GALT, CA (MPG) - Galt Community of Character Coalition selected four elementary school staff and a high school student as the honorees for its 2024 Responsibility Award. It also gave the Pride in Community Award to two volunteers who maintain the community garden.

In its mission to promote various community values, the coalition selects individuals and groups to honor for exemplifying traits like compassion and integrity.

The coalition gave one Responsibility Award to Galt High School junior Alyson Medina Rivera, who was nominated by social science teacher Rosella Rowlison.

Coalition member Mari Martinez read the nomination statement at the Galt Joint Union High School District’s Nov. 21 meeting, noting that Medina is the 32nd student from the high school district to get a character award. Sixteen district staff have also been recognized.

“(Medina) has maintained a 4.0 grade point average in her first two years of high school. Alyson has more A+ letter grades in her first two years of high school than her teacher has ever seen before in a student’s grade report,” Martinez read, noting that Medina is in the AVID class and “shows responsibility in asking questions if she needs clarification on assignments.”

The statement continued that Medina took responsibility by learning English when her family moved to California from Mexico. The student now takes advanced English and Spanish classes.

Medina also helps her mother cook and clean at home. She plans to attend a four-year college and major in architecture or criminology.

The coalition also applauded the responsible actions of four office staff members at Marengo Ranch Elementary School: Principal’s Secretary Maria Landa, Social Worker Kym Little, Bilingual Office Assistant Aurelia Magana and Attendance Secretary Diane Smith.

Nominated by Marengo Ranch Principal Jennifer Porter, the four received their awards at the Galt Joint Union Elementary School board’s Nov. 20 meeting. Martinez read Porter’s nomination statement.

“Marengo Ranch Elementary School is fortunate to have a most remarkable and dedicated staff in the front office who greet our families and meet the needs of our students each and every day,” the statement read, calling the four staff members “dependable and trustworthy.”

The statement said that, since the district went paperless this year, the four have helped families navigate the new system on top of their normal duties.

In her statement, Porter said that “she would like each one (of the awardees) to know that she feels blessed and deeply grateful to be working with you.”

The coalition recognized Rod and Bronson Simunek for their volunteer work at the Barbara Payne Community Garden, presenting them with certificates at the Galt City Council meeting on Nov. 19.

“If you take a walk past Harvey Park, on Third Street, you will see an oasis behind a fence. What was once an abandoned lot is now a beautiful community garden. The dream of former Mayor Barbara Payne has come to fruition, due in large part to the efforts of two people,” Martinez said of the Simuneks, who were nominated by Pam Carpenter, Carolyn Lara and the community garden users.

Rod Simunek oversees the structural maintenance of the garden; last year, he installed an irrigation system there, and he helps to fix issues with garden boxes.

Martinez described Bronson Simunek as “the artist,” beautifying the space.

“You will see a teepee and whimsical scarecrows scattered throughout the garden, alongside beautiful flowers and trees bursting with fruit throughout the year, all touched by her hand,” Martinez said.

The couple also volunteers with the Sunshine Food Pantry to deliver food to older adults. Martinez said all of their actions exemplify the trait of pride in community.