Juan Crespi Junior High School – 1995 Winner
Patricia Dornan, who also received an award in 1995, taught English as a Second Language at Juan Crespi Junior High School in Richmond. Because the school district was bankrupt, the school could offer only four academic classes per day. Yet, Ms. Dornan’s commitment extended far beyond the academic day. Ms. Dornan created a Student Council and served as its advisor. She organized dances, profits from which were used to buy toys for needy children. She conducted a toy drive, a food drive and a penny collection to benefit various charities. Ms. Dornan personally paid college tuition for four former students; delivered food to her poor families; took top students and student officers to dinner at her own expense; and provided bus tickets at her expense to students who could not afford them.