TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

The 2010 Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Banquet honors all of what’s best about our city.

The efforts of individuals, groups, businesses and organizations will be recognized Saturday night at the DoubleTree Hotel in an event presented by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.

Winners are named in 14 categories, and there is also a Chairman’s Award selected from among all the nominees. The awards recognize contributions made in 2009.

You can watch the event at 8 p.m. Saturday on KGET-TV Channel 17.

Here are the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce 2010 Beautiful Bakersfield nominees:

 

All-America City Tradition — Civic/Nonprofit

The coordination of efforts that have enhanced the quality of life in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield Vision 2020 Image, Downtown Business Association and Gaslight Melodrama Theater: Developed entertaining trolley tours of historical landmarks and places of interest to educate residents and visitors about our community, positively reinforcing the many cultural, business and lifestyle opportunities that are available.

Children Joining Children for Success: Presented a holiday event for more than 1,300 court-dependent children who had the opportunity to “feel special and see what Christmas is really about” and raised funds for local school programs, benefiting children from all walks of life throughout the community.

Civil Air Patrol-Bakersfield Squadron 121: Provided emergency services to federal, state and local agencies, operated a national youth development program and fostered aerospace education through an all-volunteer organization serving America and the community.

Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank: Offered a variety of programs and services throughout the year and distributed a total of 4.4 million pounds of food to more than 352,000 individuals suffering from food insecurity.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection: Enhanced the quality of life for people with special needs through a family-directed resource center that symbolizes professionalism, dignity, compassion and respect, empowering parents to become the best advocate for their children.

Homes for Our Troops, Inc.: Teamed with Dave Packer Custom Builder to construct an adaptive home for Corporal Evan Morgan who was severely wounded in Iraq, exemplifying our community’s generosity, unity and support for its veterans who have suffered life-altering injuries.

Kern Assistive Technology Center: Helped the disabled community by improving people’s lives through assistive technology, providing training and information about services, equipment and other support that enables people to lead productive, independent lives.

Kern Regional Center Foundation: Spearheaded the Meet Your Special Neighbors project, an ongoing community outreach campaign that linked the community with the developmentally and physically disabled population and underscored the value and contributions of “special people with special needs doing special things.”

Architecture

The completion of a new design integrating the environment with space and materials.

Granite Construction Corporate Headquarters: 3000 James Road. Robert A. Klassen and Robert Blair, Klassen Corp., architect; Brian Barcus, structural engineer; Rose Sing and Associates, electrical engineer; Mark Baskin, mechanical engineer; Sierra Design, Inc., landscape consultant.

M. D. Manufacturing, Inc.: 34970 McMurtrey Ave. Mandy Freeland, M.S. Walker & Associates, architect; Mike Walker, M.S. Walker & Associates, contractor & developer; Randy Peterson, M.S. Walker & Associates, project coordinator; John Stacy, M.S. Walker & Associates, job superintendent; Grant Olewiler and Brian Graves, M.D. Manufacturing, Inc., project concept.

The Orchard: 10500 Hageman Road. Mike Walker and Steve Kieke, M.S. Walker & Associates, architect/contractor; Harry Kobzef, TCLA, Inc., landscape architect; Robert Clark and John Coelho, Forum Capital LTD, developer/owner.

Truxtun Office Complex: Truxtun Avenue and V Street. Vernon Roger Stevens, Stevens and Associates Architects, architect; Jeromy Lance Stevens, designer/project manager; Wallace & Smith Contractors, Inc., contractor; Brook Whitehead, owner.

Village Park Senior Apartments: 2300 R St. Derek Holdsworth, KSA Group Architects, architect; West Coast Community Builders, contractor; Golden Empire Affordable Housing, Inc., developer.

Arts — Individual

Excellence or achievement by an individual in any of the following: visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), dance, literature, music, theater.

Jill Egland: As director of special projects for The Arts Council of Kern, Jill Egland spearheaded the Kern Film Workshop and Performing Arts Project designed for people with special needs, creating new economic opportunities and practical vocational training and support for artists with disabilities.

Pat Evans: The 30-plus-year owner of World Records, Pat Evans has brought high quality musicians to Bakersfield for the past 15 years, presenting an ongoing concert series that adds to the diversity of Bakersfield’s musical and cultural heritage and shares his love of and passion for music with the community.

