John Rice and Sierra-at-Tahoe honored with outstanding community partner award

The El Dorado County School Boards Association (EDCSBA) held its annual awards gala on March 27 at the Cold Springs Country Club. It honored school board members and those who have shown exemplary service to their community and to the success of schools in the county.

Sierra-at-Tahoe and its General Manager John Rice were recognized for the free season ski pass program they have for straight-A students in South Lake Tahoe. They were awarded the Outstanding Corporate Organization Award. With an average of 350 passes being handed out annually, the reward for top grades has been awarded to thousands of local students since its inception in 1999.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler was at the dinner with Board Trustees Valerie Mansfield, Larry Reilly, and Bonnie Turnbull to celebrate John Rice and thank him for his continued support of LTUSD.

"It was an honor to have the opportunity to recognize John Rice and Sierra at Tahoe for their many years of support of LTUSD students and staff," Dr. Cutler told South Tahoe Now. "John and Sierra-at-Tahoe are a model of leadership and partnership for all. Our District and the community are a better place because of John's commitment to the development of our youth."

Dr. Ed Manansala, El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools, led the ceremony and afterward expressed, “The awards gala was a resounding success, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school board members who have given so much to El Dorado County schools. Thank you for your unwavering service.”

The awardees:

Glen Sellers Mother Lode Union School District
Jon Yoffie Buckeye Union School District
Cathy Wilson Mother Lode Union School District
Claire Frost Camino Union School District
Georgetown Divide Public Utility District
El Dorado County Youth Commission
Sierra Child & Family Services
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Summitview Child & Family Services
Darcy Knight Black Oak Mine Unified School District
Lori Veerkamp El Dorado Union High School District
Ronald "Ronnie" Ebitson Black Oak Mine Unified School District
Gene Wooden Camino Union School District
Heidi Weiland El Dorado County Office of Education
Daryl Lander Gold Trail Union School District
Janet Barbieri Gold Trail Union School District
Sue Hennike Gold Trail Union School District
Chuck Wolfe Mother Lode Union School District
Janet VanderLinden Mother Lode Union School District