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Makayla Lawton, a 4th grader at Oak Street Elementary School, has earned many awards at her school, including perfect attendance, citizenship and student of the month. She participates in the gifted and talented program and is a high honors student. Makayla volunteers her spare time to tutor and baby-sit and takes part in after school programs like campus beautification and safety patrol. She sings in her church choir and plays basketball and baseball.
Berta Muñoz, a 6th grader at Ramona Elementary School, is an English Language Learner who has become an honor roll student. As a classroom representative of student council the past two years, Berta is a positive role model for her classmates. In addition to her duties as a student council member, Berta works in the school store, tutors those new to the country in English and takes dance classes.
Kiki Salazar, a 12th grader at La Mirada High School, is an accomplished athlete, student and community member. She has received honors such as the CIF Athlete of the Week, 2007 Suburban League Volleyball MVP and 1st Team Suburban All-League in soccer. In school, Kiki maintains a high GPA and was honored as Matador of the Month her sophomore year. As a Positive Alternative Community Service Member, Kiki organizes many outreach programs, including speaking to middle school students about staying drug free.
Delia Castillo, a 6th, 7th and 8th grade teacher at Chester W. Nimitz Middle School, works to instill a love of music and the arts in her students. Through her work, she helps students get accepted into schools like Hollywood High and the Los Angeles School of Arts. She coordinates the marching band, which performs at the City of Bell Parade, and she led the school flag team to a second place finish in the state championships
Colleen Coco, a physical education teacher at Adams Middle School, created a special program at her school call The Fitness Academy. This class teaches kids to focus on nutrition and the importance of exercise while also emphasizing the benefit of a healthy mind. As the head of the Adams Middle School 100 Mile Club, Colleen meets with students before school hours and encourages them to collectively run 100 miles in one school year. The program had such success in its first year it expanded to other schools in the district!
Mary Simun, a biology teacher at Redondo Union High School, gets her students involved in class through interactive labs, nature walks and energetic lectures. As a volunteer and fundraiser for the Redondo Beach Public Library and a sponsor of the Quick-Science club, Stitches (a knitting-club), Sea-Lab and Ecology Club, Mary dedicates her spare time to her students and the community. On Earth Day, Mary was recognized as the Local Environmental Hero because of her commitment to improving Redondo Beach and its surrounding communities.
The honorees were invited to the home game on November 18 where the Lakers took on the Chicago Bulls. They were honored during a halftime presentation where the recipients received a plaque and a $50 gift certificate to Staples. The nominations for the November Student and Teacher of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.