Char Gaines: Beginning her musical pursuits by taking piano lessons as a child, Char Gaines has served as accompanist and vocal coach for Bakersfield Music Theater since 1975, performing in more than 120 shows that leave the “sound of music” indelibly etched on the minds and hearts of theater-goers. 

Ronald M. Kean, D.M.A.: Setting the poetry of William Butler Yeats to music, Dr. Kean premiered his Yeats in Love choral song cycle with the Bakersfield College Chorale during the annual world music concert held at Bakersfield College as part of the Norman Levan Lecture Series.

Don Martin: Owner of Metro Galleries and avid champion for reviving the downtown business climate and Arts District, Don Martin has been a galvanizing force behind the thriving “First Friday” events that draw people back to the downtown area to socialize, shop and appreciate the beauty of our city.

Cindy Trueblood: Director of Civic Dance Center, Cindy Trueblood has been a dance instructor for many years and, for 32 years, has partnered with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra to bring the beauty, grace and magical enchantment of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to the community.

 

Arts — Group

Excellence or achievement by a group in any of the following: visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), dance, literature, music, theater.

The Arts Council of Kern: A collaborative effort with the Bakersfield Department of Economic Development, Kern County Probation Department and Anti-Graffiti Task Force transformed downtown area signal boxes that had been targets for tagging and vandalism into visually appealing works of art.

Bakersfield Museum of Art: Through art instruction provided to the Bakersfield Homeless Champ Camp, students created images of personal value on the general theme of homelessness in our society. The resulting works were exhibited and viewed by hundreds at the Bakersfield Museum of Art and through a national traveling exhibition.

Boys and Girls Club KidzArt Artists: Twenty-five works of art that were created and donated for the annual Artfest auction celebrated the work of young artists in our community. Proceeds were invested back into The Boys and Girls Club in the form of new art supplies and digital cameras.

Omnipresent Puppet Theater: “Bringing Your Favorite Stories to Life,” this professional touring company presents an original repertoire of live action puppet performances and workshops, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional fables and stirring the imagination of audiences of all ages.

San Joaquin Community Hospital’s Art Care Program: A visual arts and music program for hospital patients who worked with local artists on improvisational projects that “told their stories,” reduced stress, and calmed the mind, providing a creative outlet as well as hope and healing for those in need.

 

Commercial Remodel

The completion of a renovated design that upgrades an existing structure and/or incorporates the use of landscaping to enhance the aesthetic value of the property.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County — Keystone Teen Room Renovation: 801 Niles St. Team 2 of the GBCC Leadership Bakersfield Class of 2009: Lou Chizlett, Bright House Networks; Rene Chow, Bakersfield Police Department; Christabel Edwards, Frito Lay; Scott Gray, Business Initiatives, Sam Itani, San Joaquin Community Hospital; Alice Juarez, Wells Fargo; Jeremy Zoch, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield.

Enso Japanese Grill: 1419 19th St. Vernon Roger Stevens, Stevens and Associates Architects, architect; Phillip Chang, contractor/owner.

Fluxar Design Studio: 814 18th St. Jeromy Stevens, Stevens and Associates Architects, design and project manager; Steven Swan, Framing, subcontractor; Ernie Hernandez, Brown Brothers Cabinets, subcontractor; Brad Valdez, Brad Valdez Painting; Phillip Chang, contractor/owner.

Garces Memorial High School St. Dominic Student Chapel: 2800 Loma Linda Drive. Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc., architect; Sullivan Construction Services, contractor; Roger Hogan, Stain Glass Window Design, Garces Memorial High School Alumni Grounds & Garden Club, landscaper; Diocese of Fresno, Garces Memorial High School, owner.

Green Frog Market — Alta Vista: 258 Bernard St. KSA Group Architects, exterior architect; Bagnall Architects, interior architect; Colombo Construction, contractor; CDM Project Managers, project manager; Scott Hair and Everett Trust, owners.
Guild House: 1905 18th St. Roger Upton Design, designer.

Mill Creek Deli: 700 18th St. Citi Development, Inc., architect; Kustom Electric, electrical; Patty Doolittle, artist; Frank Hamm, landscape & rock; Robin Henkel, assistant decorator; Brenda Sharp, owner/designer.

