Alumni of the Year & Athletic Hall of Fame
2019 Lifetime Achievement Recognition
Beverly Cleary
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[PEACEFUL MUSIC]
Description: Logo and text, Chaffey College, Beverly Cleary, Lifetime Achievement.
Description: Black and white photo of Beverly Cleary as a young woman.
SPEAKER 1: Beverly Cleary came
to Chaffey College in the 1930s to pursue her dream of becoming
a children's librarian.
Description: Black and white photo of young men and women in a library smiling and laughing.
But after she embarked
on that career, she discovered that
her true calling was not in reading to children,
but in writing for them.
Description: Beverly Cleary talks to a group of children in a park.
She wanted to write
children's books that contained relatable characters.
Description: Cleary with a pencil and typed sheets of paper. A cat stands on the desk.
She wanted to create
stories that would capture the imaginations of children.
Description: Black and white photo of young Cleary with dark wavy hair sitting in a chair wearing a polka dot dress with a large white collar.
Description: Color video of Cleary with wavy grey hair wearing a blue sweater sitting in front of a window, a bouquet of orange roses behind her.
BEVERLY CLEARY: When I
was in grammar school,
I sometimes felt that school
didn't want us to read,
because there were long
questions after everything
we read, and "Give the
theme of the book."
That was the question
I hated the most.
"What is the theme
of this book?"
I just wanted to read
a book and enjoy it.
And I think that's what
children should do.
SPEAKER 1: And so, in
1950, she published
her first book, Henry Huggins.
Beverly would go on
to write nearly 50
more books during a career that
spanned more than four decades.
BEVERLY CLEARY: When I
first started writing,
I would start after breakfast.
In those days, I baked bread and
quite often would start bread
and sit down and write.
And by the time I needed
to stretch my legs,
it was time to punch
the dough down.
And so I'd take a break and
then go back to writing.
When I was writing
the Henry books,
it occurred to me
that all the children
appeared to be only children.
So I tossed in a little sister.
And at the moment I needed a
name, a neighbor called out,
"Ramona!"
to another neighbor.
And so I just named her Ramona.
SPEAKER 1: The unforgettable
adventures of Ramona and Beezus
Quimby have had a lasting
influence on countless children
across generations.
Her books have earned
multiple state, national,
and international honors.
The Library of Congress has
named Beverly a living legend.
Chaffey College
honors Beverly Cleary
as its inaugural recipient of
the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award recognizes
alumni who have
had a tremendous
impact on the world
and whose work aligns with
Chaffey's vision and mission.
2019 Alumni of the Year and Athletic Hall of Fame
Virginia Aguilar-Riley
Lessons Virginia learned at Chaffey College helped her make critical decisions and transformed her into the go-to behind –the the-scenes person she is today.
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Description: Title, Chaffey College, Virginia Aguilar-Riley, Alumni of the Year
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Description: Scenes alternate between a woman walking and sitting during an interview
VIRGINIA AGUILAR-RILEY: I
grew up, was born and raised in Upland, right down the hill. I was raised in a very
traditional Hispanic family. I'm the only girl. I have two brothers. And at that time,
college was not something that entered into
the conversation for a female, but I always knew I
wanted to do something. And I have an aunt who's-- when I was a child, maybe
7 or eight years old, she was in high
school, and I used to see her practicing
her typing. I thought was fascinating. You know, I'd like
to work in an office. So when I got to
high school, that's what I told my counselor,
and they talked to me about going to Chaffey. And here I landed
at Chaffey College. Chaffey College is a
blessing to this community to have a school like this here. After I graduated
from Chaffey, I helped my brothers,
who were younger, come through Chaffey,
because I had a job by then. On the day I started
school here at Chaffey, the Ontario school
district called me to report for
work that afternoon. I started as a two
hour a day, and Chaffey had a work experience program,
so I linked those two things up and got credit. I had no idea that this
was going to happen, but I stayed at the
school district, and I remained
there for 47 years. And I retired as
Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent. In my role at the
school district, we dealt with a lot of
families who were in need. Students who were
not going to school, because they needed
clothing, didn't have shoes. I wanted to help those families. Then I joined
Soroptimists of Montclair, a women's service
organization, and that kind of evolved from being a
member of Soroptimists and I joined some
other clubs and I got involved in the
community, and always looking for projects that would
help young people especially. One of the themes
for Soroptimists is empowering women and girls
to achieve their dreams. It's kind of like somebody
helped me achieve my dream by coming to Chaffey college. I'm not an educator,
but I do want to help guide these women and
girls to achieve their dreams. And then maybe they'll stay
here, and they'll do the same and turn and help
our community grow. There are so many
opportunities out there to help other community members. You never want to think, oh,
I know they're selling tickets to that raffle that's
going to provide a scholarship for someone,
but somebody else will do it. You need to step in. It's always better
to get involved and be part of
the process rather than somebody else will do it.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Steve Jackson
“Jackson said Chaffey College professors and coaches taught him responsibility.”
