Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation celebrates honorees at Celebration of Education

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation’s (LTEF) Celebration of Education was held on May 16 at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Over 150 people enjoyed the event which featured creations by the South Tahoe High School (STHS) culinary students, led by teacher David Jones. Guests enjoyed prosciutto and salami, focaccia, olive tapenade, orzo salad, chicken skewers, fresh fruit, and grilled vegetables. As guests ate, STHS music teacher Jordan Bagheri’s Jazz Band played on the scenic patio overlooking the golf course.

County Supervisor Brooke Laine, a longtime former LTEF board member and active STHS alumni, emceed a packed program. She noted LTEF was coming full circle by again hosting a Spring social gathering to honor the fine work done at the school district. This was the primary program at LTEF’s founding in 1989.

Entertainment started with Tahoe Valley Elementary School students, led by Nicole Mora and Allyssa Little, who performed selections from their recent production of 'Frozen.' STHS theater teacher Ethan Niven (and his predecessor/mother the original 'Niv') brought the all-star cast from the Spring musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The STHS Choir, led by Director Allyssa Little, tuned up for an upcoming competition with beautiful selections for the audience.

Wrestling coach Ryan Wallace, featured in the documentary Momentum, delivered the first LTEF “Ed Talk” inspiring the crowd with his experiences working with middle school students and wrestlers to help them overcome their challenges using his own experience as an amputee Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler recognized LTUSD’s Employees of the Year:
Bijou - Rebecca Musalo and Martha Ubias; Meyers - Liesbeth Meiles; Sierra House - Geoff Henderson and Karina Mariscal Jiminez; Tahoe Valley - Cindy Gronwold and Gilberto Valdez; STMS - Nicole Zunino and Karla Toro; STHS - Isaiah Tannaci and Jennifer Truscott; and Mt. Tallac/Elevated - Amy Jackson and Diana D'Angelo. Employees from the district office: Maintenance and Transportation - Francisco Aguirre and Jason Cox; Technology - Scott Ramirez; Education Services - Jenny Goldstein; Business Services - Marimar Perez-Banuet; and Human Resources - Edith Albiter-Martinez

Dr. Cutler also acknowledged this year’s retirees, who will be honored in a separate ceremony on June 7 at the STHS Student Union: Suzy Allione, Michael Nagano, Kathleen Whatford, Cindy Gronwold, Jill Colvin, Karla Peterson, Maria Morales de Harlan, and Socorro Sanchez.

The celebration culminated with speeches from the inaugural class of LTUSD’s Hall of Distinction. The Hall was created this year to honor exceptional LTUSD alumni, retired employees, and distinguished service volunteers in the district. A formal induction ceremony was held at the district office earlier in the afternoon.

Honorees

Distinguished Alumni, Grant Carter, Class of 2000
Grant graduated from STHS with honors, was selected to honor band, and ran cross country and track all four years – winning the Nevada state cross country championship in 1999. He went to Oregon State University on a scholarship and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy upon graduation. He has served for almost 20 years, rising to the rank of Commander, and has served on a variety of ships and on-shore assignments including removing mines from a disputed Japanese-Chinese island, providing humanitarian relief in Libya, and is currently assigned to the Western Pacific maintaining combat readiness for U.S. warships in Japan. Grant’s parents are both retired LTUSD teachers and Grant is considering returning to South Lake Tahoe after retirement from the Navy.

Distinguished Former Employee, Susan Baker
She was an LTUSD teacher from 1990 – 2014 and is known for her dedication to shaping young minds, fostering growth, and creating a nurturing environment for students. After 5 years of team teaching at the middle school, Susan moved to the high school to teach English and AVID. In 2004, she took on a special assignment at Mt. Tallac where she built a highly successful program transforming classrooms, establishing a Young Parent Program, and elevating student success. Susan is still dedicated to Mt. Tallac, where she continues to volunteer as an advocate for those students who need it most.

Distinguished Service Volunteer. Ruth Rich
Ruth has been an involved parent and volunteer at LTUSD schools for 20 years. Ruth served on the PTAs of Meyers Elementary, STMS, and STHS Boosters, advocating for bond measures, and engaging with visioning meetings. Whether it’s volunteering in the classroom, attending and helping with school events, or advocating for resources, Ruth always puts all students’ needs first.

Distinguished Service Volunteer, Austin Angell
Austin Angell has been a track and cross country coach and volunteer at STMS for 50 years sharing his passion for running and as a living testament to perseverance and the joy of movement. At age 81, Austin still runs with the students and is the namesake of the annual award for the middle school’s outstanding runner. He was present at the 1968 Olympic qualifiers at the track built on Echo Summit to replicate altitude for the Mexico City games. When that track, which had been moved to STMS, started to deteriorate, Austin helped rally community members to secure funding to ensure a safe place for the community to train and compete. Austin is a well-known figure and is known for kindness, mentorship, and commitment to our community.

Distinguished Service Volunteer, Wendy David
Wendy is a volunteer icon in the community, known for her many activities that help children and the most vulnerable. 40 years ago, Wendy and her husband Kerry moved to town and she immediately started contributing to LTUSD, first as a teacher's aide, then as a classroom volunteer, on PTAs and School Site Councils as her four children grew up in the district. She was known as “Teacher Wendy” to a generation of students as a director at Tahoe Parents Nursery School. Wendy served on the LTUSD Board of Trustees from 1997-2014, and as president of the board for 13 of those years. She oversaw four superintendents and led the district with collaboration and compassion through difficult financial times due to declining enrollment in the early 2000s. She was instrumental in passing Measure G which provided much-needed facility improvements, especially at the high school. Some of Wendy’s roles have included: Commissioner for First Five El Dorado (17 years, 3-Term Chair); Child Abuse Prevention Council; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (22 years, 10 as site administrator); Lake Tahoe Collaborative (since 1998); Founder/Director of Tahoe Magic (30+ years); Co-Founder/Volunteer, Bread & Broth (30+ years); Founding Director, Tahoe Women’s Community Fund; Director, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless; El Dorado Community Foundation – SLT Cabinet/Give Tahoe Chair; Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK); and a proud member of Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra since 1997. She was elected to the City Council in 2014 and served as Mayor for 2 years of her 4-year term. Wendy recently concluded a 5-year term on the Barton Hospital Board of Directors.

Nominations for next year's honorees of the Hall of Distinction will be open next Fall.