001I got a secret love. Do you want to call him baby? I got a secret love. Do you want to make it? No. I think I did. Is it worth it? Like a love affair. The secret love. Test test, 1 2 3, 1 2 3. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Thank you very, very much. Everybody, can we give the Long Beach Blues Society a big, big round of applause and show them some love? Shake, rattle, and roll. Thank you so much. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the second annual Bellflower Unified Star Awards. My name is Ryan Smith, and I'm the proud deputy superintendent of the Bellflower Unified School District and it is truly an honor to be with you tonight. Tonight is about one thing and one thing only, celebrating our people. The individuals we're
002recognizing represent the very best of Bellflower Unified School District. They show up each and every day for our students, for our families, and for one another. And they make a difference in what in ways that truly matter. This evening is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the impact that each of you has on our students, our schools, our district, and our community. And tonight we celebrate what STAR truly stands for, spectacular, terrific, amazing, and remarkable. Thank you. At this time, it is my pleasure to introduce a group that represents the talent and joy represented in each and every one of our schools. Please welcome to the stage the Bellflower Elementary Singers led by Ron Williams. And we are the Bellflower Elementary Singers. We are proudly directed by Ron Williams alongside Stephanie Marker. Our choreography
003is created by Ron Williams alongside our lead dancer Grace Lassiter Williams. We'll begin this performance with the jazz standard "Tell Me What You Do". We're truly grateful to be here and we hope you enjoy the show. Tell me what you do. Tell me what you say. Tell me what you dream. Don't you know it's just the way. Tell me what you do. Tell me what you say. Tell me what you dream. Don't make me tell you again. That's all we do. Don't be naive. Make me believe. Tell me what you say. Say Tell me what you do. Tell me what you say. Tell me what you dream. It's all we do. This This music score from the hit movie La La Land won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Get ready
004for some highlights as we perform this vocal infused medley. La La Land La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La Say that again. You said you'd see probably sweet in your voice true till I knew what I'm supposed to do. So I just knew. Without you I don't know what to do. If I can with you with me play by just to say what to see. Sweet pea and I see you down at Sip of Sunshine. I'm glad to see my face and think about being there. Sunshine to see my face to do do I knew what to do. Sunshine to do do I knew what to do. Sunshine to do to see my face and think about It's all we do. Here's to the ones
005who dream foolish as they may seem. Here's to the hearts that soon will be a mess. Give me a she said A little madness is key. To give us a reason to sing. She said So you say Here's to the hearts that soon will be a mess. Here's to the fools who dream crazy as they seem. Seem Here's to the lovers that soon will be a mess. You got the invitation. You got the real address. You need some medication. The answer's always yes. A little dancing to be the one you waited for. Someone waiting to be the one you need to know. Want to find you to take you where you want to go. Someone waiting to take you where you want to go. Someone waiting to be found. Someone waiting to be found. I
006think I'll stay behind. You got to >> Wow, can we give it up again for the Bellflower Elementary Singers and Mr. Ron Williams? Congratulations. I can't think of a better way to start this evening's festivities. Before we begin recognizing each of our honorees, we do have a number of people who I would like to introduce. Starting with our Board of Education. Thank you to our board for its leadership and its commitment to our students and community. Here with us tonight is Board President Myra Garza. Vice President Brad Critchfield. Board Clerk Marina Sentra. Board Member Renita Armstrong. And Board Member Amy Stewart was not able to be with us this evening. Let's please give our Board of Education a big round of applause. I'd also like to recognize our incredible executive cabinet. This team works each
