in New Jersey and moved to California in 1989 . While living in London , she studied and is a graduate of the Inchbald School of Interior Design , fulfilling a lifetime passion . Janis continues to practice interior design . Nominated by Morgan Hill Dog Owners Group .
18 JULLIAN DENT
Born in Liverpool , England , Jullian Dent moved to the United States in 1991 . She notes that “ this country has been very good to my family .” Once moving to Morgan Hill and later San Martin , she is aware of the strong sense of community and volunteering spirit that exists in the community . She began volunteering at her girls ’ school and St . John ’ s Episcopal Church and realized what an impact just a few people could make in a volunteer organization . “ I cannot describe the generosity of heart and soul that comes from their volunteering spirit ,” she says . Nominated by Community Solutions .
19 CARMEN GUERRERO
Carmen Guerrero is from Mexico and has lived in the USA for 22 years . She has been married 22 years , and has two children . Her son studies at UC Davis and her daughter studies at UCLA . She likes to help as much as she can . Currently , she volunteers at the Learning and Loving Education Center , welcoming students and visitors , making calls , answering the phone , making copies , doing the cleaning and anything else the Center needs . Nominated by the Learning and Loving Education Center .
20 PAT JAMISON
Pat Jamison is a 14- year veteran of teaching youth to ride horses . After retiring from the corporate world of software , Pat turned her energies to helping others . She became a certified PATH Therapeutic riding instructor and found her new calling working with “ One Step Closer .” Pat believes equine therapeutic riding provides children a powerful means to exploit their strengths . She appreciates how children and horses continue to teach her how to treat others . Pat loves the opportunity to work with horses , but , perhaps more importantly , with some of the most amazing children that she has ever met . Nominated by One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding .
21 TERI HENNESSY
Teri Hennessy has been an integral part of the Living History Field Trip Program ( half-day sessions for 3-5 th graders ) at Villa Mira Monte , since its inception in 2009 . Starting as a volunteer , her masterful knack for keeping things organized and on track , soon elevated her to “ administrative coordinator .” She is always ready to lend a hand , offer a new idea , or do the hard work needed to keep the program running smoothly . For many years , Teri also serves as a monthly docent , greeting visitors for tours at Villa Mira Monte , and volunteers to help at Historical Society events . Nominated by the Morgan Hill Historical Society .
22 SUSAN OLDHAM-FRITTS
Retired chemical engineer Susan Oldham- Fritts is an avid STEM ( science , technology , engineering , and math ) advocate . Susan leads Girls Engaged in Math and Science ( GEMS ), AAUW-Morgan Hill ’ s STEM enrichment program for local teenage girls . She is also active in Tech Trek Camp Curie , a week-long AAUW STEM camp at Stanford University . Susan does additional youth outreach activities for the American Chemical Society , the Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair Association , and the Morgan Hill Historical Society . Nominated by American Association of University Women .
23 EMILY SHEM-TOV
Emily Shem-Tov is a long-time friend of the Morgan Hill Library and even used to work as a Reference Librarian in the Library ’ s old building . She was a member of the Beyond Books Committee raising money for the new library , served on the Morgan Hill Library , Culture and Arts Commission for two terms , was the cofounder and president of the Morgan Hill Library Foundation , and co-chaired seven annual Silicon Valley Puzzle Fest fundraisers for the library . She regularly takes her daughters to the library . Nominated by Morgan Hill Library .
24 JONA DENZ-HAMELTON
You may know Jona Denz-Hamelton from her long-time radio show on 94.5 KBAY . She ’ s lived in our MHUSD for the past 23 years with husband , Alan and their two sons , who both attended Morgan Hill
Unified schools . Being an active parent got Jona involved with local community volunteering , which turned into hosting several local events annually , including Philanthropy Night ! Dr . Jon Hatakeyama encouraged Jona to become a board member of a couple of local non-profits , one being the Teachers Aid Coalition . Since 2008 , Jona ’ s been a part of this impressive group that supports local teachers with semi-annual classroomsupply giveaways . Nominated by Teacher ’ s Aide Coalition .
25 KATHY CARRERA
Kathy Carrera was born and raised in California . She has lived in South County for the past 25 years and started a business , Carrera Backflow Specialists , here in 1991 . She is a single mom with four adult children . She currently lives in San Martin and enjoys the beach , reading , RVing , theater , and concerts . She also enjoys being part of the community of Morgan Hill . “ This is a community that cares !” she notes . Nominated by Edward Boss Prado Foundation .
26 CHRIS FREITAS
Chris Freitas and his wife Ninette became foster parents in 2005 to a sibling set of three , and signed all the kids up to play basketball at the Mount Madonna YMCA . Chris ’ oldest daughters team needed a coach , and he tried . After his first year , and attendance with the Positive Coaching Alliance put on by the YMCA , Chris came back and began teaching that “ winning isn ’ t everything ,” and that citizenship , responsibility , and effort say more about an individual than any score board . Nominated by Mt . Madonna YMCA .
Congratulations to all of this year ’ s honorees . Thank you for all you do to make Morgan Hill such a wonderful place to live , work and play .
F A L L 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y
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