Valley People

Local teachers nominated for Educators of the Year
Scotts Valley High School English teacher Ann Brooke-Freeman and San Lorenzo Valley High Science Department Head Ned Hearn were both nominated for California League of High Schools Educator of the Year.
The CLHS’ Educator of the Year award is given annually to 11 teachers from different regions of California.
The CLHS hosted an Educator of the Year Dinner on Wednesday, Dec 4, which Brooke-Freeman and Hearn each attended.
Fire department honors thirty years of service
Scotts Valley Fire District’s board of directors honored Battalion Chief John Whittle for his 30 years of service to the department during a ceremony on January 21.
Whittle began as a volunteer firefighter on Jan. 1, 1984. Four years later he became a paid firefighter, and was promoted to driver in 1991, captain in 2002, and battalion chief in 2004.
Whittle manages the department’s Emergency Medical Services, Information Technology, Fire Investigation and Public Education programs while commanding one of three shifts. He lives in Scotts Valley with his wife and two daughters.
Other current fire district employees with 30 years of service are Battalion Chief Jim Delucchi and captains Pete Stelling and John Crivello.
Ben Lomond local makes dean’s list
Ben Lomond native Alison Sutherlin was named to the Dean’s list at Harding University for her grades earned in the fall 2013 semester.
Students included on the Dean’s list must have carry a 3.65 or higher grade-point average with 12 or more units.
Harding University is the largest private university in Arkansas with 6,295 students and also has campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia.
Red Cross appoints new local executive
The American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State Region appointed San Jose native Ginaia Kelly as the new Community Chapter Executive for Santa Cruz County.
“I am honored to be selected to lead this outstanding organization,” said Kelly in a statement. “I sincerely believe that we are meant to help each other through life’s journeys. The Red Cross mission forms a natural connection between my professional experience and my passion to help the community and those in need.”
In her new position, Kelly will work with the 622 local volunteers and four employees to serve the residents of Santa Cruz County with the Red Cross’s programs and services.
Kelly works locally as an attorney and is also involved in several other non-profit organizations including Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County and the Young Lawyers of Santa Cruz.
– Submit items about accomplishments and celebrations involving local people to

pb******@pr*********.com