007and every day to support our schools and move our district forward. Starting with Superintendent Dr. Erin Simon. Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Bonnie Carter. Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services, the now Dr. Alma Ulloa. Our Chief Business Officer Renee Arcas. Thank you again to our incredible executive cabinet team. We'd also like to recognize our personnel commissioners who play a critical role in supporting our classified employees in the integrity of our merit system. Please stand as I call your name. Chairperson Sue Berhow. Vice Chairperson Marissa Perez. And Commissioner Jason Willy. Thank you all for your service and thank you for all that you do to support our district. I'd also like to recognize a very incredible group of leaders who are essential to the success of each and every one of our schools. Our principals, assistant
008principals, and district leaders, will you please stand and be recognized for all that you do for our students? We have an incredible team. These are the individuals who lead our school day in and day out, support our staff, and ensure that our students have the opportunities that they deserve. Thank you again, district and school site leaders. We're also blessed to have some amazing partnerships with our labor partners. I'd like to recognize both BTA President John Young and CSEA President Michelle Cuellar. Can you both please stand? And also, if there's any members of your executive boards, can members of your executive boards also stand and be recognized, please? I see Joanne over there. I know we have some other e-board members in here. Don't be shy. Yes, thank you, Deborah. I'd also like to recognize our
009outstanding partnership with our PTA. PTA Council President Alex Cortez, along with our district and site PTA leader leaders, can you all please stand and be recognized? I'd now like to welcome Board President Myra Garza to the stage to share a few words. Good evening, everyone. Each of you being recognized this evening represents the very best of what it means to serve in education. You go above and beyond, not for recognition, but because you believe in our students, in their potential, and in the power of education to change lives, whether you are in the classroom, supporting behind the scenes, or ensuring our schools run smoothly each day. Your impact is felt in every corner of our district. To our teachers, thank you for inspiring curiosity, building confidence, and nurturing a love of learning that will last
010a lifetime. And to our classified staff, thank you for the countless ways you support our students and schools, often quietly, but always meaningfully. Together, you create the environment where students feel safe, valued, and ready to succeed. Have a nice evening and congratulations to everyone in advance. Thank you very much, President Garza. It is now my privilege to introduce our Superintendent, Dr. Erin Simon. Good evening, everyone. I'll say it one more time. It's Monday. I know it's 6:30, but good evening, everyone. All right. Thank you for giving me a moment to get my eyes, my glasses, so I could present properly to you all. Um but good evening to you all. Um I know our board members are here. Uh thank you to our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Ryan Smith. Again, our executive cabinet, our personnel commissioners,
011our honored guests, our families, and most importantly, our extraordinary STAR Awards honorees. It is a joy and a privilege to stand before you tonight at Bellflower Unified's second annual STAR Award program. This evening is about excellence. It's about service. It's about the heart. And above all, it's about people. Tonight we gather as one Bellflower Unified family to celebrate those who make our district stronger, kinder, smarter, and more hopeful every single day. We are here to honor the professionals who often work before the spotlight arrives and long after it fades. The people who show up with consistency, compassion, towering belief in our amazing scholars. Our theme this evening is is is especially meaningful. BUSD Together, Unified in Purpose. That is more than a phase, or phrase, excuse me. It is who we are. It is a
012belief that in Bellflower Unified, we rise by working together. We succeed by supporting one another, and we move forward when we remain anchored anchored in our shared commitments to our scholars. At the heart of that commitment is a promise we continue to make as a district. Every student known, every voice valued, and every school ready. That promise does not live on banners or in presentations alone. No, it comes to life through people like you. It comes to life in the classroom in the teacher who sees potential in a child before that child sees it in themselves. It comes to life in the instructional assistant who offers patience, encouragement day after day. It [snorts] comes to life in the secretary who greets families with warmth and dignity. It comes to life in the custodian who creates
