20 Kids Awarded CV Student-Citizen of the Year
Twenty students were honored last week as part of the annual Student-Citizen Award, sponsored by the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. Each student was presented with a plaque with their name engraved on it and a donation of books to take back to their schools.
The Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce recognized 20 outstanding local students at its Student-Citizen of the Year event last Thursday.
All the schools in Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) were represented, including the CV Adult and Career Education and the Roy Johnson Program. Awards were also given out for Redwood Christian Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, the East Bay Arts High School in San Lorenzo, and Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Castro Valley.
Each student was presented with a plaque with their name engraved on it that will hang at their school. They also received a certificate from Supervisor Nate Miley, who also provided a donation of books as part of the table decorations, which the students took back to their schools at the end of the event.
"The event was really terrific," said CVUSD Board of Trustees and Chamber member Gary Howard. "The students were so excited. The small ones quite literally ran up to receive their award, but even the high school students were clearly thrilled. The parents beamed."
A representative for their school was also given a chance to spotlight the students' achievements for the Student-Citizen Award. For example, Creekside Middle School student Norédia Iyamu volunteers at the San Leandro Public Library each month and for her church’s leadership group each week. She has also worked with City Team in Oakland, an organization that services the homeless population.
Castro Valley High School's Ezra Tramble Ezra participated in and is a youth educator with the Hidden Genius Project, which trains and mentors Black men in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
Margarita Mayzemberg is an active leader in the Vannoy Elementary Courageous Cougars team. Margarita also participates on the compost team, teaching younger students the importance of composting and how to compost correctly.
Stanton Elementary's Sophia Gamino volunteers to carry classroom lunch bins for classes and often helps the custodian with litter cleanup and general campus beautification. Outside of school, she plays basketball for Transfiguration Church and shares her skills with her peers during recess.
"I love seeing students shine! A huge thanks to the Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and the many sponsors for making the event possible. Celebrating our students is always a highlight," said CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi.
Each award winner demonstrated qualities in two categories: School and Community. Extra-curricular activities such as clubs, athletics, music, library helpers, and student council are factored into the "School" category. Youth organization participation in groups like Scouts, Campfire, 4-H, softball, Little League, and Boys/Girls Clubs are considered when deciding a student's "Community" efforts.
"I'm grateful to be involved in a community that acknowledges students for choosing to do what is right. Each school selected its student citizen for who they are and their positive, community-building choices. As a result, we are all living in a better community," said Redwood Christian School Superintendent Al Hearne.