EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD

Senator Boxer established this award to recognize teachers, parents, businesses and organizations that are working to make positive changes in education.

2007

Girls, Inc. of Alameda County
Senator Boxer visited Girls, Inc. of Alameda County to present her "Excellence in Education Award" to Executive Director Pat Loomes. Assemblymember Mary Hayashi presented Senator Boxer with Girls, Inc.'s "Bold Award" for her work in the U. S. Senate, and for inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold.

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2006

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Firebaugh H.S. - Lynwood CA
Senator Boxer visits Firebaugh High School to tour the grounds and present Dr. Steven Fischer, Lynwood Unified School District Teacher of the Year, with an Excellence in Education Award.

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Inland Empire Job Corps Center, San Bernardino, CA
Senator Boxer visited the Inland Empire Job Corps Center in San Bernardino, CA and presented them with an Excellence in Education Award.

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Child Care Resource Center
The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is a private not-for-profit agency dedicated to the promotion of higher standards in child care and early education through the quality, support, development, and education of children, parents, care providers, and the community.

On Annabelle Goodwin Play day in April of 2006, Boxer Senior Field Representative Adolfo Bailon presented the award to: Lorraine Schrag, former Executive Director of CCRC; Bruce Hendricks, CCRC Board Members; Michael Olenick, Current President and CEO of CCRC; Annabelle Goodwin, CCRC Founder and Mission College Amerita.

The National Teen Leadership Program (NTLP)
The National Teen Leadership Program (NTLP) cultivates and inspires teens to become civic leaders and encourages students to understand that it is within their power to help those in need and to show peers how they can contribute.  California-based, NTLP accomplishes its goal by reaching out to young people and giving them the tools to be extraordinary leaders through leadership training of the highest quality.

Boxer Field Representative Vincent Jones presented the award to National Teen Leadership Program Chairperson & CEO Laura Segura at a reception kicking off its 15th year.

ONEgeneration
Founded in 1978, ONEgeneration is a multi-faceted service agency that works to improve the lives of seniors, children and their caregivers. Throughout its existence, ONEgeneration has been dedicated to maintaining and restoring the independence and quality of life of older persons. As the agency grew, so did the mission and goals. ONEgeneration now provides a solid educational and social foundation for young children. ONEgeneration Daycare is the care industry's premier intergenerational shared site program. It is on the vanguard of a growing movement to provide shared site child care and senior care, thereby delivering real benefits to families, students and the entire community.

Boxer Senior Field Representative Adolfo Bailon presented the Senator's Excellence in Education Award to ONEgeneration board member Bob Oberstein.

Model Continuation Schools
The California Department of Education’s (CDE) Continuation Education program has been an option for students since 1919 for those in need of more flexible school schedules with an emphasis on vocational or career goals. This program is designed to meet the needs of students aged 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are not exempt from compulsory school attendance, and have not found success in the traditional high school.

The schools listed below were given Excellence in Education Awards by Senator Boxer.

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2005

The Shoah Foundation
The Shoah Foundation was established in 1994 by Steven Spielberg to tape and preserve video testimonies of Holocaust survivors and witnesses. After recording almost 52,000 video testimonies in 56 countries and 32 languages, the Shoah Foundation’s mission today is to "overcome prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry – and the suffering they cause – through the educational use of the Foundation’s visual history testimonies."

Read Senator Boxer's Press Release awarding the Excellence in Education Award to the Shoah Foundation

Desert Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club
Senator Boxer presented the Desert Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club with an Education Award for their work in providing an exceptional educational environment for the children of the greater Desert Hot Springs community.

2004

Four-D College
Founded in 1992 in Colton, Four-D College is the first and only African American-owned, fully accredited vocational school in California that is licensed to teach Vocational Nursing and allied health programs. Four-D College has produced more than 5,000 graduates in a variety of health care professions. Senator Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award to Four-D College for its significant contributions to public health in the San Bernardino area and for opening career opportunities for its students.

The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center
The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center is a community organization in South Los Angeles. With the support of UCLA and a coalition of 15 nonprofit and business organizations, the Wooten Center serves over 235 boys and girls, between the ages of 8 and 18. They offer daily homework assistance, individualized tutoring, youth leadership training, college and career preparation, arts and crafts, mentoring programs and computer training. Pictured on the left is Myrtle Faye Rumph, who founded the center in memory of her son, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1990.

