Laguna Beach Unified Board President Named Citizen of the Year

News release from Laguna Beach Unified School District:

Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education President Betsy Jenkins and her husband Dr. Gary Jenkins were chosen as the 2012 Citizens of the Year for the 46th Annual Laguna Beach Patriot’s Day Parade.

The Jenkins were selected for the honor because of their significant contributions to the community. In addition to her active work with District schools, Ms. Jenkins has served the community as past president of the Capistrano/Laguna Beach ROP Board and currently serves on the Boards of Laguna Beach Live!, the Mission Hospital Advisory Board and the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association.

Dr. Jenkins is the SchoolPower Endowment Foundation President and on the Friendship Shelter Board. He is also a past Laguna Beach High School Football Booster President. A sampling of the Jenkins’ longstanding devotion to the community is evident through their work with Boy Scouts of America, Laguna Art Museum, Village Laguna, and Laguna Playhouse.

LBUSD Superintendent Sherine Smith nominated Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins for the honor. She expresses her appreciation for the couple’s continued commitment to make a positive difference in every endeavor, “Dr. Gary and Mrs. Betsy Jenkins have dedicated their hearts and souls to the betterment of the community of Laguna Beach. Their volunteer efforts range from the Friendship Shelter to the Laguna Beach Unified School District and are too numerous to list. Gary and Betsy exemplify the qualities we hope our students will acquire as they move through our schools: generosity, caring, compassion, character, intelligence, dedication, effort and integrity.

The Jenkins’ live the reality of “Citizens of the Year.” On behalf of the entire Laguna Beach Unified School District, I am proud to say we are thrilled they are being honored for their outstanding commitment to Laguna Beach. They truly embody the unique “spirit of Laguna.”

Ms. Jenkins remarks, “Gary and I feel so privileged to live in a place like Laguna, where volunteer effort, generous spirit, and a real sense of community prevail. It is especially meaningful to us that our nomination came from the school district people with whom we’ve worked closely for more than 20 years. We love every minute of time we volunteer in this community.”

An Honorees Brunch will be held on Sunday, February 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Terrace, Festival of Arts Grounds. The cost of the brunch is $25 per person and reservations are requested by January 20. For more information email Sandi Werthe at shworthy@juno.com or telephone at 949-494-6016.