Pleasant Hill Community Awards: Leanne Hamaji Is Citizen of the Year

Leanne Hamaji has been selected as the 2012 Pleasant Hill Citizen of the Year. Hamaji has served on numerous education committees. She is a founding member of the Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education. She has been a tireless advocate for providing quality education for the children of Pleasant Hill.

Business of the Year went to Elena Hutslar, Becky Coburn and Jennifer Neys, publishers of the Community Focus – an independent monthly newspaper distributed to more than 30,000 homes. Since 2009, the Focus has become a respected and valued community resource full of news and information about the people, places, events and happenings of Pleasant Hill.

The Green Award was presented ot the Sequoia Middle School EARTH Club for its activities related to science, ecology and the environment. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection was honored for its many green accomplishments at the church and for educating its congregation on how to practice sustainability at home.

Teen of the Year was presented to Helena Encarnacion-Strand for her volunteer work as a member and current chair of the Teen Council. An active member of Interact Club at College Park High School, she has performed hundreds of hours of community service at many special events and programs.

Educator of the Year was presented to Aida Attiga, a Sequoia Elementary School teacher, who has introduced modern technology into the classroom and serving as the school's technology representative to the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

Other awards include:

Mayor's Award - Lesley Stiles, Teen Center Staff and Teen Council, and Jack's Restaurant.

PH Rec & Park District Board Appreciation Award - Cheryl Kolano
PH Rec & Park District Community Service Award - Aegis of Pleasant Hill and the Chateaus
Pleasant Hill Chamber Board Appreciation Award - Judith Sosnowski
Pleasant Hill Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Sue Damhesel
PH Community Foundation Cornerstone Award – Aloma Levine
Community Plus Award - Martin Nelis.

The 42nd Annual Community Awards Night was held on Thursday, Jan. 17, at Back Forty Restaurant in Pleasant Hill. This event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, City of Pleasant Hill and the PH Recreation & Park District. It honors citizens, businesses and employees who have made a significant contribution to the Pleasant Hill community through dedication and volunteerism.

The organizing committee received eighteen nominations this year in the six competitive award categories including six nominations each for Citizen of the Year and the Green Award.