is her care, support, and, above all, her love for these children that signify her extraordinary leadership skills.

CARMEN OLAVARRIETA: Carmen works in the Valley Springs area for the Calaveras Co. School District. She is a huge help to the Spanish community connecting Latino families to the resources they require and always going above and beyond to make sure they have the help they need. Carmen’s friend, said, “Just 5 years ago Carmen’s Spanish was “so-so”, but now her Spanish has improved so much and everyone knows that Carmen will go that extra mile to help Latino families no matter what”.

MICHAEL AND JOANNE SCHWINGHAMMER: Mike and Joanne both serve on the Valley Springs Youth Board of Directors. They work to provide a safe and nurturing alternative during the after school hours, giving the kids a place where they can be heard, valued and validated. Mike and Joann also do volunteer work for the Calaveras High School Boosters, the 4-H program, and the San Andreas Teen Center. They are tireless cheerleaders and mentors for our youth always encouraging others to strive for their best.

Parent Leadership happens when people gain the knowledge and skills to accept leadership roles and represent a “parent voice” to help shape the lives of families. Parents, grandparents, care providers, foster parents and anyone in a parenting role has the potential to be a Parent Leader.

The Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council is happy to join with Parents Anonymous Inc., the nation’s oldest family strengthening and child abuse prevention organization, to honor this year’s Parent Leaders of Calaveras County.

For more information about the Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council, please visit the Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras Council web site at pcacalaveras.org or call Tammy at (209) 754-6110.



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