Gavilan Community College handed out its annual 2003 Spirit
Awards, honoring volunteers and service, to three Morgan Hill
“institutions” at the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast
Thursday.
Gavilan Community College handed out its annual 2003 Spirit Awards, honoring volunteers and service, to three Morgan Hill “institutions” at the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday.
The individual award went to Karen Crane, who practically single-handed has taught Morgan Hill school children the country’s patriotic songs. BookSmart, the 8-year-old downtown bookstore that makes a habit of community action, received the business award.The final award, for a nonprofit group, went to Leadership Morgan Hill.
Laura Perry, president of the Gavilan College board of trustees, and Gavilan College president Steve Kinsella presented the awards; both are Morgan Hill residents.
The citation nominating Crane detailing her many efforts in the community to celebrate the country’s heritage including Memorial Day ceremonies, the opening of the community center, The Relay for Life, the Sept. 11 Patriot’s Day and, always, the Patriotic Sing held on July 3. The sing, part of the annual Fourth of July celebration sponsored by Independence Day Inc., is held every year; her 50 or more school children also sing on a parade float and before the July 4 fireworks.
“She is an inspiration to the audience and instills a sense of patriotism in children,” Kinsella. He noted that Crane is also a Boy Scout leader and coordinates the clean-up efforts of Scouts at Morgan Hill events.
Crane praised others after thanking Gavilan for the award.
“Behind me are the parents, IDI and the Morgan Hill School District,” she said. “And the private schools of our community always open their doors to patriotic songs.”
Cinda Meister accepted the business award for BookSmart. Meister and her husband, Brad Jones, have owned and operated the successful store for almost eight years and, Kinsella said, are responsible for the Friday Night Music Series, serve on the Charter School board of directors, the Downtown Association, City of Morgan Hill Visioning, started the Britton Middle School reading program, support the Safe Halloween and numerous nonprofit endeavors.
The Leadership Morgan Hill non-profit award was accepted by Sherry Hemingway, who has led the organization during the past year into a new solvency and level of public recognition. LMH was founded under the Chamber of Commerce umbrella and provides its students with insights into the political, economic and governmental aspects of the community and the skills to lead in the community as well. The local branch has been training the public for almost 10 years.
“Their 130 graduates have shown a high level of community spirit,” Kinsella said.
“I want to reflect some of the light back to the people who have helped us along the way,” Hemingway said. She gave credit to Gavilan whose teachers explain ethics and facilitate retreats for each class. She praised Lorraine Welk and Marty Johnson, both Gavilan administrators, as mainstays almost since the beginning.
The Leadership Morgan Hill Class of 2004 is forming. Details: 779-9444 or www.morganhill.org
