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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Four local Rotary Clubs came together Tuesday, May 8 to honor educators with the Character Education Award, and Pacific High School teacher CJ Eastwood took home the trophy.
“There is a literal trophy,” Rotary President and SBCUSD director Chris Tickell said. “It’s a very large, perpetual trophy that the winner’s school gets to display until next year’s Character Education Awards luncheon.”
Local Rotary clubs established the Character Education Award in 1991 to honor educators whose teaching best exemplifies the virtues of character education in the classroom. The Rotary Club of San Bernardino awards the top finalist a $2,000 honorarium and recognition on the perpetual trophy.
Pacific High Principal Dr. Natalie Raymundo said Character Education winner CJ Eastwood “creates a safe and supportive learning community that encourages students to be involved in the community. Overall, (CJ’s) biggest contribution to character education is helping students understand the impact of their words, actions, and inactions on the school and broader community.”
The Character Education finalists were Benjamin Cervantes, Del Vallejo Middle School; Cara Nelson, Curtis Middle School; and Rebecca Robles, Muscoy Elementary School. Finalists each receive a plaque and a $250 honorarium.
The following San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) educators were also nominated for a 2018 Character Education Award:Catherine Cowles, Kendall Elementary School; Eunice Gutierrez, Gomez Elementary School; and Paul Prado, Holcomb Elementary School.
The Character Education Award luncheon is sponsored by San Bernardino Rotary Club, San Bernardino Rotary Club Crossroads-Loma Linda, San Bernardino Rotary Club North, and San Bernardino Rotary Club Sunset.
