2017 Volunteers of the Year
Poway Unified Announces the Selection of District Volunteers of the Year
Rachel Allums, Jenny Burnett, and Cathy Rongey Receive School District Honors
The Poway Unified School District is proud to recognize our volunteers and is pleased to announce that Rachel Allums, Jenny Burnett, and Cathy Rongey have been chosen as Poway Unified District Volunteers of the Year for 2017 from a very distinguished list of school site volunteers of the year.Rachel Allums, Twin Peaks Middle School
Rachel Allums embodies the spirit of giving without expecting anything in return. She has served two terms as PTSA President, Parliamentarian, and Treasurer over the last five years at Twin Peaks Middle School. She has initiated multiple events for both students and parents to feel better connected to the school. She started a back-to-school parent education event so parents have the tools they need to stay informed, and she has hosted Principal chats so parents have direct access to the administrative team; she helped create "School Year’s Eve," a tour and orientation to ease the transition for new and incoming students; she has also been integral to the success of countless events including Character Counts and Volunteer Appreciation breakfasts, Academic Awards Night, Math Making it Real program, SWITCH documentary screening, and Adopt-a-Family gift drive. Rachel serves as a mentor to other PTSA presidents by providing support and sharing her experiences, and she is also the PTSA President at Poway High School, where both of her children will be attending next year. Her son proudly says, "She is a leader and a role model and I want to be like her." Rachel’s legacy of giving will remain long after she leaves Twin Peaks for Poway High.Jenny Burnett, Pomerado Elementary School
Jenny Burnett has a deep passion for students that motivates her to go above and beyond for Pomerado Elementary School. She is the driving force behind Pomerado’s annual ReWear sale, which generates money to buy gift cards for Pomerado families in need. Jenny spends hours sorting, organizing, and selling donated shoes and clothing for the popular event, which is open to the public. Jenny also organizes the Book Exchange, which was dedicated to a lifelong Pomerado volunteer. She works with the school’s Spanish-speaking families and encourages them to attend parenting classes, volunteer in classrooms, and be an active part of the learning community. In addition to being a member of the PTA and School Site Council, Jenny is the yearbook coordinator. She ensures all groups and activities are represented, creating a treasured keepsake for all students. She accomplishes many things behind the scenes, working on events like the Talent Show, Science Night, Cultural Night, and Movie Night. Jenny is described as a "shining example of what a Volunteer of the Year should be."Cathy Rongey, Westview High School
Cathy Rongey and her husband Scott have given thousands of hours of service to the students of PUSD. They have volunteered with Westview High’s Robotics program for many years, attending every weekend meeting and many weekdays during build season. Cathy takes the time to mentor students and often teaches them skills beyond what the advisors can. She manages the Robotics website, serves as a driver, and guides the business administration for the program. She also initiated start-up robotics programs at several local elementary and middle schools. She and the Westview students visit younger students to build up interest and appreciation for STEM learning. There would be no Robotics program at Westview without Cathy. Her colleagues say, "Anything we need, we hear ‘I’ll do it!’ over and over again."2017 Poway Unified Volunteers of the Year
The following is a list of all PUSD 2017 school site Volunteers of the Year. All of these finalists are outstanding candidates, representative of the high level of commitment to our students and schools.
| Name | Site |
|---|---|
| Orlando Cardoso | Adobe Bluffs |
| Noreen Walton | Abraxas |
| Rebecca MacBain | Bernardo Heights |
| Jenette O’Brien | Black Mountain |
| Melanie Jacobson | Canyon View |
| Jamie Stinson | Chaparral |
| Shalom Bowcott | Creekside |
| Val Azcona | Deer Canyon |
| Ana Rubio | Del Norte |
| Sarah Wilson | Del Sur |
| Sarah Mastrianni | Garden Road |
| Erin Tavernier | Highland Ranch |
| Gwen Maunder | Los Penasquitos |
| Naneth Sotic-Jose | Meadowbrook |
| Kris Hernandez | Mesa Verde |
| Beth Case | Midland |
| Katie Burns | Monterey Ridge |
| Xu Perry | Morning Creek |
| Robin Rosenthal | Mt. Carmel |
| Cass Kaminetz | Oak Valley |
| Cristina Gerardi | Painted Rock |
| Jenny Burnett | Pomerado |
| Janet Lettang | Poway High |
| Liz Schwartz | Rancho Bernardo |
| Tara Cicchelli | Rolling Hills |
| Mona hidden | Stone Ranch |
| Rose Meloney | Sundance |
| Dana McPherson | Sunset Hills |
| Julie Trafecanty | Tierra Bonita |
| Kevin Juza | Turtleback |
| Rachel Allums | Twin Peaks |
| Selena Pankretz | Valley |
| Cathy Rongey | Westview |
| Tracy Hotze | Westwood |
| JoAnn Sweidel | Willow Grove |