In The News
DeHart honored for lifetime of service
86-year-old's energy amazes admirers
Saturday August 22, 2009
By Register-Pajaronian
source: http://www.register-pajaronian.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=7603
The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, August 22, 2009
http://www.register-pajaronian.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=7603
DeHart honored for lifetime of service
86-year-old's energy amazes admirers
By JON CHOWN OF THE REGISTER-PAJARONIAN
Published: August 22nd, 2009, Register-Pajaronian, Page 1
Tarmo Hannula/Register-The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club honored Rhea DeHart Thursday night, bestowing the retired teacher with the 2009 Tony Hill Award for community service in the Pajaro Valley.
DeHart, 86, retired from teaching 25 years ago, but has always stayed active in education . She was the union president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, a member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees from 2002-06 , and currently serves on the board of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance. She is also a Watsonville Planning Commissioner and helps out many local nonprofits.
Luis Alejo, Watsonville's vice mayor and a founding member of the Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, said the award was given to DeHart for her lifetime of service to Watsonville and Santa Cruz County. He said that after her name came up in the nomination process, nobody else was mentioned, and club members unanimously voted for her.
"Everyone knows Rhea is the hardest-working elected or appointed official in the Pajaro Valley," Alejo said. "Her dedication to the students and young people of the Pajaro Valley exemplifies public service."
DeHart, who stands about 4-foot-6 and is known for her fiery red hair and high heels, is a fixture at City Council meetings , school board meetings, and most other civic functions. DeHart said her students during her teaching years included City Council members Greg Caput and Manuel Bersamin , as well as Deputy Police Chief Manny Solano.
Rudy Pedulla, who taught social sciences with DeHart at Watsonville High, said DeHart's teaching was innovative.
"It was a joy to work with her," he said. "She took students on field trips to the juvenile hall and to Alcatraz. It changed their lives in some cases."
Robert Chacanaca, president of the Santa Cruz Council of Classified Employees, AFT Local 6084, said DeHart is his mentor.
"She's been an inspiration to me," Chacanaca said. "Her wisdom and style, I will never get to that level, but I'd like to. And she does so many things for the community that people don't know about - mentoring teachers , district administrators."
Dobie Jenkins, who served with DeHart on the Planning Commission, said he is just amazed at all the activities De-Hart is involved in.
"She's involved in more organization philanthropic, political , educational - I just don't know how she has the time to do it," Jenkins said. "She's a really great example for older people . She's the youngest 86-yearold I know and an inspiration to those of us in our 60s and 70s."
It is the second Tony Hill Award the club has given. In 2008, George Ow was honored. The Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, founded in 2004, is the only club in America to bear the labor leader's name. Thursday's event also featured speaker John Burton, a former Democratic Party Chairman for California and state senator. State Assemblyman Bill Monning also spoke. Alejo said the event, which was held at the Green Valley Grill, is the club's largest fundraiser of the year.
PHOTO:
Pajaronian Rhea DeHart, former Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee and teacher, was presented the second annual Tony Hill Award Thursday evening at Green Valley Grill.
http://www.register-pajaronian.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=7603
DeHart honored for lifetime of service
86-year-old's energy amazes admirers
By JON CHOWN OF THE REGISTER-PAJARONIAN
Published: August 22nd, 2009, Register-Pajaronian, Page 1
Tarmo Hannula/Register-The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club honored Rhea DeHart Thursday night, bestowing the retired teacher with the 2009 Tony Hill Award for community service in the Pajaro Valley.
DeHart, 86, retired from teaching 25 years ago, but has always stayed active in education . She was the union president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, a member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees from 2002-06 , and currently serves on the board of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance. She is also a Watsonville Planning Commissioner and helps out many local nonprofits.
Luis Alejo, Watsonville's vice mayor and a founding member of the Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, said the award was given to DeHart for her lifetime of service to Watsonville and Santa Cruz County. He said that after her name came up in the nomination process, nobody else was mentioned, and club members unanimously voted for her.
"Everyone knows Rhea is the hardest-working elected or appointed official in the Pajaro Valley," Alejo said. "Her dedication to the students and young people of the Pajaro Valley exemplifies public service."
DeHart, who stands about 4-foot-6 and is known for her fiery red hair and high heels, is a fixture at City Council meetings , school board meetings, and most other civic functions. DeHart said her students during her teaching years included City Council members Greg Caput and Manuel Bersamin , as well as Deputy Police Chief Manny Solano.
Rudy Pedulla, who taught social sciences with DeHart at Watsonville High, said DeHart's teaching was innovative.
"It was a joy to work with her," he said. "She took students on field trips to the juvenile hall and to Alcatraz. It changed their lives in some cases."
Robert Chacanaca, president of the Santa Cruz Council of Classified Employees, AFT Local 6084, said DeHart is his mentor.
"She's been an inspiration to me," Chacanaca said. "Her wisdom and style, I will never get to that level, but I'd like to. And she does so many things for the community that people don't know about - mentoring teachers , district administrators."
Dobie Jenkins, who served with DeHart on the Planning Commission, said he is just amazed at all the activities De-Hart is involved in.
"She's involved in more organization philanthropic, political , educational - I just don't know how she has the time to do it," Jenkins said. "She's a really great example for older people . She's the youngest 86-yearold I know and an inspiration to those of us in our 60s and 70s."
It is the second Tony Hill Award the club has given. In 2008, George Ow was honored. The Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, founded in 2004, is the only club in America to bear the labor leader's name. Thursday's event also featured speaker John Burton, a former Democratic Party Chairman for California and state senator. State Assemblyman Bill Monning also spoke. Alejo said the event, which was held at the Green Valley Grill, is the club's largest fundraiser of the year.
PHOTO:
Pajaronian Rhea DeHart, former Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee and teacher, was presented the second annual Tony Hill Award Thursday evening at Green Valley Grill.