PUSD Selects Outstanding Volunteers for 2004-2005

Robert Ferguson and Dana Feuling,
Black Mountain Middle School
Betty Keenan, Shoal Creek Elementary School
Dr. Jeff Pearson, Rancho Bernardo High School
Kevin Young, Canyon View Elementary School

The Poway Unified School District is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who donate countless hours to the children of PUSD. Each school has the opportunity to nominate a candidate as an outstanding volunteer. The following volunteers were chosen as district volunteers and will be recognized by the Poway Unified School District Board of Education at the next Board meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 27, 2005.

Robert Ferguson and Dana Feuling, Black Mountain Middle School

The Science Olympiad Team at Black Mountain Middle School continues to be a San Diego County and California powerhouse. Black Mountain Middle School finished in the top three schools in San Diego County for the last six years, and in the top five schools in California for the past three years. This year the Black Mountain Middle School Science Olympiad Team finished first in San Diego County and second in the State.

The planning, organization, and training for this event by parent volunteers and students extends throughout the school year. Black Mountain has been able to maintain this high level of performance because of the many volunteer parents who serve as coaches to the students. As the two head coaches, Rob Ferguson and Dana Feuling are responsible for recruiting and training over 30 parent coaches each year. To accomplish this task, they spend countless hours meeting with parents, arranging for appropriate facilities, purchasing the necessary materials, and organizing practice times. Rob and Dana’s commitment to the students of Black Mountain and to the complexities and wonder of science has given hundreds of Black Mountain students valuable skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork that will help them throughout their journey in the world of academics and in their future careers.

Betty Keenan, Shoal Creek Elementary School

Every Thursday for the past three years Shoal Creek Elementary School students and parent volunteers have found Mrs. Keenan helping in the Library Resource Center. This great-grandmother unselfishly gives her free time to see that the library is ready for everyone who wants to use it. She is responsible for placing all the Wednesday and Thursday checked-in books in order so that other volunteers will find it easier to shelve the books. She is also available to do other tasks given to her, always showing a great deal of patience and accuracy. This conscientious volunteer never complains, even though with her age has come many aches and pains. Mrs. Keenan is third grade student Justin Nunez’s great- grandmother. She is 90 years old.

Shoal Creek is honored to have someone of her generation spend her time at school.

Dr. Jeff Pearson, Rancho Bernardo High School

For the past 12 years, Dr. Pearson has served as the Rancho Bernardo High School Head Team Physician, where his commitment and dedication reach more than 1,000 athletes and 100 coaches each year. Dr. Pearson has provided physician coverage at no cost for all home wrestling meets and football games, making Rancho Bernardo High School the only school in the county to provide this service to its student athletes. He also attends many away games and tournaments. Dr. Pearson is willing to see injured athletes anywhere and at any time, including at his office, in his home, in the training room, after school, before school, and on weekends. He has provided invaluable support, training, and consultation to Rancho Bernardo High School’s sports trainer. His volunteer time as coordinator of RB High’s annual Sports Physical Night has helped raise over $60,000 ($5,000 each year) for the Rancho Bernardo High School Athletic Training Program, all of which goes directly back to the athletes for more supplies and better equipment.

Kevin Young, Canyon View Elementary School

Kevin Young’s message, “Dads need to spend quality time with their kids,” is not only benefiting his children, but all the children of Canyon View Elementary School. Kevin has been an active volunteer at Canyon View for several years. He was often the only dad at PTA meetings and is the leader of his daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. He volunteers in his children’s classes and in the SOAR (Stop Over And Read) program. He has also worked with UCSD to get computers and cubicle walls for Canyon View’s computer lab.

Two years ago Kevin was asked to start a Dads’ Club at Canyon View. Kevin’s vision and passion have changed the entire makeup of volunteers at Canyon View. Dads are coming to school earlier and staying later at school events and are volunteering in larger numbers in the classrooms. Mr. Young has convinced the dads that it is cool, fun, and most importantly, meaningful and necessary for them to volunteer at Canyon View.

Mr. Young has proclaimed the third week of each month as the “Eat lunch with Dads” week. The Dads’ Club begins the year by handing out treats on Walk to School Day. They have sponsored Gulls, Padres, and movie nights and a Sock Hop. Throughout the year, dads can be seen in increasing numbers at the school. Now it is common to hear, “How about the Dads’ Club?” when help is needed. Mr. Young has tapped into a completely new group of individuals with diverse skills and abilities to support Canyon View Elementary School.