Perhaps now more than ever, service to the community is of paramount importance - and the impacts of 2009's Salute Morgan Hill recipients prove it.
Jon Hatakeyama and Denise Melroy, both active in Morgan Hill's education community, were chosen as Man and Woman of the Year for 2009 and will be honored during a dinner celebration Saturday.
Jon Hatakeyama
Hatakeyama spearheaded both the Teachers Aid Coalition and South County Wine Auction, which have been successful fundraising events for 10 years.
Hatakeyama, who has a dental practice in Morgan Hill, was nominated for being a "selfless" and "behind the scenes" individual, according to his nomination.
"It was a surprise, but a welcome one," Hatakeyama said about the award.
Hatakeyama said he got his altruistic start in the Japanese community in South County, getting involved in things he enjoys doing.
He branched out into school funding with the South Valley Wine Auction, which started as a way to earn money for Live Oak High School's track team to purchase new uniforms. Then, he started the Teachers Aid Coalition, which raises money to help teachers buy school supplies.
An avid outdoorsman, Hatakeyama also had a hand in opening the San Pedro Percolation Ponds to the public.
Hatakeyama humbly noted that since his children are the fourth generation of his family to live in Morgan Hill, he should have a hand in efforts to improve the community.
"I wasn't doing anything spectacular," Hatakeyama said. "These are things that most people who had the time and energy would do, and needed to be taken care of. I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time."
Denise Melroy
Melroy, too, described herself as a behind the scenes person, so she was surprised when she was told she was selected for the honor.
"You don't do things for the accolades," she said. "I always saw these things, and thought, 'Wouldn't it be neat if I was ever that?' It's almost an unreachable dream. I'm very honored."
Melroy, who has lived in Morgan Hill for 25 years, works at the Centennial Recreation Center's Senior Center as a program assistant.
She said her passions include senior citizens and the homeless. Before working in the Senior Center, Melroy was an organizer of Live Oak High School's Grad Night. She co-chaired that event for two years. In 2005, she chaired a regional swim meet that brought hundreds of visitors to Morgan Hill. She has also volunteered as the United Methodist Church's pianist for several years. A self-described "Jack of all trades, master of none," Melroy spent the past year feeding the homeless at the Gilroy Armory and chairing the beer booth for the Taste of Morgan Hill, among other things.
"No one ever realizes how much the little person matters," she said.
Volunteer of the Year:
Patty Sebald
Patty Sebald is the weekend warrior of volunteers. An integral part of both the Taste of Morgan Hill and the Gilroy Garlic Festival, Sebald credits her husband of 20 years, David, with her volunteer spirit.
"He's the one that got me involved, who instilled the importance of this in me," she said. "Once I started I couldn't quit. He's the one who put the fire in me."
A Leadership Morgan Hill graduate, Sebald said she loves everything that volunteerism stands for.
In addition to the region's two biggest events, Sebald helps with the Morgan Hill Senior Center Valentine's Day Dance.
During the week, Sebald is the Director of Surgical Services at Saint Louise Regional Hospital.
Student of the Year:
Amber Masoni
Ann Sobrato High School's Amber Masoni was named Student of the Year. Her nomination paperwork says she "has dedicated herself selflessly to her peers and to our community. With all of her activities and rigorous courses, Amber maintains a highly charismatic and humble character. Her ability and compassion to serve others with humility and charisma best characterizes Amber's involvement at Sobrato and in Morgan Hill."
Masoni said she feels very lucky to have been chosen for the honor, since there are a lot of other students who work just as hard.
"I just love the sense of community and belonging, of being a part of something. It's just a great feeling to me," she said.
For the past four years, Amber served as a member of the Associated Student Body and has served as its treasurer for two years. While maintaining a grade point average exceeding 4.0 every semester, Masoni is an active member of the California Scholarship Federation, a service-oriented group, as well as helping with the Senior Citizen Ball and Japanese Festival from time to time.
Sobrato Principal Debbie Padilla said she couldn't say enough about Masoni.
"She's one of those people that is just an incredible leader," Padilla said. "She cares about her community, our school. Her goal really is to make a difference, yet she has really no desire to get recognition for that. She's the type of person who does it because she knows it's going to make the school, community and world a better place to be. You don't find that in people too often."
Masoni said she hopes to attend a University of California, hopefully in Davis, and plans to work as a nutritionist.
Educator of the Year:
Theresa Sage
Theresa Sage has been a Morgan Hill Unified School District teacher for 14 years. She has filled many roles, from yard duty at Britton Middle School to Chair of the Social Studies Department at Ann Sobrato High School. All the while she has taught subjects varying from psychology to history. Sage also serves as advisor for the Interact Student Club. Outside school, Sage can be seen helping the United Methodist Church organize food drives for needy families.
According to her nomination, "Theresa is a daily example of fabulous teaching and inspiration, and she does all of this while blind and in high heels."
Sobrato Principal Debbie Padilla said Sage is a hands-on teacher who makes her students feel comfortable, even while discussing such hot-button topics as family, marriage and sex.
"She lets the students feel comfortable to share their view and know that they're safe and comfortable in her classroom," Padilla said, noting that it was her students who nominated her.
Sage said she simply does what she has always wanted to do. "I've wanted to be a teacher since I was young," she said. "I love working with kids, and it's a very fulfilling job."
Business of the Year: Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant
According to one nomination, "Majid (Bahriny)'s generous donation of either talent, time or treasure both personally and professionally to the local community and within Santa Clara County is an example we all could strive to emulate."
In addition to catering at a reduced fee, if any, for Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools, Bahriny hosted the Chamber of Commerce's "Good Morning Morgan Hill" breakfast for two years.
A selection committee sifts through and makes the final decision on the six honorees, said Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce President Chris Giusiana.
The 2009 Salute Morgan Hill Awards Ceremonies and Dinner will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Community and Cultural Center.
Details: Call Chamber Special Events Director Patti DeLaRosa at 779-9444 or e-mail her at pdelarosa@morganhill.org.
Natalie Everett
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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