013a safe and welcoming environment. It comes to life in the behavior assistant, the community services worker, the bilingual staff member, the support professional, our PTA, and every individual who works and helps a student feel seen, supported, and capable of success. Tonight's honorees represent school sites and departments across our district. You each serve in different roles, but you are united by something powerful. Your impact. You did not simply complete tasks, you shape culture. You did not simply fill positions, you build possibilities. You did not simply work in the Bellflower Unified School District, you helped define what we stand for. And as your superintendent, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the strength of our district. I have seen the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students, and the deep care that exists across this
014community. I have also seen that our greatest resource is not a a program, a plan, or a building. Our greatest resource is our people. Our greatest resource is you. And that's why tonight matters. Recognition matters. Gratitude matters. Taking time to pause and say, "We see you. We appreciate you. Your work matters here." Because excellence deserves to be named. Service, yes, deserves to be honored. And the people who help children, who help scholars flourish, deserve to be celebrated. To our teachers of the year, thank you for creating classrooms where rigor and relationships go hand in hand. Thank you for inspiring curiosity, building the confidence of our scholars, and helping them believe in their own brilliance. To our classified employees of the year, thank you for the countless ways you hold this district together. Your care, your
015professionalism, and your dedication are essential to the success of our schools and the well-being of our scholars. All of tonight's honorees, Thank you for representing the very best of this amazing district. You remind us that greatness in education is not built in one moment. It is built through steady acts of excellence, compassion, and again commitment over time. I also want to thank the families, colleagues, and school communities who supports tonight's honorees. No one leads or serves alone. Behind every extraordinary educator and staff member is a circle of encouragement, sacrifice, and belief. >> [gasps] >> We honor that support tonight as well. And so, congratulations to each of you. And enjoy this well-served celebration. Congratulations to you all. Thank you very much, Dr. Simon. At this time, I'd like to ask our Board of Education, our
016Executive Cabinet, our Personnel Commissioners to please come join me on stage for the next part of our program as we begin to recognize our honorees. And now, we move to the heart of this evening, recognizing our outstanding employees. These individuals all represent excellence across every school and department in Bellflower Unified School District. At this time, I'd like to invite Dr. Frank Olmos, our Executive Director of Classified Personnel, to the stage. Dr. Olmos will recognize each of our site and department classified employees of the year. Please welcome Dr. Olmos. Thank you, Dr. Smith. What a great turnout. This is really cool. All right. Um Our classified employees are the backbone of our district. They are the first faces family see when they walk through the door. They're the ones keeping our campuses clean, our students safe,
017our technology running, and yes, making sure everyone gets paid on time. Yes. Round of applause on that one. Tonight, we recognize the best of the best from every site across our school district. So, woo woo, we let us begin. As I call your name, please come forward. Okay. And when you come forward, please come to my right, which is this side. Yes. All right. First honoree. Kay Pettit processes payroll for over 550 employees every single month. She treats every check as if it was her own. She is a Bellflower grad, a product of this community, someone who shows up every day to make sure the people who serve our students are taken care of. A mom at home, a mom at work, 500 employees I I I heard I count on her every month and
018never to worry. From our district district office, please welcome Kay Pettit. Picture time, right? And Kay, we want a picture. There we go. Let's all right in. >> [clears throat] >> Whether it is a computer problem, a payroll question, or just figuring things out, or somehow she makes it work. Maisie Toruno is the person everyone at AT C and Bay turns to first. She is efficient, responsible, and caring. Her warm personality makes the entire office run smoother. The person everybody turns to first, efficient, caring, and always ready to help. From ATC Bay, please welcome Maisie Toruno. >> [snorts] >> Make room. >> Nora Ponce brings dedication and heart to everything she does at Albert Baxter Elementary. She supports students every day with patience and purpose, and her commitment to Baxter community has not gone unnoticed.
