The Rotary Club of Montebello presented its annual Teacher of the Year award to Veronica Holguin, an educator at Montebello Park Elementary, during a ceremony at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello.
Gina Andujo, principal of Montebello Park Elementary, nominated the 4th/5th combo teacher for her exemplary commitment to her students’ extra-curricular development. Ms. Holguin is well-known in the community for her role as the creator and director of a beloved student musical production.
Describing Ms. Holguin’s ongoing performance art series as “Broadway in every sense of the word,” Andujo highlighted the great lengths that she goes through to ensure a successful show—including purchasing her own props and equipment, working with students outside paid instruction and stitching handmade costumes for her students in her free time.
Rotarian Richard Adams, who started the tradition during his tenure as president of the Montebello Rotary Club, presented the award to Ms. Holguin on behalf of Rotary President Shushma Patel, along with a $500 check to support her future productions and a large bouquet of flowers.
“One of the memorable traditions of the rotary club of is to salute education in the Montebello community,” said Kathy Schlotz, Rotarian and Executive Director of the Montebello Teacher’s Association.
Schlotz elaborated on the importance of the Teacher of the Year award.
“There’s always been a real strong connection between the Montebello Rotary Club and the Montebello Unified School District” Schlotz explained, “And, today is a day that we celebrate education once again.”
Originally published in the Montebello Reporter Newspaper, and as a E-newsletter For the Rotary Club of Montebello.
Evren Arat