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Description: Title, Chaffey College, Steve Jackson, Alumni of the Year
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Description: Scene alternates between a man walking outdoors and sitting for an interview
STEVE JACKSON: Coming from
Chaffey High School in Ontario, I was recruited to play baseball
here from the late great Howard Lowder, who was a baseball
coach here for many, many years.
Description: The Howard W. Lowder scoreboard on the baseball field
Coming to Chaffey, instilled
in me about being responsible, and that's where I started
becoming really an adult.
Description: Wide view of the baseball field
And I received a baseball
scholarship in Alabama. After I graduated,
I came back here and then I got into
the fire service, and I've been a full
time firefighter now for about 30 years total
so far in the fire service. I'm a Deputy Chief for the
Montclair Fire Department. The biggest thing to
me is helping people, and that's very rewarding to me. In my position, I'll
hold a lot of meetings with the younger guys,
and I try to explain to them the importance why
we became firefighters. And it's about giving
back to others.
Description: Jackson talks to a firefighter
We do a lot of fundraisers
to raise funds for charities that our association
would give to, and my biggest involvement
with a community is coaching youth sports,
primarily baseball. The first time that I had done
it, a neighbor friend of mine said, hey, I know
you play baseball. Would you be interested in
taking on a team and coaching?
Description: Baseball team photo
And then I kind of
stepped backwards and I started coaching my son, who was
five years of age at that time. And then I just
started coaching teams for approximately 20
years, and I just-- I loved it.
Description: Baseball team photo
On one of the teams that
I had, two of the kids are playing in the
majors right now, one for the Cleveland Indians
and one is the starting infielder for the Rays. And they weren't
even the best players on the team during that time. They just took it
and ran with it, and got better and
better and better. In fact, the one that
plays for the Indians, he had given me this bat and
it has my name engraved in it, but he had hand written me a-- probably a two page letter,
and it was very touching, you know, as far as what I
had done for him in his life. And not only did
it-- you know, was I trying to make them
a better ballplayer, but more so, just teaching them
about life and life skills. And just about integrity
and being honest, and treat those like you want
to be treated, with respect. I just love helping others,
because so many people had helped me throughout my life. If they weren't there for
me, I wouldn't be here today.
Description: Text, Chaffey College
Tim Sandoval
“Sandoval commitment to education has taken him from the classroom to City Hall.”
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Description: Text, Chaffey College, Tim Sandoval, Alumni of the Year
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Description: A man uses a cell phone as he walks on a sidewalk, then sits while he speaks.
TIM SANDOVAL: So I grew
up in the city of Pomona. And when I graduated
from Pomona High School, the school that I accepted
was Claremont McKenna College. It just happens that at
that particular moment, I was going to some very
real challenges in my life. My father-- my
parents separated. And middle of my
second year, I failed.
Description: He reads papers at a desk
But I knew that I wanted
to continue college. I wanted to make sure that
I took care of my mom, at some point. And I enrolled at Chaffey
Community College.
Description: Exterior of Chaffey College, long rectangular building with floor to ceiling windows.
I was pretty lost when I
arrived at Chaffey College. And I met a lot of people who
took an interest in me when I needed it most. And that's what
that place can do. Is it can transform a life,
and it transformed my. It saved me.
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So for that reason, I'm forever
grateful for that Chaffey experience.
Description: Sun shines beyond an overhang
So after I graduated
from Chaffey, I decided to go to UC Riverside. And graduated with a BA
in English literature. Shortly after I
graduated, I was asked to help co-found a nonprofit in
Pomona, called Bright Prospect. It was a program
that was intended to help the young people
from this community, who were, perhaps, were
thinking of going to schools like UCLA and Berkeley. To get them to consider
going to schools that they had never
heard of before. Those schools also
wanted to diversify. So they provided
tremendous financial aid. So $50,000, $60,000 education-- fully funded.
Description: Sandoval speaks to two women in a cafe
I think over time,
it became clear to me that Pomona really
needed political change.
Description: He talks with the cashier
I had been working
with these young people from this community
for close to 15 years. And I wanted to
make sure that we didn't lose those kids,
where sometimes communities have this brain drain
because we haven't created the opportunities for
them to come back, and to serve in some capacity. And I really felt at the
time that what we needed was youth leadership. And I was elected
mayor, in November 2016.