019Dedicated to her students, committed to her community, a quiet force at Baxter from Albert Baxter Elementary, please welcome Nora Ponce. Daisy Cortez is the calm in the storm at Bellflower Middle High School. She manages documentation, timelines, and compliance for special education with accuracy and care. She does it all while making every student and family feel welcome. Her nominator said it best, Daisy exemplifies everything that makes our school a caring, student-centered community. The calm in the storm, she makes every student and family feel welcome. From Bellflower Middle High School, please welcome Daisy Cortez. Ernie Miranda takes great pride in keeping Craig Williams Elementary looking its best from every single day. He rarely misses a day of work. He is loved by students and staff, and he always goes the extra mile without ever seeking credit. As
020the slide says, he never misses a day, he never asks for credit, he just makes Craig Williams shine. From Craig Williams Elementary, please welcome Ernie Miranda. Maria De La Torre is a dedicated to the achievement of every student she works with. She works tirelessly in the intervention room and pushes into classrooms to provide support wherever it is needed. Her principal said it simply, she is well admired, respected, and loved by all. She goes wherever students need her. From Ernie Pyle Elementary, please welcome Maria De La Torre. Sorry. Sorry. Oh, okay. Hey. For nearly 20 years, Terri Erickson has been the heart of Steven Foster Elementary. Her principal call her dependable, consistent, and the person who sets the tone for how families are greeted and served every day. She knows every system, every process, every person
021who walks through that office, and she even inspired her daughter to follow her into public education. Two decades of dedication, ask anyone at Foster and they will tell you Terri is the one who keeps it all together. From Steven Foster Elementary, please welcome Terri Erickson. Lisa Northern has been described as truly dedicated and phenomenal educator who goes above and beyond every single day. Whether she is teaching summer school, working at the front gate, or supporting students through intervention, Lisa makes every child seen, feel seen, valued, and capable. Her principal said she exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, professionalism, and excellence. She makes every child feel seen, valued, and capable every single day. From Frankie Woodruff Elementary, please welcome Lisa Northern. Ramon Quintana is always willing and ready to help, no matter what is
022asked of him. He is pleasant, reliable, and his positive attitude lifts up everyone around him. His colleagues say he is simply a pleasure to work with. Always willing, always positive, a pleasure to work with. From Intensive Learning Center, please welcome Ramon Quintana. Shawna Douglas has been called the heart of Las Flores. Although her title is instructional aide, she approaches her work with the heart, skill, and dedication of a teacher. She builds respectful relationships, models kindness, and keeps students meaningful meaningfully engaged every day. The heart of Las Flores, she shows up every day with dedication, kindness, and purpose. From Las Flores Education Center, please welcome Shawna Douglas. Esteban Rodriguez started his journey in special education, where he showed incredible patience and talent for making kids feel successful. For the past 9 years, he has been a
023superstar in physical education, encouraging teamwork, teaching good sportsmanship, and bringing energy to every class. From special education to PE superstar, 9 years of energy, patience, and teamwork. From Esther Lindstrom Elementary, please welcome Esteban Rodriguez. >> [laughter] >> I love it. Many people at Mayfair call her call Jen Vermeer the staff mom. On any given morning, she is hustling to help teachers, greeting substitutes, and making sure the day starts right. She is a multitasker and an extremely hard worker, and she adds a lot of heart to the entire campus. On a staff of about 250, Jen is a standout. The staff mom, first one hustling every morning, a standout and heart of the front office. From Mayfair Middle High School, please welcome Jen Vermeer. Anytime you need Jasmine Gomez, she is there with no hesitation. She
024has a calm, charming way with students and knows how to communicate with every single one of them. Her colleagues call her the star of Ramona, and anyone who has seen her in action would agree. Calm, charming, and always there. The star of Ramona, from Ramona Elementary, please welcome Jasmine Gomez. Stephanie Galati wears many hats at Somerset, serving as both administrative secretary and ASB accountant. Her principal said, "What What she accomplishes each day is nothing short of amazing. She knows the answer to every question. She anticipates needs before they become issues, and she brings a calm, nurturing presence to everything she does. Her school is stronger because of her. What she accomplishes each day is nothing short of amazing. Somerset is stronger because of her." From Somerset High School, please welcome Stephanie Galati. Congratulations, Stephanie. Hey,