Rosewood Retirement Community — Front Lobby: 1301 New Stine Road. Brian Ackerman, architect/designer; Ed Cummings Construction, contractor.

 

Education

Efforts that promote or benefit education in our city at all levels.

Advancement Via Individual Determination Program: Under the guidance of Brad Ruff, the AVIC program increased the number of students who enrolled in four-year colleges, focusing on the least-served students in the academic middle, helping them raise their expectations, preparing them for the rigors of college and grooming them for academic success.

Alliance of Women in Energy: Promoted innovation-centered education and increased economically disadvantaged female students’ achievements in science, technology, engineering and math through one-on-one mentoring with local professional women in energy-related fields.

Association for Advancement of Retired Persons: Conducted seminars and workshops to educate and inform seniors and their families about issues affecting them on a daily basis and provided resource and referral assistance to improve the quality of life for Bakersfield’s senior population.

Bakersfield Adult School: Provided opportunities for lifelong learning and achieving personal success through the Movin’ on Up: Transitions to the Next Step project, which helps students navigate through programs that lead to employment opportunities for adults.

Foundation for SUCCESS: Reduced bullying, drug activity and gang violence by mentoring students, promoting caring about their community and providing tutoring, service-learning and enrichment classes that encourage students to apply their social and academic skills in a meaningful, relevant manner.

Dr. Abbas P. Grammy: Advanced economic education through the Enterprise College program, through which high school students learn basic theories that apply to the private enterprise economy as well as concepts of management and leadership that empower them to become contributing citizens.

Erin Hodson: Kern Schools Federal Credit Union branch manager who furthered financial and banking education opportunities for youth in the community, helping to shape responsible money management skills, promote financial literacy and prepare students for a productive life.

Bob Lewy: East Bakersfield High School Health Careers Academy director who serves students wishing to pursue a career in the medical field, providing mentorship opportunities with health care providers and organizations and setting an example for public service through his own volunteer efforts.

Project D.R.E.A.M. (Delivering Real Education & Mentoring): Increased success for local foster youth through an academic mentoring program designed to meet the unique needs of these students, providing practical educational interventions, resources, activities, leadership and employment opportunities.

Valley Achievement Center: Contributed to special education and health awareness through a variety of education programs, helping to change the landscape for treating and working with children and young adults afflicted with autism and expanding service programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

 

Health

An individual, group or organization that has made a significant contribution toward healthy living in Bakersfield through education, prevention or medical services.

Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House: Thanks to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, McDonald’s operators and many more, a “home away from home” was created for families while their child is hospitalized.  The new Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House served 170 families in 189 days since its opening in June 2009. 

The Children’s Health Initiative of Kern County: Works to provide services and reduce barriers that keep families from enrolling children in public health insurance programs. In 2009, programs and services included free training, funding resources and referral services as well as new enrollment of 2,200 children in 1,164 families.

Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center — Families Fighting Cancer Program: Started in January 2009, 250 people, volunteers, staff and physicians served more than 4,500 cancer patients, survivors, family members and others in this new program. Through CBCC Foundation for Community wellness funding, 100 percent of donations are used to provide educational classes, emotional support, transportation and financial assistance to area cancer patients.

Darlyn’s Darlings, Pediatric Day Health Care Centre: Serving a population of medically fragile children with previously limited or no access to services, Darlyn’s Darlings and Caring Corner assists with education, day care, nursing, case management, parent education, community resources and more to serve children and their families. 

ElderLife Adult Day Health Care Center: Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2009, ElderLife provides loving care by trained professionals to some of the most vulnerable members of our community — the elderly and disabled — keeping them as independent as possible for as long as possible. 

Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy, Inc. — Coaches Clinics: Giving back in an area that is their specialty, Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy’s Coaches Clinics educate approximately 150 coaches from various high school and youth sports, providing a wealth of information to keep our young athletes healthy. 

Grossman Burn Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital: With the assistance of Aera Energy, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum and the Bakersfield City and Kern County Fire Departments, San Joaquin Hospital and Grossman Burn Center’s partnership has served well over 200 patients in the inpatient and outpatient centers since its opening in June 2009.

David B. Hair, M.D.: A Bakersfield native, Dr. Hair, Bakersfield Eye Institute, developed the first ocular transplant service in the Central Valley — only one of a few on the West Coast capable of providing services to help restore vision in complicated patient cases. In its first year, more than 25 patients have undergone vision-restoring transplant procedures. 

