'I Love You, Never Smoke, Go to College'

A common thread among Pacifica school volunteers recognized at an awards ceremony at on Wednesday night was the deep gratitude classroom teachers and school administration showed them.

Pacifica teachers honored the many volunteers that Pacifica School Volunteers (PSV) recruited and placed in each school (a complete list is attached in the gallery to the right). Students performed talents at intervals to show their thanks.

Ellie Cundiff, principal of Sunset Ridge, honored Lynn Gallo and her Talk It Out Kids program, where children develop social consciousness through Internet radio programs and communication. Gallo, on receiving her award, said to the audience that she is “very blessed to be a volunteer.”

Ruth Mattes, volunteer at , was recognized by several teachers, one who read a note from a student who said, “Ms. Ruth is just as important as the Declaration of Independence!”

Marc Lorenzen, principal at Ortega, added that Ortega is “very blessed by her presence.” 

Rudy Benton, another volunteer at Ortega and a teacher for over 45 years, gave a moving speech after receiving his award and reading a first grader’s comment about his work: “Thank you for helping us become better people.”

“Every Monday I have a chance to change someone’s life,” Benton said. “I always tell my students, ‘I love you, never smoke, go to college whether you like it or not.’ It’s a miracle to volunteer. I encourage others to try it. It’s lovable and wonderful. I’m so glad I got this career,” he said.

Appreciation also went the other way at the awards ceremony. 

Argentina Sinclair, who volunteers in Cory Hanna’s classroom at Sunset Ridge, read a statement of her thanks to the teachers and administration.

“We should honor the teachers who do so much,” she said. “Each teacher here does their best.”

For many of the volunteers, however, joy came through the experience in schools, not just the recognition.

Jean Brink and Joanne Geertsema, volunteers at Sunset Ridge, and Susan Saiz, volunteer at Ortega, said they had fun volunteering and encouraged others to join them. 

“I have so much here,” said Brink. “The children at this school are just fantastic. They give me big hugs when they come back to see me and it’s wonderful.”

Geertsema concurred.

“You feel like you’ve made an impression on kids,” she said.

Laurie Frater, Jefferson Union High School District Board member and reading volunteer, said his volunteer service was the “highlight of his year.”

The awards ended with a special presentation to Bernadette Chursin, who has volunteered with PSV for over ten years. Christine Thorsteinson, executive director of PSV, presented her with her own luxurious office chair as a gift for her service.

Kathryn Slater-Carter, Board member of PSV, said there is continued need for volunteers at Pacifica schools. 

“PSV was started by far-sighted community members, creating a link between the larger community and Pacifica schools,” she said. “We need this link. It makes difference.”

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