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Riverside County Office of Education 3939 Thirteenth Street Riverside, California 92501 | Map (951) 826-6530 Indio Office Murrieta Office Governmental Relations Office |
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Copyright © 2011 Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. 3939 Thirteenth Street, Riverside, CA 92501 |
Quinn Hawley is a community member and volunteer for the Perris Union High School District. After 36 years in the U.S. Navy, serving as a chaplain in Vietnam and Korea, he retired with the rank of Captain. Reverend Hawley relocated to Perris as a minister for the Perris First Congregational Church. He retired in 2001, but is active in Rotary, American Cancer Society, Military Officers Association, and American Legion, Perris Valley Historical Society, and Board of Directors, Exceed. He has served on the Advisory Board of the Rob Reiner First Five Program in Perris, advisory to the California Institute Charter School, advisor to the Interact Club for Perris, Rancho Verde and Heritage high schools, member of SHIELD, coordinator of the Great American Smokeout, and Every 15 Minutes. He has provided counseling support for schools during tragedies, and established a tutoring program using Interact members. Nominators said he is “a person who has made significant contributions to the children and schools in our communities.”
Terry Lee Olson was the Principal of Tovashal Elementary School in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. She was an educator for 30 years, serving students in Murrieta, Corona-Norco, Ontario-Montclair, and San Bernardino county schools as an instructional aide, special day class teacher, speech pathologist, assistant principal and principal. She led Tovashal to a Distinguished School Award in 2004. The school consistently scored in the 800’s on the API for eight years. She advocated for successful teaching models for all students, organized the Literacy Club and Jump Rope for Heart, and designed before and after school literacy skills programs for English Learners. Nominators said “Terry was caring, memorable leader who had strong connections to staff, students, parents and community…She was driven to provide quality education to all children and became known for her powerful advocacy statement ‘there is no such thing as a throw away kid.” She died on January 22, 2008. More than 1,300 people attended her memorial service in honor of her dedication, and hundreds of pages of memories were sent in from students, like this one: “God must have needed a really good principal to take Mrs. Olson, he got the very best.” Cydney Contreras, student. 
Jerry Peebles is the Commissioner for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and third generation graduate from San Jacinto High School. His grandchildren now attend schools in the district where one daughter is a teacher and the other is an administrator. Jerry and his brother took over the announcing and music play at the football games, purchasing equipment with their own money. Jerry’s father advocated for the new football stadium and Jerry was Booster president when the stadium was completed. He is active with the San Jacinto Athletic Booster Club, president of the San Jacinto Education Foundation, PTA, school activities and helped pass to local school bonds. He helped expand the football booster club to include all athletics, creation of the Athletic Hall of Fame, and the generator that lights up the S on the mountain for Homecoming and graduation. Nominators said Jerry “believes in the San Jacinto community. He has a passion for all things Tiger. Jerry expects no recognition. He rolls up his sleeves wherever and whenever needed.” 
Lucille Stewart is a volunteer tutor for Alternative Education at Mount San Jacinto High/Ramon Academy in the Palm Springs Unified School District. She was employed by the Palm Springs district from 1967 until her retirement in January 2000. She was a special day class teacher for 10 years before serving as a program specialist 15 years, and coordinator of Special Education. Following her retirement, at the age of 75, she began working with students at the Ramon Alternative Center, tutoring students in math and reading. She is also a Special Education Surrogate for the school district, helping students with special needs when needed. Nominators said “she sets an example for all people, young and old alike, that if you wish to contribute to this world, the old adage is still true, where there is a will, there is a way.”