Success & Service: Angels in Adoption honors CSUS counselor

Bee Staff Reports

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

Wanda Bonnell, coordinator of the California State University, Stanislaus, Promise Scholars Program for former foster students, has been selected as a 2009 "Angel in Adoption" for her advocacy and efforts on behalf of emancipated foster youth.

The recipients, 190 in all, 11 of them from California, will be honored Wednesday at a reception in Washington, D.C.

The Angels in Adoption program is the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's signature public awareness campaign to honor the work of people who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans. Bonnell has been an Equal Opportunity Program academic counselor at CSUS since 1993. She spearheaded development of the Promise Scholars Program at CSUS in 2004 to provide academic, financial and outreach services to former foster youth from the region.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

A Modesto girl's picture was one of 200 nationwide chosen by the National Down Syndrome Society to be shown Saturday at Times Square in New York. Sofia Lopez, 4, is the daughter of Martha and Nicholas Lopez. Her father is a professional photographer and took the picture of Sofia last fall. It was one of more than 25,000 submitted nationally. The Lopezes flew to New York on Friday night and were to participate in the Buddy Walk on Saturday; Sofia stayed home because of the cross-country flight.

Sierra Vista Child & Family Services recently presented its Champions for Children Awards. The honors and the recipients were:

Community Supporter of the Year — Stanislaus Medical Society Alliance for its longtime support of many charities;

Sponsor of the Year — Pohl & Holmes, a Hughson almond harvesting company, for continuous sponsorship of Sierra Vista's golf tournament since its inception 17 years ago.

Donors of the Year — Kent Kushar and Bob Lubeck for outstanding support.

Volunteer of the Year — Ida Bowers, who helped found The Bridge program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Bowers continues to be involved in the program.

Angels of the Year — Amy and Juan Uribe, whose adopted son Gary spoke about his parents.

Sierra Vista, a nonprofit operating in the valley since 1972, provides services to assist children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, emotional problems and behavioral difficulties. Adult programs are offered in effective parenting, domestic violence, anger management and child abuse counseling/prevention.

The city of Escalon's sole code enforcement officer received the Code Enforcement of the Year award at the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers' 2009 annual seminar this month in San Diego. Kathryn Kirkbride has worked as a code enforcement officer for the Escalon Police Department for three years. The association each year recognizes a member who demonstrates support and dedication to the profession and to making communities safer for residents.

Emanuel Medical Center has hired its first medical director for infection control. Alexander Evens will assist other doctors in diagnosing difficult cases. Evens received a bachelor's degree in 2000 from the University of California at San Diego and earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree in 2004 from Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

California State University, Stanislaus, student Rachel Grider is one of the winners of the William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees Award for Outstanding Achievement, presented to one student at each of the 23 CSU campuses. The award includes a $3,000 scholarship. The students were cited for their determination in overcoming personal hardships, demonstrating financial need, superior academic performance, exemplary community service and significant personal achievements. Grider has not let her blindness stop her from pursuing a music career. She performed the lead singing role of Pamina in last year's "Magic Flute" at Modesto's Gallo Center for the Arts. A junior music major with a double concentration in vocal performance and music composition, Grider is involved in a number of community service activities in Modesto. In addition to involvement in her church, Grider volunteers at the Modesto Gospel Mission and as a receptionist with the Visually Impaired Persons Support Center. She participates in the Stanislaus Society for the Handicapped winter ski program.

Graduations:

Dave Shrock of Modesto earned a doctorate in sports management from the Sports Academy, based in Daphne, Ala.

Derek Reed of Modesto and Russell Solansky of Oakdale, from the California Highway Patrol cadet training. Reed, a 2002 graduate of Johansen High School, has been assigned to the CHP's Marin area office. Solansky, a 2003 graduate of Oakdale High School, is working out of the San Jose office.

Submit news of awards and achievements for this column to local@modbee.com.