Laura Russell has gotten used to watching people during her 14
years as a San Benito High School Campus Supervisor, but she
doesn’t like it when the spotlight is on her.
Laura Russell has gotten used to watching people during her 14 years as a San Benito High School Campus Supervisor, but she doesn’t like it when the spotlight is on her.
“I’m not used to all this attention,” she said.
Even if she is the deserving recipient of the 2004 California School Employees Association (CSEA) Golden Bear Award, she finds the recognition a little embarrassing.
“I hope I don’t have to give a speech,” she added with a laugh and smile.
Russell’s contagious smile and uplifting laughter is exactly why CSEA Chapter 173 chose Russell out of 26 nominations for this year’s prestigious award. The Golden Bear Award recognizes non-classified employees, not teachers, who positively influence others around them through their actions. This is the first time a campus supervisor from SBHS has won the ward, which is chosen from CSEA employees, including secretaries, bus drivers, campus supervisors, clerks, food service aides, instructional aides, library assistants and every other non-certified position.
Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said all you have to do is look at her face and you begin smiling yourself.
“When you’re around her you can just feel her enthusiasm and thoughtfulness,” she said.
Her involvement in CSEA Chapter 173, coupled with consistent and meaningful contributions at SBHS made Russell a prime candidate for the Golden Bear honor.
Blanca Degarndis, organizer of the award for CSEA, said it was Russell’s coolness under pressure that caught her eye and made her realize the campus supervisor really deserved this honor.
“She was able to stay calm and controlled in a situation when a lot of people would have lost their heads,” she said.
Degarndis is talking about an incident in 1998 when Russell, who has been working at SBHS for 14 years, went above and beyond the call of a campus supervisor’s duty. Only weeks before graduation a student riding a motorcycle collided with a Suburban on San Felipe Road. Russell ran to the scene and held the young man, who was hanging from the bumper, until an ambulance arrived on the scene.
“It was really nice to see him when he recovered,” Russell said. “I was given a certificate of appreciation at the school board meeting and he came straight from Stanford Medical Center to the meeting just so he could be there. It was really nice.”
When she’s not coming to the rescue, students and faculty said Russell’s everyday enthusiasm for life makes the halls of SBHS a fun place to be.
“Out of all the ‘camp-O’s’ here on campus, whenever I’m having a bad day I can find myself with a smile on my face whenever I see Laura,” Junior Tim Martinez said.
Principal Duane Morgan agreed that Russell is a joy to have on campus.
“We’re very proud of Laura here,” he said. “As I’m sure other people have mentioned, she always has a smile on her face.”
When she isn’t brightening the day of students and staff at SBHS, Russell visits sick co-workers in the hospital, and she makes sure no one goes without a birthday or anniversary card. In the SBHS union of CSEA, Russell holds the position of the “Sunshine Lady.” It’s her job to make sure members of the union receive a bit of cheer when they’re down or up.
“When someone has had a death in the family I send flowers and a card from the union,” she said. “I also send cards for birthdays, anniversaries – you name it.”
Fellow campus supervisor and union member Kim Berry nominated Russell for the award and said she’s the perfect sunshine lady because she’s so creative.
“She is so artsy and she is always coming up with crafty gifts for people,” Berry said. “She is a dear friend and I am really happy to see her get this award. She deserves it.”
Russell will be honored May 1, at a special luncheon at Bell Mia Restaurant in San Jose.