Carol Hatton: Helping individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease is Carol Hatton’s goal, believing that it is possible for people with dementia to have a reasonably good quality of life by providing education and understanding for families and caregivers. 

Kern County Public Health Services Department — Flu Fighters Campaign: Collaborating with private sector businesses, faith-based organizations and more to prevent the spread of H1N1, the Public Health Department created a community wide “preventive” campaign with the message of the three “C's” - Cover, Clean and Confine. 

Humanitarian — Individual

An individual whose personal efforts has contributed to the community as a whole.

Kim Albers: The co-founder of Flood Bakersfield Ministries, Kim Albers and fellow volunteers strive to establish meaningful relationships with families and individuals who are in crisis, empowering them to overcome their disadvantaged circumstances and obtain physical, emotional and spiritual support.

Mike Brown and Randy Harden: Created the Bikes for Bakersfield program, purchasing and giving bicycles to underprivileged children at Christmas and bringing joy and smiles at a special time of the year to hundreds of youth throughout the community.

Harvey L. Hall: Spearheads the Mayor’s Freeway Cleanup project, among many other efforts, which bring together the helping hands of neighbors to work together in the spirit of the community, provide a wholesome picture of our city and make Bakersfield a cleaner and more beautiful place to live.

Jeffrey Hill: Volunteers hundreds of hours each year to support a variety of fundraisers, toy drives and other projects that provide assistance, support and relief to individual children and their families, spreading goodwill and caring to those in need.

Michelle Johnson: With her passion for literacy, Michelle Johnson coordinated the Read Across America project, bringing together more than 1,300 children and their parents who experienced the joy of reading and learning and building a positive and strong relationship with the entire community.

Ross Johnson: Dedicated to keeping the Wilderness Park, Silvercreek and surrounding locales beautiful, Ross Johnson regularly removes graffiti and trash, endeavors to prevent vandalism and works to improve the neighborhood for the benefit of the entire area.

Jim Luff: Working tirelessly to make a positive difference, Jim Luff serves on boards, volunteers hundreds of hours and donates to more than 15 charitable organizations and projects, including Childrens’ Advocates Resource Endowment, Junior League, Kern Partnership for Children, and many, many more to improve the quality of life for people throughout the community.

Lori Christine Malkin: Regularly organizes and hosts bunco parties, creating a special way for the community to contribute to a wide range of organizations and raising awareness about more than 20 local charities. 

Dr. Rose Rakow DVM: Devoting her life to the care and treatment of animals, Dr. Rose Rakow has volunteered years of service to the Bakersfield SPCA, providing low-cost spay, neuter and microchip services and improving the lives of individual animals, their owners and neighborhoods.

Belinda Singleton: Organizer of the Bakersfield Burrito Project, Belinda Singleton and a group of volunteers gather donations and supplies in order to prepare food for homeless men and women in or near the Central Park area, making a difference one burrito at a time.

 

Humanitarian — Small Group

A small group whose combined efforts have contributed to the community as a whole.

Bakersfield Association of Realtors Can Tree Committee: Planning fundraising events, presentations and activities to help the Golden Empire Gleaners provide food and assistance to those in need in our community, the 10 volunteers of the Can Tree Committee raised over $10,000 in 2009.

Bakersfield Christmas Parade Committee: A nine-month “labor of love” by a few dedicated volunteers who make up the Christmas Parade Committee brought the community and volunteers together, starting with less than $500 and building what many say was one of the biggest and best attended Christmas Parades ever. 

Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association: Reaching out to touch children’s lives through literacy even in difficult budget times, BETA members did their part in 2009 through Read Across Bakersfield at the Fox Theater, Read to Children Day, Flower Power at the Street Faire, Day of the Teacher and Stuff the Bus events.

Bakersfield SPCA Therapy Dog Volunteers: Providing pet therapy to seniors, 20-25 volunteers gave 445 hours during more than 58 visits to 12 senior care facilities in 2009, bringing as much joy to the volunteers and the pets as it does to the seniors they visit. 

Career Services Center —  Career Closet: Making a good impression is vital when seeking employment, and the Career Services Center - Career Closet helps job seekers obtain professional attire for job interviews and to get started on a new career, thanks to donations from the community and Career Services Center employees.