Description: He walks into Pomona City Hall
Shortly after I was elected,
when the state passed SB 54-- the California Values Act-- we, as a city, also
passed an ordinance saying that we respect
our diverse community. And that we are going
to ensure their safety. And our city elected to build
a homeless service center. What we said is, let's
do the right thing. Let's make sure that we
have a place for them to get their lives back. And so this past December, we
opened up the Homeless Services Center, which is
currently housing over 200 homeless people. So in this position,
we're able to create policy that has a
tremendous impact on the lives of our residents.
Description: A man shakes his hand at the cafe
If I could be in a position
to help others who, by extension, could
help their families, then I believe that I've
fulfilled my calling.
Description: Text, Chaffey College. Logo, red square with white outline of two mountains.
Vince Alvarado
“Alvarado worked hard on an off the court, pursuing general education courses and leading the Panthers to first team all-conference both years he played.”
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Description: Text, Chaffey College, Vince Alvarado, Athletic Hall of Fame, Basketball
Description: A man dribbles a basketball, then sits as he speaks
VINCE ALVARADO: The basketball
was put into my hands at an early young age. Growing up with
two older brothers, I had a healthy sibling rivalry. My dad, coaches,
they helped me become who I am, who I became
on the basketball court.
Description: He dribbles at center court
I grew up in
Victorville, California. I played at Silverado
High School. I had a really good senior year
of basketball, good academics, honor roll student. I was all-CIF first team,
all-San Bernardino County, Desert Sky League
player of the year, all-region by the LA Times,
male athlete of the year. So I thought I was going to go
somewhere out of high school and get a scholarship. But it ended up not working out. I just started working. I didn't know where
my future was going. I didn't know what to do. So I pretty much had quit
basketball, quit school.
Description: Another man greets him on the court
Out of nowhere, Coach Klein
gave me a call a couple weeks before Christmas. So I came out that
January and started practicing with the team. Chaffey College is
like a second chance that gives you the opportunity
to continue what you almost left behind.
Description: She shoots baskets
Some of my accomplishments
here at Chaffey, several all-tournament teams. I was also a team captain
my sophomore year. I was also a two-time
all-conference. Besides the athletic awards,
I also averaged a 3.4 GPA. Outside of school I earned
my associate's degree. I was also a staffer here at
some of the basketball camps that Coach Klein ran, as well
as my high school coaches ran in the high desert, just showing
the kids the basic fundamentals of basketball and basic
fundamentals of life, really. After Chaffey I had a few
offers from different states. But I chose Hawaii
because there's nothing like a degree in paradise. I was on a full
basketball scholarship. I was all-conference my senior
year, as well as team captain. And I earned my bachelor's
degree in sociology. After I graduated from
the University of Hawaii I played basketball one
season in South America. It was a lot of fun. I made a lot of friends.
Description: He hugs another man on a walkway
I'm currently working
at BNSF Railway. I'm a conductor. It's pretty cool to be
doing 70 miles per hour on a two-mile long train.
Description: Red lights flash and railroad crossing bar lowers
So being able to do
that, moving America, is pretty cool to be a part of. Helping out the
economy, and it gives me a little bit of satisfaction. I feel like I'm doing
something for this country.
Description: The crossing bar raises
One day I hope to coach my
son, as well as my daughters.
Description: Young boy and girl
I mean, my daughters might
be in gymnastics or dance, but I'm going to have to
spend some time on YouTube learning how to dance
and do gymnastics just so I can be involved. But I'll put in the time
and work if it includes being involved with my kids.
Description: The man with a woman and two children.
Description: Logo, Chaffey College
Jordan Carmody
“At Chaffey College I learned to never give up on your dreams. If you want to do something, you fight until you get it.”
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Description: Chaffey College, Jordan Carmody, Athletic Hall of Fame, Water Polo.
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Description: A woman stands outdoors. She then sits during an interview.
JORDAN CARMODY: Water
polo was my sport because I was never
very good at land. I wasn't the best runner. I didn't like to
sweat as a child. I didn't really like to do
any kind of physical activity, whatsoever. Going into high
school, my mom says you will be playing a sport. You better choose something. So water polo it was. My brother does a water polo. I'll do water polo. And then ever since then,
the rest is honestly history.
Description: She yells to swimmers in a pool
So for high school, I made
MVP for my overall team, and I made First Team All
League my senior year.
Description: Three photos of the woman followed by exteriors of Chaffey College
I got recruited by Chaffey
College out of high school. I would say my time at
Chaffey was life changing. I wouldn't have been the person
that I am without my experience there. I learned just how
to go after my goals and to never stop
giving up and to keep pushing no matter what happens. You know, to keep going.
