Six champions of public education - representing Fontana Unified, Apple Valley Unified, Ontario-Montclair and San Bernardino City Unified school districts, as well as the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program (CRY-ROP) - will be awarded at the 15th annual San Bernardino County Educational Medal of Honor awards dinner on April 24th.

Each year, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools along with the San Bernardino County School Boards Association and County Communicators Network, recognizes individuals and groups who give outstanding service and support to public education with the San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor.  This year, Christine Larissa, a parent volunteer at Fontana Unified School District's Canyon Crest Elementary School, is being honored in the category of Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer.

With a family atmosphere at Canyon Crest Elementary School, Christine Larizza fits in more like a parent than a parent volunteer. She spends nearly every day at the Fontana Unified school, helping teachers in the classroom or providing support wherever she’s needed.  “Christine not only volunteers in her own child’s class, but she donates many hours helping other teachers to improve and enhance their classes as well,” wrote kindergarten teacher Darla Samudio in the nomination of Larizza.

Larizza’s son is a first-grader at Canyon Crest, but she said she enjoys helping all children. Teachers have her work one-on-one with children for academic support, organize their classrooms, grade papers or even just tidy up.  “She quietly does whatever is needed by the teacher and is so grateful to be doing her job as a parent volunteer,” wrote Principal Sharon Lovell.

Winners of the other five categories are:  Volunteer in Action/Service Group, Apple Valley Rotary Club, Apple Valley Unified School District; Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise, Sean Auden, manager of the Daryl’s Pet Store, CRY-ROP; Partners in Education/Corporation, DriveTime Finance Corporation, Ontario-Montclair School District; Excellence in Education/Education Professional, Kim Allen, Teacher, San Bernardino City Unified School District; and Excellence in Education/Student Alumni, Jerry Lewis, U.S. Congressman, San Bernardino City Unified School District.

“We are pleased in San Bernardino County to have so many supporters of public education who give their time and resources,” County Superintendent Herbert Fischer said.  “We applaud our recipients for the invaluable role they play in our schools.”