Department of Human Services - Girl Scout Troop 451: Catering to the needs of foster youth, department social workers lead troop members by promoting team work and self-esteem building while providing positive adult role models. 

Eternal Flame at Union Cemetery: Twenty-two committee members, Bakersfield and West High Junior ROTC programs and local businesses combined to restore Union Cemetery’s Eternal Flame after more than 32 years of being extinguished due to the cost of power. The new solar-powered LED lighting and beautifully artistic flame serve as a lasting tribute to deceased veterans. 

Kern River Corridor Endowment — Panorama Vista Preserve: Working to restore and revegetate 1,000 acres of private land held in trust for the public just below the Panorama Bluffs Park, the KRCE volunteers encourage and promote preservation, education, scientific understanding and appropriate recreational uses of this greenbelt area. 

S.A.Y. (Save America’s Youth) Yes! Center: More than 35 volunteers from Calvary Bible Church, working with Standard School District “at-risk” students, provide a year-round after-school program including tutoring, homework help, recreation, chapel, family time and dinner. Volunteers provide approximately 150 hours per week to assist young people in the area.

 

Humanitarian — Large Group

A large group whose combined efforts have contributed to the community as a whole.

ACAP Productions Keep Old Glory Flying: Paid tribute to veterans and active duty service personnel during an annual event that creates a spirit of patriotism and extends thanks and gratitude to those who serve our country.

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club: Reflecting the honor that the Bakersfield community bestows on its service men and women, the first local Wreaths Across America project spearheaded by MaryJo Pasek resulted in 700 wreaths being placed at the headstones of deceased veterans at the new National Cemetery.

Bakersfield Condors: Worked all year to give back to the community, with endeavors including the Project Warm Families Coat Drive, Teddy Bear Toss, Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-thon, Jersey Off Our Backs Raffle and Auction and many other programs and volunteer efforts that benefited the entire community.

Children’s Miracle Network Business Council: Assisted with and presented a variety of year-round awareness and fundraising activities and events that served thousands of ill children throughout Kern County and helped to make miracles happen.

Guild House Volunteers: More than 250 volunteers supported the Guild House, which — for more than 100 years — has donated its proceeds to benefit the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic and make a difference in the lives of local children and their families.

Halliburton Energy Services: Employees volunteered countless hours and raised more than $23,000 in 2009, benefiting numerous organizations including the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House and many others.

Home Instead Senior Care: Organized and coordinated the Be a Santa to a Senior program, distributing more than 3,000 gifts, ornaments and cards that drew smiles and tears and brightened the holiday season for lonely and financially challenged seniors.

Women’s Club of Bakersfield: Supported numerous charitable organizations and raised scholarship funds for local youth through a variety of events and projects including The Festival of the Trees and Quilts of Valor, pouring the organization’s heart, love and resources back into the community.

 

Public/Private Partnership

The use of public/private funds in a partnership effort to enhance the quality of life in our community.

The Boys and Girls Club of Kern County, City of Bakersfield and County of Kern: A joint capital fundraising campaign by The Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, public agencies and community businesses raised more than $250,000 to renovate the Harvey L. Hall Gym, providing a safer, healthier and better-equipped environment for children and community.

City of Bakersfield, Bakersfield Southwest Baseball and Aera Energy LLC: The teaming of a public entity, non-profit group and large corporation resulted in the construction of the Aera Park youth baseball complex, creating a beautiful addition to the city’s park system and a lasting legacy for the children of Bakersfield.

Golden Empire McDonald’s Operators, Bakersfield City Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department: Local agencies, businesses and individuals banded together to bring a Ronald McDonald House to Bakersfield, which now has a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children throughout the community.

Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee and City of Bakersfield: A collaboration of individuals from the public and private sectors planted more than 555 trees on Highway 99 between Planz and Palm, improving our community’s quality of life through the beautification of a major highway strip.

San Joaquin Community Hospital, Bakersfield City Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department: The partnering of public and private agencies resulted in the addition of the Grossman Burn Center to Bakersfield, providing services and care that directly touch the lives of hundreds of burn victims and their families.

United Way of Kern County: In collaboration with public, private and nonprofit partners, United Way of Kern County undertook the Financial Independence Starts Here project, advancing the common good of the community by providing a way for families to break the cycle of poverty.

 

Seniors

An individual or group over age 55 who exemplifies the contributions, strengths and commitment of senior citizens.

