Coronado Optimists Celebrate ‘Friends of Youth’

 

“With great pride, we celebrated four outstanding ‘Friends of Youth’ on April 15,” says Venus Sanford, Coronado Optimist Club’s Charter Member.  “We’ll highlight two educators and two first-responders.”

 

The Friends of Youth Awards were presented 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, at the Range Cafe in Bernalillo.  As always, the public was welcome, according to Ms. Sanford.

Educators Serve their Community

Bernalillo Public Schools selected Suzie Padilla as this year’s “Friend of Youth” Award recipient.  Ms. Padilla is a Social Studies teacher at Bernalillo Middle School.

 

Deputy Superintendent Norma Binder says, “Ms. Padilla is always involved in extra activities that enrich the personal and academic lives of the students.”  Additionally, Ms. Binder says that Ms. Padilla’s entire family is involved with the Bernalillo Public Schools.  Her husband is a BPS teacher and her children BPS students.  The presentation was made by BMS Principal Jacque Mangham.

 

The Coronado Optimist Club selected Ishana Norman as their “Friend of Youth” Award recipient.  Ms. Norman is the school counselor at Carroll Elementary School where she has been a constant help resource for the Optimist Club and her school.

 

“Ishana cares for the students and staff at Carroll, and she cares for their families,” says David Gardner, COC Vice President, and Pack Master of Cub Scout Pack 708.  “Ishana has helped the Cub Scouts and the Optimists better our serve our community, and these are just two of the many community groups she works with for her students’ benefit.”

 

First Responders Befriend the Youth

Sergeant Ronnie Hunt reports that the Sandoval County’s choice for the Coronado Optimist Club’s “Friend of Youth” Award is Animal Control Officer Lawrence Tafoya.  “Officer Tafoya goes out of his way...to help the citizens of Sandoval County,” says Sgt. Hunt.  Tafoya has a big heart, truly loves animals, and his attitude is always great in the work place, according to Hunt.  Undersheriff Karl Wiese made the presentation.

 

Officer Scott Calcutt has been selected by Chief Tom Romero of the Bernalillo Police Department as the 2015 COC “Friend of Youth.”  This year, in an agreement with the Bernalillo Public Schools, Officer Calcutt was assigned as the school resource officer for Bernalillo High School where he has helped to foster more positive relationships with the students, the school, and the police department.

 

Chief Romero sums up the goal of the “Friend of Youth” Award, which is to “help to have a long term positive impact” on our community, according to Snow Watson, Coronado Optimist Club’s Past President.

 

Reprinted in part from the April 2015 Signpost, www.sandovalsignpost.com