Description: The woman in a swimming pool
My goal was, at Chaffey, I
wanted to graduate in two years and receive a scholarship
to a D1 school,
Description: Photo of the woman with two other women
and I knew Iona College. It was a school I
wanted to go to. I set my mind to it going
into my sophomore year. And I made First
Team All Conference and I also made All-American. Even though I did go to
Chaffey for water polo, I developed a love
for swimming as well. Both my freshman and
my sophomore year we were conference champions.
Description: Women in a pool hold up one finger
It was almost as if all my
hard work and blood, sweat, and tears, for lack
of better words, was finally acknowledged,
and I accepted my scholarship to Iona.
Description: She stands with two men and a woman in front of an Ioan College sign
I had become captain
my senior year at Iona. I mean, it was one of my
goals that I had set out. After my junior year, I
wanted to lead the team and leave an impact
while I was there.
Description: She holds a water polo ball over her head in the water, followed by a photo in cap and gown.
I graduated with my bachelor's
in sociology, a minor mass communication. And then, I came
back to California.
Description: Stands at the side of a pool
A coaching position
actually fell into my lap at Charter Oak High School,
and the more and more I began coaching, I realized
this is something I really want to
actually continue doing the rest of my life. So today, I am the
assistant women's water polo coach and the assistant
men's and women's swim coach at Citrus College.
Description: Watches swimmers
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
in this month of October is just so happens to
be during our season where we make a huge point
to make people aware. We wear these hot pink
caps and we sell shirts where we donate proceeds
to a local organization. I believe this year
we did City of Hope. I think something that a lot
of kids need to understand is a lot of us are privileged,
and we have a lot of things that many don't have. So, along with
maybe good health, unlike people with
breast cancer, some people don't have food to
fill their bellies at night. We wanted to involve our
girls at the food pantry, and they provided food
for the kids on campus. So they get to learn you know
the hardships of other people. They get to learn that maybe
you do have it that bad or you don't have it that
bad, but at the same time, it makes you more aware of the
people that are around you.
Description: Wide shot of swimming pool
My biggest goal, as a
coach, would be just to change them and make them
better people, prepare them for the future as
my coaches did.
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Description: Chaffey College
Michael Dickson
“Dickson alumnus and 40-year swimming, diving and water polo coach has made an unforgettable mark that stretches across the world.”
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Description: Title, Chaffey College, Michael Dickson, Athletic Hall of Fame, Swim.
Description: A man speaks at the side of a swimming pool
MICHAEL DICKSON: I was
first hired here in 1978. And then I retired last
year, in May of 2018. So it was 40 years
that I was here. I still bump into young people
who are no longer young. But they recognize me because
I haven't changed a whole lot. I still have my beard. And when I'm wearing my
Hawaiian shirt everyday, people say, Coach Mike,
that's you, isn't it?
Description: He walks along the pool's edge
I grew up in the
city of Montclair. And we moved down here
when I was about seven. And my mother put
us in swim lessons. And I was an acrobat. I did a lot of
gymnastics-type activities. The diving coach down there
requested that I come out for the diving team. And I was also on the
swim team at that time. And I did that
when I was a child. And then I pretty much
did diving from then on, all the way through
college as well. I came here in 1967, just
taking general ed classes for the most part.
Description: Swimmers in lanes
I was on the swim team.
Diving are two events
of the swim program.
And so I was one of the
divers that we had here.
And I was the conference
finalist both years
that I was here.
I was a finalist at Southern
California Championships
and then also qualified for
the State Diving Championships.
And then I transferred
to Cal Poly Pomona.
I graduated with a degree
in physical education.
I was first hired here in 1978.
We've won several state
championships in diving.
I've had swimmers compete
in the Olympic games.
I've won the State Diving
Coach of the Year Award,
as well as Swim
Coaches of the Year.
I've got quite a few
of those, because we've
won quite a few swimming
championships under my helm.
I think part of it is just
I'm not coming in and doing
an 8:00 to 5:00 job.
I was the Red Cross Aquatics
Director for many years.
Being a CPR instructor,
a first aid instructor,
teaching lifeguarding
and WSI, you
get a chance to help
people help others.
For many years, I've
been the aquatic director
during the summertime, and
I've run the summer swim
lesson program here.
And we work with anywhere
from 1,800 to 2,000 kids
every summer.
Somebody'll bring in
their child and say, yeah,
I was in this program
when I was five years old.
And now, this is my
five-year-old child.
I've had even a couple of
third generation people
who've gone through the program.
That's fun.
When you think in terms
of the thousands of kids
that I've had an opportunity
to have an influence on,
I'm very humbled by that.
My goal as a coach was
to get them into a point,
mentally, to become the
best that they could be.
