Valley People

Local earns academic honor
Blaire Ann Ward of Scotts Valley, a 2012 Scotts Valley High School graduate, has been recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at San Diego State University.
Ward’s other achievements include being a member of Associated Students, elected PSFA Representative of her college, and selected for Rotaract.
The sophomore communications major is currently on executive for her sorority Pi Beta Phi and has made the Dean’s List all first three semesters.
Music educator honored with hall of fame nod
Jon Christian of the San Lorenzo Valley was named to California Music Educators Association Hall of Fame as a representative of the Central Coast Section.
Christian’s resume includes many other awards, including an Outstanding Achievement Award from the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce for directing the SLVHS Marching Band in 1981, the Excellence in Education Award from the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District in 1984, an acknowledgement from the California Assembly Resolution for his exemplary accomplishments in education in 2000, and the CMEA Aubrey Penman Retired Music Educator Award in 2005.
Christian is currently the Band Director for the San Lorenzo Valley Community Band and has been since 1997.
Local elected chairman of aid organization
John Keane of Scotts Valley, an insurance industry veteran, has been elected as chairman of the board of directors for Shelter Box USA, an international humanitarian relief organization.
Keane is vice president of insurance operations for Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group and has worked in the industry for more than 25 years.
Boulder Creek resident earns academic honor
Amber Acacia Allen of Boulder Creek, a freshman at University of New Mexico, made the Fall 2013 University’s Dean’s List with a maintained 3.875 GPA.
Allen has been invited to be a member of the University’s National Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma, and nominated by the university to become a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Firefighter appointed to commission
Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Ron Whittle was appointed by the Scotts Valley City Council as the city’s representative to the Hazardous Materials Advisory Commission. He replaced Scott Hamby on Jan. 15.
His term is set to expire on April 1, 2017.
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