025back up. Ines Mariscal is the point person for all things as at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. She consistently goes above and beyond to make sure students, staff, and families are supported and cared for. Her principal said she ensures that daily operations run smoothly and effectively, and that no one leaves her office without the help they need. The point person for all things Jefferson, no one leaves without the help they need. From Thomas Thomas Jefferson Elementary, please welcome Ines Mariscal. Unfortunately, Ines is not able to make it today, but we will I will accept her award on her behalf. Okay. But, give her a round of applause. Leticia Areola is consistently puts others before herself. She supports students, staff, parents, and the broader community with kindness and genuine care. She leads with compassion and is warm and
026approachable with everyone she meets. Her nom Her nominator called her truly a role model for others to follow. She puts others first, a role model for all of us. From Washington Elementary, please welcome Leticia Areola. Okay, so this concludes the classified segment. Let's give all of our honorees a round of applause. Now, I will turn it over to Dr. Smith. Thank you very much, Dr. Olson, and congratulations, everyone. Next, we will be introducing each of our teachers of the year. Can you please stage our executive director of certificated human resources, Dr. Shante Knox. All right, good evening, everyone. Here we go. Our first teacher of the year is Nico Turian. Nico sets the tone for our entire campus. He creates a space where students feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves. And the trust
027they placed in him speaks volumes. His relationships with students and staff are strong, genuine, and lasting. With deep knowledge of the base center's history and purpose, Nico connects with our community to something bigger. He goes beyond his role through the school site council, supporting PE, collaborating with ATC, and stepping in when needed. Nico leads with heart, builds with purpose, and makes our campus better every single day. Give him a hand. >> [laughter] >> Next, we have Nancy Wah. Mrs. Wah exemplifies the very best of the teaching profession. She delivers engaging, well-structured instruction while nurturing the social emotional growth of every student in her class. Her classroom is a place where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Highly organized and deeply compassionate, Ms. Wah goes above and beyond for students and colleagues alike. She
028leads with kindness, professionalism, and integrity, making Baxter stronger every day. An outstanding educator, a trusted colleague, a true difference maker. All right, next we have Jamie Satri from Bellflower Middle High School. She's a dedicated dedicated educator whose impact spans every corner of Bellflower Middle High School. She goes above and beyond for students and staff. Service serving middle school ASB advisor, math department chair, honors IM2 instructor, link crew coordinator. Ooh, that's a lot. Theater supporter, and air committee member. Always stepping in with grace, heart, and determination. She is an exceptional teacher and a trusted leader. Give her a hand. From Craig Williams, we have Laura Meckler. For over 30 years, Laura has been a fierce advocate for her students, always putting their needs first. She goes far beyond the classroom, supporting families at home, mentoring colleagues,
029and leading with heart. She [snorts] arrives early, stays late, and cares for her little wildcats academically and emotionally 24/7. A foundation builder, a problem-solver, a steady leader of TK, and the heart of our social committee. Laura doesn't just teach, she uplifts families, she strengthens staff, she shapes futures. From Ernie Pyle, we have Shandrala Hill. Mrs. Hill? Oh. Oh, you're right. Just Click it. Oh. All right, thank you guys. I was just testing you. >> [laughter] >> Shandrala Hill. Mrs. Hill is an exceptional educator whose classroom management skill creates a structured, engaging, and empowering environment. She inspires students to reach their full potential. While setting high expectations that challenge all scholars to excel on campus. Widely respected by her peers, Mrs. Hill leads by example, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and genuine genuine commitment to student success. A
030skilled educator and a true inspiration. From Stephen Foster, we have Jennifer Blackman. Mrs. Blackman is an exceptional teacher whose dedication shines in every interaction. With calm, caring professionalism, she plans lessons that honor her students' abilities while maintaining high expectations, helping each learner achieve success. Thoughtful educator and respected colleague. From Frank E. Woodruff, Andrea May. Miss May led all sixth grade colleagues with the highest math growth on the winter 2025 NWEA, a testament to her powerful instruction and student impact. She makes complex concepts accessible, builds confidence in every learner, and creates a classroom where students feel safe to take risks and grow. [snorts] Beyond her classroom, she serves on Woodruff's ILT and PBIS team, and volunteers on the district math adoption committee. Influence influencing excellence school-wide and district-wide. An exceptional teacher, a respected leader, a true
