Rotary honors Silva Valley fifth-grader and applauds his teachers and parents.

Just call him "The Little Engine That Could."

That's how Silva Valley Elementary teachers describe fifth-grader Justin Heckman, the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills' Student of the Month.

"He has the attitude of 'I think I can, I think I can'," said special education teacher Karen Schott. "Justin is one of those students who is unforgettable."

Fifth-grade teacher Cori Alameda applauded Justin's work ethic and willingness to ask for help. "He has worked really hard and I know  he's going to be successful at what ever he does," she said.

That sentiment was echoed by tutor Michelle Presnall, who also teaches at Silva Valley. All three women also credited Justin's parents, who worked with their son's teachers to get him on track. Proud mom Kelley Heckman said, "This kid has worked so hard and I'm so proud of him." Dad John Heckman noted that his son willingly does his homework before playtime — a fact that impressed Rotary Club President Wayne Lowery, who presented Justin with a plaque and $50.

Lowery called Justin an future leader and said if every child had the determination and support Justin received the future would be in great hands.

Another great success at Rebuilding Together Sacramento event Saturday, April 30!

Kind words and praise summed up the accomplishments of three local teachers as administrators gushed over them at the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills’ annual Teacher of the Year ceremony May 4.

Oak Ridge High School
Asst. Principal Pam Bartlett brought an entire essay on Teacher of the Year Angela Brown, who teaches history and government courses.

This “teacher extraordinaire” is “intelligent, invested and inspirational,” according to Bartlett. “She’s committed to bringing out the best in her students.” Two 11th-grade students even came to the Rotary event to support their teacher. 

Buckeye Union School District
Ann Harry received as much praise for what she does outside of the classroom as what she does inside.

William Brooks Elementary School Principal Kathi Jensen said the third-grade teacher “will never be old. She keeps up and keeps sharp to be on top of her game.” Harry, who lost a child to a brain tumor, has tirelessly dedicated her time to the cause, raising $250,000 for pediatric brain tumor research through the Sam Harry Foundation.

Rescue Union School District
Middle School English language learners teacher Norma Pettit demonstrated admirable commitment to her students, according to Asst. Superintendent David Swart, who said, ”Norma has gone beyond the call of duty. She’s involved in the lived of our students and their families.”

CONGRATULATIONS to Michael Mello, the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills Student of the Month. 

School officials and El Dorado Hills Rotarians recently honored Hannah Dardano as Student of the month.

Oak Meadow fifth-grade teacher Sue Burkland said Hannah capably handles conflicts between her peers as a conflict manager and is always asking questions.

"Hannah has this thirst for knowledge," Burkland explained. "She's just a great all-around person I'm so glad she came to our school."

Hannah thanked the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills and her family for all their support.

El Dorado Hills Rotarians Coy Baugh and Laurie Edwards wined, dined and mined five guests from Peru this week, taking them on a tour of El Dorado County and introducing them to local characters.

Margot Escobeda, an orthodontist who owns and manages a busy dental clinic in Lima; Susana Monzon, a nutritionist specializing in obesity who  was previously on the Peruvian National Team of Swimming; Susan Herrera, a human resources worker; Moira Alvarado, a home care nurse;  and Maria de Lourdes Sheen, an environmental engineer specializing in air and noise quality, are members of the Group Study Exchange Team hosted by Rotary District 5180. They will spend a month in California (May 13-June 13) while a team of  from this area spend a month in Peru.

“The GSE program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers,” states the Rotary International website. “For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.”

This past week Lourdes Sheen has been home hosted by El Dorado Hills Rotarians Bill and Sherie Tobin, while other team members were hosted by families in Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Fair Oaks.

Last Wednesday four of the “chicas” learned about El Dorado County’s culture. Escobeda, the team leader, did not go on our tour as she participated in a specialized vocational tour with UC Davis Medical Center.

Their first stop was Cameron Park Air Estates, a neighborhood with extra wide streets and short street signs to allow planes to taxi off the airstrip of Cameron Park Airport to the pilots’ oversized garages.

Denny Davis, a retired Sacramento firefighter and a retired administrative law judge for the state of California, had  South American music playing in his garage/hanger when the team arrived. He shared stories about the memorabilia he’s collected and allowed them to try on a World War II pilot’s flight helmet and sit in the cockpit of his 1967 Beechcraft Debonair plane. He also showed the team the 1927 Model T Ford he restored, and the frame off restoration for his 1956 Chevy Be Lair.

The team also met Davis’ 91-year-old mother Jessie Davis who said she was very excited to meet the Peruvian guests.

Denny described the team as great ambassadors for their country, adding, “I was very impressed by their enthusiasm and interest, and how affectionately and wonderfully they treated my mother. It made her very happy.”

Tenacious best describes the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills latest Student of the Month, according to Rolling Hills Middle School Assistant Principal Dustin Haley.

Now graduated eighth-grader Blake Fabian won the schools "Tenacity Award," Haley noted. "He has come so far," the educator said at Wednesday's Rotary meeting, "and has become such a fine young man."

Blake, who will attend Oak Ridge High School next year, participated in the middle school's drama productions and worked on the school paper. He's an "extraordinary" young man, Haley said, and though the staff and teachers are happy he's moving on they're sad to see him go.

Blake was joined by his proud mother Sarah Fabian. He received a plaque and a $50 gift from Rotary Club President Jeff England at the breakfast event.

Surprising El Dorado Hills firefighter Jeno Inzerillo with the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills Firefighter of the Year award wasn't easy.

"When I told Jeno to report to the senior center I think he thought we were retiring him out," joked EDH Fire Chief Dave Roberts and Wednesday's breakfast meeting.

Instead, Inzerillo, with his wife Sally and their two children Anthony, 7, and Grace, 5, was greeted by fellow firefighters, the chief and a room full of applauding Rotarians.

"This was a huge, huge surprise," Inzerillo said.

Inzerillo stood out in the department because of his work with the El Dorado Hills Fire Department's Explorer Program, which teaches youth ages 15 to 18 about a career in the fire service as well as providing them with a sense of responsibility to their neighborhood through ongoing community related activities, according to information posted on edhfire.com.

Inzerillo approached the chief about starting the program two-and-a-half years ago and, Roberts noted, "He has built it into an amazing program."

A humble Inzerillo thanked the chief and Rotary for the award, saying he feels honored to serve the residents of El Dorado Hills. Though he's worked in several jurisdictions over the years, Inzerillo insisted, "This is the best community."