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The Boys and Girls Club of Humboldt County
The Boys and Girls Club of Humboldt County operates afterschool programs throughout the county, including three sites in Eureka: two serving children in kindergarten through 5th grade (at The Club House and Alice Birney Elementary School) plus the Teen Center for 6th-12th graders. The program offers field trips, art projects, cooking classes, and discussion groups. The Club House, where Senator Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award, also has a garden where kids grow their own vegetables. (Senator Boxer is picture on the left with teacher Liz Smith and Gabe Ramos at the Club House).

The Rialto Police Activities League (Rialto PAL)/Boys and Girls Club
The Rialto PAL/Boys and Girls Club was created through a collaboration between the City of Rialto and the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino. The Senator recently toured the new facility, located on East Baseline Street, which is scheduled to open in August, 2004. (Senator Boxer is pictured with Rialto Police Chief Michael Meyers on the left and Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino Chief Professional Officer Clifford Hackney on the right).

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The Challengers Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles
Since 1968, more than 30,000 people ranging from the ages of six to 17 have benefitted from the Challengers Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles. The facility offers job training and educational and recreational activities, including media and radio broadcasting, computer training, arts and crafts, basketball, and tennis. The Challengers Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles continues to work toward improving the quality of life for area young people, giving them the important tools they need to succeed.

Santa Barbara Police Activities Leage (PAL)
Established in 1999, the Santa Barbara PAL works in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Police Department and other members of the community to provide quality educational, cultural and athletic programs for area young people from 4 ½ to 18 years of age. Activities offered by the program include basketball, football, swimming, wrestling, as well as cheerleading, Flamenco, hip-hop, deep sea fishing, self-defense, weight training and fly-fishing. In addition, the program provides homework tutoring, computer instruction, video editing and mentoring programs. (Senator Boxer is pictured on the left with Lt. Alex Altavilla and Police Chief Camerino Sanchez.)

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Sherman Oaks Community Charter
Sherman Oaks Community Charter's afterschool program serves 100 students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. The program offers tutoring, performing arts facilities, outdoor science labs, and an emphasis on teamwork, ethics, and communication. It is part of a collaborative effort with the City of San Jose, YMCA, and Catholic Charities. (Senator Boxer is pictured on the left presenting an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to Campbell Unified School District Governing Board President Susan Mayer and Sherman Oaks Elementary School Principal Peggy Bryan.)

IMPACTO
IMPACTO is an after-school program in Boyle Heights, California. It provides educational services to more than 100 elementary school and college-bound students living in and around the Pueblo Del Sol Housing Development. IMPACTO offers college preparation, after-school tutoring and homework assistance, book clubs, leadership workshops, recreational activities, cultural arts programs and parent empowerment. Senator Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award to IMPACTO when she visited the facility.

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Dr. Mayme Clayton
Dr. Mayme Clayton is a resident of Los Angeles and a collector of rare African American treasures. Her memorabilia includes more than 20,000 volumes and papers dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, more than 600 films dating back to the early 1900's, more than 9,000 records and sheet music dating back to the mid-1800's and approximately 75,000 photographs dating back to the inception of the camera in the mid-1800's. Senator Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award to Dr. Mayme Clayton for her outstanding and special preservation of African American history and culture.

Meadow View Elementary, Santa Rosa
The COOL SCHOOL afterschool program has been operating at Meadow View Elementary School for six years. Approximately sixty students, ranging from first through sixth grade, participate in the COOL SCHOOL afterschool program (Senator Boxer is pictured on the left with Roy Camarillo, Principal of Meadow View Elementary School).

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2003

Maurice Hill, Los Angeles
Maurice Hill has been recording textbooks for students with vision, physical or learning disabilities at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic's (RFB&D) Hollywood studio for 50 years. RFB&D is a national non-profit organization providing recorded textbooks, library services and other educational resources to people with visual, physical or learning disabilities. There are more than 5,000 RFB&D volunteers nationwide, with 500 working in the Los Angeles unit.

Read All Over, San Diego
Inspired by the personal story of San Diegan Deora Bodley, a victim of 9/11, 11-year-old Brant Whiting (pictured on the left with Senator Boxer and his mother) started Read All Over. The program organizes student-sponsored book drives and donates the books to schools in need. The award was presented by Senator Boxer at Monarch School, a school for homeless and at-risk children, where students received a donation of books from La Jolla Country Day School.