031difference-maker. From Intensive Learning Center, Nancy Alcazar. Mrs. Alcazar exemplifies excellence in special education. She implements effective research-based strategies and thoughtfully differentiates instruction to meet the diverse the diversity needs of every learner. Her classroom management is grounded in respect, strong relationships, and high expectations. A collaborative colleague and a truly benevolent educator, Mrs. Alcazar creates a learning environment where all students can succeed and thrive. Araceli Roldan. From Los Flores Independent Study Academy, Araceli has faithfully served the Bellflower community as an early elementary teacher, building strong reading foundations for every child. As an early reading and ELD TOSA, she has supported district-wide efforts to ensure students read at or above grade level. At Los Flores, she goes above and beyond, bringing deep literacy expertise, strengthening math instruction, serving as SST chair, and collaborating to support every learner. Hardworking
032and generous with her time, Araceli pours her heart into her students and her colleagues. A literacy leader, a dedicated advocate, an invaluable asset to the BUSD community. Valerie Navarro from Esther Lindstrom Elementary. Mrs. Navarro exemplifies dedication, professionalism, and a true passion for teaching. She She creates an engaging, supportive, and inclusive classroom where every student feels valued and capable. Through innovative instruction, patience, and encouragement, she inspires students to reach their full potential academically and personally. Mrs. Navarro doesn't just teach, she motivates, she empowers, she makes a lasting difference. From Mayfair Middle High School, Mimi Canizarro. Mimi is an exceptional special education teacher who inspires all students to reach their full potential. She elevates learning for every student, including her mod severe math students, combining high expectations with care, encouragement, and expertise. A skilled educator, a student
033advocate, a true difference-maker. From Ramona Elementary, Tina Dang. Tina Dang pours her heart into everything she does. She creates a positive, nurturing classroom where students feel supported, valued, and capable of success, and her student data consistently shows growth in all areas. A collaborative and inspiring colleague, Tina leads with dedication, kindness, and passion. Her commitment to her students and the Ramona community make her truly deserving of this honor. Yeah, good catch. All right. Our next candidate couldn't be with us this evening, but we still want to give her a hand, and I'll still read her bio, or an overview about her. Maria Vitali is an exceptional educator whose dedication, compassion, and expertise leave a lasting impact on Somerset High School. She builds genuine, trusting relationships with students, especially English learners, creating a safe, supportive environment where
034they feel confident to take risks and succeed. Her patience, encouragement, and belief in students inspires them to grow academically and personally. A trusted teacher, a compassionate mentor, a true cornerstone of Somerset High School. Let's give her a hand. Deborah Laura Deborah is an exceptional special education teacher whose expertise, advocacy, and dedication transforms lives. She goes above and beyond to ensure every student receives the instruction, support, and care they need to thrive, earning the deep trust of families and colleagues alike. Thoughtful and intentional in her practice, she continually reflects, refines, and strengthens her craft to advance student learning. Beyond her classroom, Deborah is a selfless leader, mentoring colleagues, serving on the BTA executive board and bargaining team, and leading with heart on the social committee. A passionate advocate, a collaborative leader, and exemplary educator. >> [laughter]
035>> And finally, from Washington Elementary, Paulina Aceves. Mrs. Aceves consistently goes above and beyond for her students, colleagues, and the entire Washington community. She brings energy, creativity, and student-centered mind and a student-centered mindset to everything she does, always stepping in where support is needed. Beyond the school day, she provides strong leadership in the Think Together after-school program, ensuring students feel safe, supported, and motivated. Mrs. Aceves embodies the core values of Washington and makes a lasting impact far beyond academics. An exceptional educator, a dedicated leader, a true champion for students. Thank you very much, Dr. Knox. We now have two awards left. We will be announcing our district classified employee of the year as well as our district teacher of the year. But before we announce our district classified employee of the year, I would like
