Forty-four individuals and organizations were nominated for the 15th annual San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor in recognition of their contributions to public education in school districts throughout San Bernardino County.

Nominations for Education Medal of Honor were accepted in six categories: Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer, Volunteer in Action/Service Group, Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise, Partners in Education/Corporation, Excellence in Education/Education Professional, and Excellence in Education/Student Alumni.

The following nominees are from the Fontana Unified School District:

• Joy Kanemitsu, Teacher, Oak Park Elementary, Excellence in Education/Education Professional
• Christine Larizza, Parent Volunteer, Canyon Crest Elementary School, Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
• Melba Rey, Student of the Month Coordinator for the Exchange Club of Fontana, Birch High School, Volunteer in Action/Service Group
• Philip Rue, Educator, Excellence in Education/Education Professional
• James Travis, Area Marketing Director, Kaiser Permanente, Fontana High School, Partners in Education/Corporation
• Shawn White, Parent Volunteer, Kaiser High School, Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
• Penny Wilkerson, Parent Volunteer, A.B. Miller High School, Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
• Boys & Girls Club of Fontana, Volunteer in Action/Service Group

The Education Medal of Honor program is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the San Bernardino County School Boards Association and the County Communicators Network. Frick, Frick & Jette Architects, Inc. in Victorville and J&M Trophies in Redlands are sponsors.  Members of the California Inland Empire Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America served as an independent judging panel.

Winners of the Education Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Award will be recognized at a banquet on April 24 at the Etiwanda Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga.