December 16, 2002
Awards and Honors
Three from UCSC honored by United Way
A UCSC undergraduate and two staff members were recently honored by the
United Way of Santa Cruz County for their community service.
Undergraduate Deutron Kebebew joined Angie Christmann,
coordinator of student programs and events at Cowell College, and Ellen
Moir, executive director of the UCSC
New Teacher Center, in being named 2002 Year 8 Community Heroes as
part of the United
Way's Community Assessment Project (CAP).
Each year, CAP issues a "community report card" that assesses
the state of the local economy, health care services, educational opportunities,
the natural environment, public safety, and the social environment. In
addition, individuals are named community heroes in recognition of their
service in improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz County by working
toward community goals the organization establishes each year. For 2002,
18 individuals were honored for their work toward 17 goals.
Kebebew and Moir were honored for service in the field of education.
Kebebew was recognized for his work toward the goal of increasing the
number of county students who graduate from high school "job ready"
or prepared for higher education. Kebebew was cited for his work to enhance
the opportunities for current and former foster youth in Santa Cruz County.
He serves as board president of California
Youth Connection, an advocacy organization that promotes youth leadership,
and he has supported transitional housing programs. At UCSC, he has been
a leader of the Page and
Eloise Smith Scholastic Society, which provides scholarships to foster
youth.
Moir was honored for her work toward the goal of helping elementary and
middle school students "meet or exceed the average statewide test
scores for academic success." The New Teacher Center was established
in 1998 under Moir's leadership to ensure better teaching, higher teacher
retention rates, and increased student achievement. As director, Moir
facilitates partnerships between UCSC and the County Office of Education,
and she has helped expand the center's reach into the greater Monterey
Bay Area, Santa Clara Valley, and beyond.
Christmann was honored for her role as a community activist in the environmental
field and her contributions toward CAP's goal to increase environmental
stewardship in Santa Cruz County. As a volunteer with the Santa
Cruz County Land Trust, Christmann provides "insights and encouragement"
to the staff and board, takes notes, runs errands in her fabulous '61
pickup truck, and promotes land conservation to the general public.
The community hero awards were established seven years ago when the Santa Cruz Sentinel offered to sponsor an annual contest to identify people who are working toward improving life in Santa Cruz County. The recipients were announced at a press conference on November 18.
