With a servant's heart, Kim Chapman frequently jumps right into projects that help others and her community.
And the community has noticed. The community activist was honored by the Ceres Chamber of Commerce with its annual Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement award on Jan. 31. Last week the Courier reported that Walt Hanline, superintendent of the Ceres Unified School District, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The confusion was due, in part, to the fact that the Chamber parted with tradition and doled out two "Citizen of the Year" awards this year, one given to Hanline.
Lisa Mantarro Moore nominated Chapman as someone who "epitomizes Ceres and how people feel about one another." Moore said Chapman has spent lots of personal energy committed to making other people's lives better and continues to encourage individuals to strive for success.
Chapman helps to support Ceres High School programs of which her children are involved. She has successfully led the Sober Grad Committee and participates with Booster Club benefiting all CHS athletes.
She also regularly volunteers at the high school to help lower student anxiety when taking exams. Chapman also works as a parent advocate for special education students who otherwise may lack support at home. Virginia Parks School and Mae Hensley Junior High School have also benefitted from her volunteer efforts.
Friends and community members observed how Kim dealt with her personal tragedy of losing husband, Ceres Police Commander John Chapman to cancer, with inner strength. That same strength and support was displayed when the Ceres Police Department family was plunged into grief by the Jan. 9, 2005 murder of Sgt. Howard Stevenson and shooting of officer Sam Ryno.
"Kim immediately identified the needs and began to identify the ways in which our officers' families needed support and the resources necessary to provide them with such," said Moore. "Kim Chapman immersed herself in the tragedy, ignoring her own losses, to help those who needed it most. She stood as an example for others in our community to follow. She extended her support to the families of the entire Department who were also grieving and hurt."
At the dinner, Greg Gaudio was named the 2008 Chamber "Volunteer of the Year." Greg's commitment to the youth has been described by others as outstanding. He has been volunteer soccer head coach from Ceres Youth Soccer to Gustine High School to competitive soccer since 1985 to the present. Greg has been a guidance counselor to the foster children since 1999. He is also a coordinator to Careers and Manufacturing Program for local high schools.
Guadio was a Ceres Chamber Board member between 1998 and 2000.
Hanline, 57, was nominated by two members of the School Board, Teresa Guerrero and Eric Ingwerson and chosen by a pool of past recipients. He was tapped for his commitment to the Ceres community evident through the many contributions he has made to the education of Ceres children and to the Ceres community.
Hanline served as a volunteer on both the Measure U and Measure J campaign committees to build and refurbish school facilities. In 2004 Hanline co-founded CUSD Foundation to supplement resources to support educational programs and events in Ceres schools. He also served as president of the Ceres Chamber of Commerce in 2005, heading up the Chamber's annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
At the Ceres American Legion Hall affair, the Chamber of Commerce installed new Chamber officers. Bertie Plante assumed the Chamber's chair from Alan Love. Shane Parson is now chair elect while Robert Yockey was installed as chief financial officer/treasurer. New board members are Alan Love and Mary Lopez. Ambassadors are Elaine Marlett, Julia Fatheere, Tim Bird, Tracy Maciel and Rachelle Silvia. Education chair is Jay Simmonds and Pam Agnew is in charge of Special Events.
And the community has noticed. The community activist was honored by the Ceres Chamber of Commerce with its annual Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement award on Jan. 31. Last week the Courier reported that Walt Hanline, superintendent of the Ceres Unified School District, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The confusion was due, in part, to the fact that the Chamber parted with tradition and doled out two "Citizen of the Year" awards this year, one given to Hanline.
Lisa Mantarro Moore nominated Chapman as someone who "epitomizes Ceres and how people feel about one another." Moore said Chapman has spent lots of personal energy committed to making other people's lives better and continues to encourage individuals to strive for success.
Chapman helps to support Ceres High School programs of which her children are involved. She has successfully led the Sober Grad Committee and participates with Booster Club benefiting all CHS athletes.
She also regularly volunteers at the high school to help lower student anxiety when taking exams. Chapman also works as a parent advocate for special education students who otherwise may lack support at home. Virginia Parks School and Mae Hensley Junior High School have also benefitted from her volunteer efforts.
Friends and community members observed how Kim dealt with her personal tragedy of losing husband, Ceres Police Commander John Chapman to cancer, with inner strength. That same strength and support was displayed when the Ceres Police Department family was plunged into grief by the Jan. 9, 2005 murder of Sgt. Howard Stevenson and shooting of officer Sam Ryno.
"Kim immediately identified the needs and began to identify the ways in which our officers' families needed support and the resources necessary to provide them with such," said Moore. "Kim Chapman immersed herself in the tragedy, ignoring her own losses, to help those who needed it most. She stood as an example for others in our community to follow. She extended her support to the families of the entire Department who were also grieving and hurt."
At the dinner, Greg Gaudio was named the 2008 Chamber "Volunteer of the Year." Greg's commitment to the youth has been described by others as outstanding. He has been volunteer soccer head coach from Ceres Youth Soccer to Gustine High School to competitive soccer since 1985 to the present. Greg has been a guidance counselor to the foster children since 1999. He is also a coordinator to Careers and Manufacturing Program for local high schools.
Guadio was a Ceres Chamber Board member between 1998 and 2000.
Hanline, 57, was nominated by two members of the School Board, Teresa Guerrero and Eric Ingwerson and chosen by a pool of past recipients. He was tapped for his commitment to the Ceres community evident through the many contributions he has made to the education of Ceres children and to the Ceres community.
Hanline served as a volunteer on both the Measure U and Measure J campaign committees to build and refurbish school facilities. In 2004 Hanline co-founded CUSD Foundation to supplement resources to support educational programs and events in Ceres schools. He also served as president of the Ceres Chamber of Commerce in 2005, heading up the Chamber's annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
At the Ceres American Legion Hall affair, the Chamber of Commerce installed new Chamber officers. Bertie Plante assumed the Chamber's chair from Alan Love. Shane Parson is now chair elect while Robert Yockey was installed as chief financial officer/treasurer. New board members are Alan Love and Mary Lopez. Ambassadors are Elaine Marlett, Julia Fatheere, Tim Bird, Tracy Maciel and Rachelle Silvia. Education chair is Jay Simmonds and Pam Agnew is in charge of Special Events.
