Page 18 - Mid Valley Times 2-4-21 E-edition

Thursday, February 4, 2021 | A18 |
Mid Valley TiMes
CHAMBER AWARDS Continued from page A1
Teenage Citizen of the Year; Cher- yl Nicolay, Distinguished Citizen of the Year; Debbie Newton John- son, Senior Citizen of the Year; Dopkins Funeral Chapel, Small Business of the Year; and Valley Labor Services, Large Business of the Year.
McElroy, current president of the Dinuba Lions and an active volunteer in many organizations including the historical society, said she followed her parents' mantra of "wherever you go, make it a better place." She said Dinuba reminds her of the 80s class sitcom "Cheers," saying it's a place where everybody knows your name."
Pannu, a Dinuba High School senior who carries a 4.3 grade point average, was this year's choice of the Dinuba Woman's Club for Teenage Citizen of the Year. Pannu, who will attend the University of California, River- side and major in molecular biol- ogy, received a $1,000 scholarship award from the club.
For the first time, fellow final- ists also will receive $1,000 schol- arships. This year's other finalists for 2020 were Jada Delgadillo and Natalie Gonzalez.
Pannu, a first generation Pun- jabi student, said winning the Teen Citizen Award is a dream come true for her. "After my edu- cation, I would like to come back to my community and hopefully run for mayor," she said. "I would like to serve those students who also come from immigrant fami- lies."
Nicolay, co-pastor for 17 years with husband Bill Nicolay at New Beginnings Church in Dinuba, is the founder and executive direc- tor of Dawnings Pregnancy Cen- ter in Dinuba. She was inspired to open the center in 2011 from
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Arshpreet Pannu gestured while accepting the award for Dinuba Teen Citi- zen of the Year from Dinuba Woman's Club during the video recording of the awards on Jan. 28 at the Alta District Historical Society building. Standing with Arshpreet is her mother, Parveen Pannu.
KLISTOFF Continued from page A1
school, serving as "pro- duce brokers" while vy- ing for top sales.
"They choose what to sell, their prices and try different marketing strategies to bring in as many customers as they can. Our commu- nity loves it," she said in the video.
Klistoff calls the Fairmont Farm Pro- gram "a curriculum, blueprint and model for the entire Valley and state." She praised the leadership and support of SUSD and Jared Sav- age, Fairmont principal.
With the establish- ment of the program, the district purchased two acres next to the school to build an ag complex that would be for other schools to visit and learn about agri- culture, Klistoff said the program is halfway to its goal of raising $5 million needed for con- struction.
During her award acceptance message to the organization, Klist- off showed video of some of the program's ag activities during the 2019-2020 school year. In the fall, students in the program planted two acres of pumping patch, including a corn maze and sunflower garden. That project culminated with a fall harvest.
Then in early 2020, students of all grades came up with plans for a salsa garden. That included blueprints of an irrigation system, which they then placed
themselves. That was followed by the plant- ing of about 1,000 toma- to, onion and jalapeño plants.
"Then March 13 hit, and all the students went home," Klistoff said about COVID-19 closing schools to live instruction on campus. "[But] there was a sil- ver lining. We were able to open the gar- den up to our commu- nity, and many families, churches and shelters were able to enjoy a great harvest."
With the new school year, the program has entered into a partner- ship with Fresno State in what's called "Smart Farm University." The program now has a "farmbot" that was pur- chased for them by the university.
"The farmbot is where the students will be able to use cab and coating and open farm resource area to cre- ate their own bed with their iPads where these robotic arms will be able to seed, weed and irrigate their plant," Klistoff said. "It's amaz- ing, we love innovation here at Fairmont."
Klistoff closed her remarks by thanking the foundation "for changing teachers' lives by giving us a comprehensive ag ed- ucation that will help grow diverse, innova- tive next-generation leadership from the ground up. This will prepare our students to meet the changing world's demands on ag- riculture."
her work as a chaplain at Dinuba High School. The pregnancy cen- ter has grown to a true "family resource" center.
"To do a project like Dawnings takes a team and community sup- port," Nicolay said. "I could not stand here today if it wasn't for my Lord, Jesus Christ. Who told meattheageof50tobecomea youth pastor and then come to Dinuba at the age of 60 and open a pregnancy center. This year is my 70th year, so I guess this is ap- propriate."
Senior Citizen of the Year Newton Johnson came home to Dinuba after college to work the summer under her father for Newton & Sons Real Estate. For- ty-plus years later, she's helped lead the company into its 102nd years of business. She has served multiple times on the chamber board and been a past president for Dinuba Rotary and the Dinuba Pioneer Club.
"I do believe that there are many other people who are more deserving than myself," she said. "I have always been impressed when I look around Dinuba at all
the people who volunteer, and do great things for our community." Speaking for Dopkins Funeral
Chapel, Small Business of the Year, was co-owner Karen Fran- zen. She and husband Michael brought their staff to the cer- emony and shared how they've adjusted to operating under CO- VID-19 guidelines. The business has been a Dinuba anchor for more than 100 years at the cor- ner of J and Kern streets, and last year expanded their business into Reedley.
The Large Business of the year, Valley Labor Services, was nominated by the Dinuba Kiwan- is Club. Owner Salvador Romero has been involved and supportive of the community for many years. The business has supported and sponsored the annual banquet, business expo, Raisin Festival and Scavenger Hunt.
The public can watch the an- nual Chamber Awards ceremony on You Tube, and also by access- ing the Dinuba Chamber Face- book page. Greg Olson filmed the video while Joshua Williams handled the production.
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