036to recognize the selection committee. This group volunteered their time for this incredibly difficult task of selecting from so many outstanding individuals. Can we show some love for the members of our committee, including Dr. Alma Ulloa, Dr. Geary Torres, John Young, Arlene Whitney, Cathy Fong, Sam Plattis, and Patricia Diaz Arroyo. Thank you for serving. And now, Dr. Olmos, can you please bring the envelope This has been top secret. And I do want to share that our Somerset students made the envelope and what's inside, the announcement. Thank you, Teresa. We've had this under lock and key for quite some time. So, without further ado, let's find out who our district classified employee of the year is. Can we give a big, huge round of applause for Kay Pettit, our district classified employee of the year. Congratulations. That's
037for you. Bravo. Bravo, sir. So proud of you. Please. And as Kay is working her way down the line, I'd also like to share another announcement about Kay. Kay was considered at the state level for classified school employee of the year, which is a tremendous honor. Every county submits a number of classified employees, and Kay was one of the applications that was considered at the state level. That speaks to how outstanding she is. Bravo, Kay. Now, I have to think about this cuz I don't want to hit the next I don't know if there's a buffer slide here. So, I don't want to hit the next slide and give it away. No one knows who it is anyway. Before I announce our district teacher of the year, I'd also like to give a shout out
038to the committee that helped select. Once again, Dr. Alma Ulloa, Dr. Geary Torres, Arlene Whitney, and then Cathy Fong. Sorry, I got lost in my notes. Sam Plattis, and again, Patricia Diaz Arroyo. And now, Dr. Knox, I believe there's a second envelope. It is my honor to announce the Bellflower Unified School District Teacher of the Year. >> [snorts] >> Congratulations to Chandrala Hill. There was a buffer slide, but managed it. I think there was. Congratulations, Teacher of the Year. Can we give all of our honorees, including our district teacher and district classified employee of the year, a huge round of applause? Tonight Tonight is a reminder of what makes our district so special. It's not just our schools or programs, it's our people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this event
039so special and such an incredible opportunity to recognize everyone tonight. We have a number of thank yous. I want to take a moment to thank the many people who made this event possible. First and foremost, can we give a big round of applause to both Dr. Olmos and Dr. Knox? Thanks also to our PIO, Esmeralda Cisneros. Thank you. She's running around taking pictures. Our entire human resources team, Adriana Cervantes, Yolanda Gross, Anna Osaguera, Carol Whiting, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Sandy Barron, and Esther. The ladies are in the back. We have a fantastic team. I'd also like to thank Patrick Turner, Kevin Maze, and our entire MOT team. Thank you for helping with everything. We also need to give IT a shout out. Christian Caseras, Raul Masia, Hugo Larios, making all this possible. And we did live live
040stream tonight, so there will be a recording available for everybody to have this forever, which is great. We'd also, yes, give them some more. We'd also like to thank our Mayfair SkillsUSA students here in the red jackets. Stop for a second. Red The red jackets and their advisor, Annabelle Andrianico. And finally, a special thank you to both Judith Olmos and Martha Viegas for helping us with the flower arrangements this evening. Judith and Martha are back there being extremely shy. Once again, thank you all for being here tonight. Thank you also for all that you do for our students. As we exit tonight, please continue to enjoy some of the closing music from the Long Beach Blues Society and have a wonderful evening. Oh, and one last thing, I'm told Yes, the reminder about the centerpieces.
041So, we do need to give these centerpieces away. So, I think probably the easiest way to do this is the person at the table with the most recent birthday. How about that? So, there you go. And I already see one hand go up. Otherwise, if that doesn't work for your table, you can wrestle for it. Have a great evening, everyone. Thank you for coming to the second annual Star Wars. One last thing, all of our honorees, we need you to come to the front for a team group photo. All of our honorees, please come to the front for a group group photo with us. Ooh. Did it? That was so And again, please tonight, please make your way We're going to do a team photo. All of our honorees, please work your way We're going
042to do a group photo and then let the celebration begin. Once again, come on up, honorees. We're going to take a quick team photo to honor and celebrate. There are still some more desserts in the back. I believe there are still more desserts still back there, so help yourselves. So, as you exit, there was a great place for a photo opportunity. So, please take some time to take great photos with your families. Thank you again, everyone, for coming to the second annual Star Wars.