Residents, businesses will be feted at March 3 “prom” at Britton Middle School

Published in the December 20 – January 2, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

A surprised Craig Weber, the president/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union, learned last week that in three months he will most likely be at a Morgan Hill school gym attending a “high school prom.”

Chamber members and staff, Mayor Steve Tate and Jennifer Tate, and others sauntered into the credit union’s Cochrane Commons branch at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 just as staff were about to lock the doors for the evening’s closing time. The Commonwealth staff lined up in the lobby and laughed nervously and made jokes as Mayor Tate approached Weber with a framed certificate.

“Are you guys involved in the community at all?” Tate asked the credit union’s top executive in an enthusiastic voice.

“A lot,” Weber said a bit of reservation.

“Well, we think you’re involved in the community a lot,” the mayor said. “And we want to present you with being the 2018 Large Business of the Year in the city of Morgan Hill.”

The staff erupted in applause and cheers. The recognition was presented by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. Commonwealth and other honorees will be presented with their moment of community celebration at a high school prom-themed gala that will be held March 3 inside the Britton Middle School gymnasium.

Other recipients surprised in recent weeks by learning they are Celebrate awardees are Brian Sullivan as Man of the Year, his wife Kathy Sullivan as Woman of the Year, Live Oak High School senior Ariana Berumen as Student of the Year, Britton Middle School basketball coach Jim Green as Educator of the Year, Sandra McNeal as Volunteer of the Year, Ponzini Community Towing and Garage as Small Business of the Year (20 employers or less), and the Learning and Loving Education Center as Nonprofit Organization of the Year.

Soon after the Commonwealth staff learned of the award, they joined the Tates and Chamber members and ambassadors in front of the credit union’s lobby sign and arranged themselves for a photo op.

Commonwealth helps many local nonprofit organizations with funding and volunteer help including Cecelia’s Closet events for children, Re-Building Together Silicon Valley, and the Morgan Hill Community Foundation.

“We sure appreciate the recognition,” Weber said. “It’s our pleasure to be involved in the community and we’re thrilled to do it. And we’re very excited about the award, so thank you.”

Please read Morgan Hill Life’s Dec. 6 issue for the story on Brian and Kathy Sullivan as the 2018 Man and Woman of the Year. Brian is involved in many organizations and Kathy has helped to preserve local history as president of the Morgan Hill Historical Society’s board of directors.

Student of the Year

Berumen was nominated by her academic counselor Arron Thomas at Live Oak. She is ranked 10th in her class with a 4.34 GPA. She has been involved in educational community-building through the Art Your Heart Out event, the George Flores Conference, and the Future Business Leaders of America. She has served as Associated Student Body vice president and president of MEChA.

“One of the characteristics that I admire about Ariana is how much her confidence has grown since I have met her,” Thomas said in a letter with the nomination form. “Ariana has a real interest in trying to unify her peers in attempting to better the campus environment.”

Educator of the Year

Green was nominated by Fawn Myers, Morgan Hill Unified School District’s Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources.

“He is well known across the community and across the generations in Morgan Hill,” Myers wrote about Green on her form. “He is a tremendous educator in Morgan Hill Unified for 39 years, teaching (physical education), ASB Leadership, and taking on various other roles including athletic coaching.”

Green also founded the South County Basketball Association, helping thousands of young people build their character through sports over the years.

Volunteer of the Year

Sandra McNeal was chosen as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year for her work on the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Rock the Mock events where high school students learn skills in job interviews, resume writing, dressing for success and other career skills.

John Horner, president and CEO of the Chamber, said her efforts spearheading the Rock the Mock program took it from a highly informal organization to a well-documented series of steps taking place throughout the year so the event days themselves operate efficiently and effectively.

“Her professionalism, good humor and passion for lifting students up took Rock the Mock to a higher level,” he said.

Small Business of the Year

Resident Jayne Perryman was one of several nominators for Ponzini Community Garage and Towing as Small Business of the Year. She has been a customer of the garage since 1979 and recalls more than a few times when her Ford Pinto broke down and was towed to the Madrone-based auto mechanics to get fixed.

“I can remember my mom stuck on the highway with a broken truck and horses in the trailer behind the truck,” Perryman wrote in her nomination form. “Out would come two tow trucks to get us out of what can be a very stressful situation.”

Nonprofit of the Year

Morgan Hill resident Barbara Palmer nominated the Learn and Loving Education Center for the Nonprofit Organization of the Year award because of its impact on helping more than 3,000 South Valley women and thousands of immigrant children develop the English language and other skills they need to succeed in life and jobs. The center is led by Christa Hanson, its administrative director. It serves 150 immigrant women from several countries who attend classes five days a week.

“While the women are attending classes, they have the opportunity to bring their preschool children to classes to prepare them for their future kindergarten experience,” Palmer wrote in her nomination form. “This is not a baby-sitting time but a true classroom learning time where children can learn to socialize and learn academic skills.