GALT, CA (MPG) - Two Galt residents were recently presented with the Galt Community of Character Coalition’s 2024 Respect Award.

The recognitions went to Janis Barsetti Gray, a winery owner and the Galt Area Historical Society president, and second-grade teacher Susan Hugues.

The coalition gives awards throughout the year honoring various virtues selected by the community at the organization’s founding.

“We’ve given over 200 character awards for just raising up people who have really proven to be examples in our community of who we should be and how we should conduct our lives and what our community should be like,” member Leesa Klotz said at the Aug. 21 Galt Joint Union Elementary School District meeting, as she presented Hugues’ award.

A Vernon E. Greer Elementary School second-grade teacher, Hugues was nominated by the Cal-Waste Recovery Systems Recycle Education Team and by Hugues’ 22 students.

“As visitors in Mrs. Hugues' second-grade class, we have witnessed an amazing example of ‘walking the talk’ when it comes to respect for others,” said Klotz, who serves as Cal-Waste’s education coordinator. “Every direction, question or correction Mrs. Hugues communicates to her students is always delivered with respect. Showing respect sets the tone for how we treat each other and in Mrs. Hugues’ case, sets the tone for the classroom.”

Klotz said Cal-Waste’s education team has used aspects of Hugues’ leadership style to improve its own work.

Klotz read students’ praise of Hugues.

“Our teacher Mrs. Hugues shows us with her actions how to treat people with kindness, courtesy and dignity, no matter what age you might be,” Klotz read. 

The students said Hugues acknowledges their value while never judging or discriminating against them.

Along with a certificate from the coalition, Hugues received 22 cards from her students.

“I just want to say thank you. I love being part of the Galt community and Galt really has created this element of respect throughout their schools as we focus on students’ strengths and their talents,” Hugues said. “And I’ve been teaching for 30 years now and I can’t tell you what I learn from my students as they share their strengths and talents with me each and every day.”

Barsetti Gray received her recognition at the Aug. 20 Galt City Council meeting. The Barsetti Vineyards owner was nominated by Galt Sunrise Rotary’s Mark King. 

Reading from the nomination narrative for Barsetti Gray, coalition member Ralph Cortez called her a “true asset to the Galt community for the multitude of activities she has led and participated in to benefit and energize our community over the years.”

Also commending her service with the historical society, the narrative read, “Years of friendship with Janis brings to mind her countless examples of warmth and respectful interactions with others. Janis is always kind, considerate and helpful in the most respectful way.” 

“Showing respect to others, to the community and for the history of our Great American Little Town are qualities Janis consistently demonstrates,” the narrative read.

Said Galt Mayor Paul Sandhu, after the presentation, “She is doing a lot of things for the community. Congratulations, Janis.”