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Valley Family Technology Project, Pacoima
The Valley Family Technology Project is administered by the Youth Policy Institute in Pacoima. The project provides technology, education and training services to families and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley. Among the project’s programs are: a computer literacy program, technology-based academic programs for elementary through high school students, a workforce development program, and the Pacoima Online Academy with mentors and tutors offering online education to students.

Deborah Dzeguze, Torrance
Deborah Dzeguze (pictured on the left with one of her students) is a volunteer with the America Reads Challenge program through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of South Bay. She has been helping Carr Elementary School students improve their reading skills since 1999. In addition to the America Reads program, she has been involved in the PTA, Boy Scouts, Little League, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and other youth organizations.

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826 Valencia, Bay Area
826 Valencia is an organization in the San Francisco Bay Area that provides writing programs to students aged 8-18. Through its free workshops and tutoring programs, 826 Valencia allows students to develop a love of writing and important writing skills. The program also involves local educators and writers as tutors for the students.

Chapman Elementary School, Chico
Chapman Elementary School is a year-round elementary school in Chico, California. Called Chapman Achievement Program, or CAP, the program is available to students before and after school, with special attention to individual students' needs. More than half of the school's 480 students participate in the afterschool program. (Pictured on the left is Chico Mayor Maureen Kirk, Senator Boxer, Chico Vice Mayor Colleen Jarvis, and Chapman Elementary School Principal Maureen Stuempfig.)

Charles M. Weber Institute for Applied Science and Technology Head Start Program, Stockton
The Charles M. Weber Institute in Stockton, California offers both Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The Head Start program has been in operation for 5 years and operates year round, with 52 children enrolled in the two programs. The great success of this program illustrates how assisting children at a young age encourages enthusiasm about learning and better prepares children to start elementary school.

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Bret Harte Elementary School, Modesto
The 21st Century After School Learning Program at Bret Harte Elementary School in Modesto offers tutoring, cultural programs and fun activities for 130 students after school. Senator Boxer praised Bret Harte's After School program for creating a safe, nurturing and educational haven for children. (Pictured on the left is Senator Boxer presenting her award to Principal Joann Grether.)

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division
Senator Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award to the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) for its strong commitment to Southern California students. For 40 years, NSWC has been assisting students through numerous programs and services, such as mentoring, tutoring, providing workshops and donating computers to schools. NSWC is a great example of outstanding dedication to the educational community.

Para Los Niños, Los Angeles
Para Los Niños means "For the Children." Founded in 1980, Para Los Niños is a nonprofit family service agency that provides positive educational opportunities and support to children at 15 sites throughout Los Angeles and Ontario. The agency serves more than 3,500 families each year and more than 1,300 children each weekday. It works to raise at-risk children out of poverty and into brighter futures through positive educational opportunities and support to families and communities.

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Fred Cruz, Principal of Beyer Elementary School, San Ysidro
Principal Fred Cruz was selected to represent California at the National Center for Community Education (NCCE) Dialogue on afterschool programs titled, "Principals Soaring Beyond Expectations." Out of 27 principals nominated nationwide, 16 principals were invited to participate in the Dialogue in Michigan in June, 2003.

Larry Jones, Coach of Moorpark High School's National Champion Academic Decathlon Team, Ventura County
Larry Jones, the coach of Moorpark High School's Academic Decathlon team for 12 years, led his team to two national championships in 1999 and 2003. Senator Boxer assisted Coach Jones' 1999 team in arranging a visit to the White House.

LA's BEST
The mission of LA's Best (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow) is to provide a safe and supervised afterschool education, enrichment and recreation program for elementary school children. The LA's BEST program reaches out to inner-city children and provides unique enrichment opportunities. LA's BEST is a partnership of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector. Senator Boxer and Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn presented her Excellence in Education Award to LA's BEST at Gratts Elementary School in Los Angeles. (Pictured on the left is Senator Boxer presenting a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to the students of Gratts Elementary).

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Earl Warren Elementary School
The afterschool program at Earl Warren Elementary School is part of the Sacramento START (Students Today Achieving Results for Tomorrow) program. Sacramento START works on building the capacity of elementary school children to succeed academically and socially, while connecting families and neighborhoods with their schools. Senator Barbara Boxer presented her Excellence in Education Award to Dr. Betsey Inchausti, Principal of Earl Warren Elementary School in Sacramento.

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