California Living Museum Railroad Volunteers: A group of retired railroad enthusiasts and educators built and now maintain and operate the Central California Children’s Railroad at CALM, creating a special opportunity for children of all ages to ride a real train and experience the exhilaration, smiles and laughter wrought by a bit of magic.

Maria Delgadillo: For 20 years, Maria Delgadillo has been devoted to helping foster children, educating and caring for more than 200 youth who found a home, a loving, secure environment and a Mom who “helps and will always be there for you.”

Camille Gavin: A fervent supporter of the arts and promoter of literacy, Camille Gavin is a long-time columnist for The Californian, writing a weekly column as well as feature stories that enrich the lives of untold numbers of readers, encourage residents to participate in and support local nonprofits and celebrate Bakersfield.

Harold (Robby) Robinson: For more than 50 years, Robby Robinson has shared his love for and knowledge about landscaping with homeowners, employees, children and anyone interested in the outdoors, providing free seminars and classes and bringing the art of natural beauty to Bakersfield.

Rosewood Senior Living Residents: Logging more than 5,000 hours of community service to innumerable projects, organizations and agencies throughout Bakersfield and Kern County, the residents of the Rosewood Community are dedicated to caring for and helping others in need. It just goes to show that “Life Begins at 65!”

Youth — Individual

An individual under age 21 who, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the call of good citizenship.

Rose Barton: Starting by collecting “pop tabs” from soda cans, Rose Barton expanded her volunteer fundraising efforts by selling lemonade and treats during the summer and hot cocoa in the fall. With the goal of helping families stay close to their children when they are ill, Rose raised more than $1,200 for the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House.

Cory Camp: With assistance from his troop, Cory Camp directed his Eagle Scout project efforts toward renovating, repairing and upgrading the playground at The Boys and Girls Club, which now sports a clean, attractive and safe environment that can be enjoyed by the children served by the club.

Cameron Hutton: An Eagle Scout and Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow, Cameron Hutton has lead many young people through the scouting program, volunteering many hours at summer camp, sharing his talents and skills with people of all ages and serving as a mentor, tutor and role model for youth.

Douglas Taylor Jr.: Representing Kern County at Eagle Scout conferences in Valley Forge, Pa., and at Texas A&M University, Douglas Taylor assisted with numerous community service projects that benefited a variety of organizations, including the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and M.A.R.E.

Taylor Willoughby: Dedicated to the health and well-being of area residents, Taylor Willoughby — at age 7 — was the youngest volunteer for the Public Health Department’s H1N1 clinics, passing out forms, serving as a “runner” and doing what she could to aid in the efforts to stop the flu epidemic.

Youth — Group

A group under age 21 that, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the call of good citizenship.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Squadron 121: Demonstrating their gratitude and patriotism, cadets participated in the Wreaths Across America project to remember those who served; honor active duty service members, survivors, veterans groups, and fallen heroes; and support the Bakersfield community.

East Bakersfield High School — Health Careers Academy: Volunteering more than 500 hours of service to the Ronald McDonald House, 60 students were the “faces” of the house months before it opened, doing everything from gardening to cleaning in order to prepare a home-away-from-home for families with hospitalized children.

Fruitvale Junior High School History Day Performance Group: Took first place in the 2009 History Day state competition and won first place in the nation for their presentation about Sylvia Mendez and the story of Mexican-American segregation in California schools during the 1940s, capturing local and national recognition for the school and Bakersfield.

Horace Mann State Pre-K: Through a variety of projects, including tributes to the Navajo Code Talkers, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Peaceful Soup,” Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Cesar Chavez’s “Si Se Puede” Garden and the 2009 Oral Language Festival, students and their families came together and celebrated the cultural diversity of both class and community. 

Stockdale High School Student Body: Participating in a wide range of projects, including a canned food drive, Adopt-a-Star, One Dollar for Life, Key Club Halloween Party, Tools for School, and a blood drive, students worked year-round to help others by improving and assisting in the quality of life for those in need throughout our community, amply demonstrating that “Stockdale Cares.”

Sunset Middle School Solar Garden: An abandoned, overgrown area was transformed into an outdoor classroom with a working garden, greenhouse and solar array, enabling special-needs students to learn about science and natural resources and serving as a solar demonstration site for the community.