Top citizen selections
for 2002 made

The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced its selection for youth, educator and citizen of the year. The following essays about the selectees are written by people who know them well.

Andrew Nelson: Youth of the Year 2002 By Dale Hanson

Andrew grew up in Ojai. He lives with his parents and younger brother, Evan. He is a top-notch student at Nordhoff High School and serves as vice president of the senior class. Andrew is also in the Leadership Class, which plans school activities and promotes unity and school spirit.
Additionally, he is a member of the board of directors for the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation where he serves as a role model for other youth. He is active on the public relations committee, and is responsible for the success of many of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation musical events.
He is an actor and is seen frequently in local plays. He loves to play chess and is a proficient sailor. Andrew lived for one year with his family off the coast of Mexico on a 42-foot trimaran.
Andrew has applied to California Polytechnic State University as a business major. Always uplifting, he is an inspiration to other youth.

Denise Thomas: Educator of the Year 2002 By Caryn Bosson

Ojai Educator of the Year for 2003, Denise Thomas, was nominated for her work at Matilija Junior High School and for her extra effort, both in the classroom and out, to be sure that youth in Ojai know and feel they are supported, accepted and important community members.
In 1995, amid a climate of racial tension and violence among local teenagers, Denise initiated the ACES program with a conflict resolution and diversity curriculum, that is still in place today. According to Denise, her proudest achievement is starting the Peer Mediation program at Matilija during that same time, which gives students an opportunity for a safe and confidential way of solving disputes on campus. Peer Mediation has now spread to every other school in the Ojai Unified School District.
In addition to teaching ACES and leading the Matilija Peer Mediators, Denise teaches health, coordinates the AVID program, which improves student chances of being college-bound, and works with the school's Peer Tobacco Mentors. Outside of school, Denise is serving her fourth year as a board member of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, where she has made her mark by putting on valleywide Student Diversity Days.
Denise, who reported herself "flabbergasted" at the award, explained her commitment to the kinds of programs she has spearheaded by saying, "The reason they are my passion is that if students don't feel safe on the school campus, they can't learn."

Larry Hartmann: Citizen of the Year By Marlene Spencer

Like most residents in the Ojai Valley, I knew Larry Hartmann for many years; however, I never really met him until he was serving as a member on the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council. He was still employed at the time, as the administrator at the Meiners Oaks Elementary School. I really didn't have the opportunity to interact with him as much because he was always on the run doing his civic duties and his job and doing both very well.
Soon after his RSVP term ended he was asked to become a member of the Help of Ojai board. What an asset he has been! Larry will begin his second year serving as board president and it will also be his sixth and final year as a board member. Larry has been a real "hands-on" leader, not only has he become knowledgeable about all the programs Help of Ojai sponsors, but he has led the way in such projects as purchasing the thrift store, preparing for sale a mobile home given to Help, arranging for parking lot resurfacing and striping, encourage individuals to bring their services to Little House, supporting the various activities at the center, praising volunteers for contribution of time and talent shared with Help of Ojai by being a member of the RSVP and assisting in the implementation of Help's many programs and services.
In addition to all that he has been doing for Help of Ojai, Larry took the training and now teaches 55 Alive Classes and is one of two county representatives serving with the California Senior Legislature. As a member of CSL, Larry periodically joins other senior senators and representatives in Sacramento to prioritize senior needs and to determine the top 10 to present to state representatives.
Larry knows the benefit of "volunteering," not only for others, but for himself as well. To provide meals for a shut-in, transportation for someone unable to drive, respite for a caregiver, support for someone in crisis, assures independence, brings relief and comfort to those served, for Larry Hartmann, a warm fuzzy feeling of personal satisfaction.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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