San Benito High School brought its employees together during the last week of school in early June to honor the successes and accomplishments of faculty and staff members.
"The event is a perfect example of why we do what we do in education, 'give, so that others may succeed,'" said Shawn Tennenbaum, the district's human resources director. "For decades, the event is the last time the entire staff has the opportunity to get together and celebrate a successful year, while also honoring colleagues who have reached longevity milestones, had perfect attendance, or been selected as the employee of the year. Each year, I look forward to the event and try to create an atmosphere for our staff that celebrates their time and effort."
John Frusetta, a technician in the information technology department, was selected as classified employee of the year, while automotive teacher Tom Agan was selected as certificated employee of the year. The entire San Benito High School staff voted on the awards.
Rolando Victory and Robin Brown were recently selected as the district's 2014-15 Unsung Heroes in the San Benito High School District. The award was created to honor employees who display an outstanding work ethic, positive attitude, and support the mission of the school district on a daily basis, yet may not receive the accolades of others.
Victory, a custodian, is a longtime employee of the district whom Tennenbaum said "exemplifies all that it means to be a Baler: He is supportive, hard working, and always has a smile on his face.
Brown, a guidance technician, has spent more than 30 years in the district "and is one of the hardest working individuals in the organization." Tennenbaum said. "She is a wealth of knowledge that is regularly called upon by her colleagues to problem solve and find solutions within Student Services."
SBHS District Superintendent John Perales said Brown "regularly goes above and beyond for our students and staff. She is recognized as the type of person that will do whatever it takes to help our students and get the job done."
The district also honored employees who had perfect attendance throughout the year, recognized employees who were retiring and gave gifts of appreciation to employees celebrating work anniversaries — from those who have been with the district for five years to those who were celebrating 35 years with the district, including Agan. Transportation driver Leila Swanson, one of the retiring employees, was presented with a certificate from the California Highway Patrol to honor her accident-free driving record over her multi-decade career.
Dozens of raffle prizes donated by local businesses were given away and employees enjoyed a lunch of chicken and tri tip, prepared by volunteers from the Hollister Future Farmers of America.
