Riding into 90: Former Fullerton School District superintendent takes victory lap on lawn mower
Former Fullerton School District Superintendent Duncan Johnson, who led the district for 15 years before retiring in 1995, returned to a district campus before the end of school, but not for a meeting or a ceremony. This time, he was there to fulfill a birthday dream.
As Johnson’s 90th birthday approached, his daughter, Juliet Gardner, contacted the district with an unusual but heartfelt request.
“I don’t know if there is anyone still around who worked with him,” she wrote in an email. “Dad turns 90 next month. He is not asking for a big party, but our family wants to do something special for him. … He has always wanted a rider mower; he covets one. But since we don’t have the need for one, his dream has never come true. So I was thinking, maybe he could have a chance to use a rider mower. Maybe at Pacific Drive or Hermosa Drive some afternoon or weekend?”
With help from the district’s Director of Facilities, Maintenance and Operations Eddie Carbjal and team, Johnson’s dream was brought to life.
When Johnson arrived on site near the district’s maintenance yard, on a grassy area next to Pacific Drive Elementary, he was surprised by his family and school district staff with the news that his birthday wish was coming true. He was given the choice between a modest John Deere 1575 mower and a larger John Deere 5090E tractor.
Johnson selected the lighter, more agile option, and, with a wide grin, he confidently mowed two rows of grass, impressing staff with his natural skill. It was all thumbs-up and smiles at the end, with a grateful Johnson and family.
Johnson, who turned 90 on April 29, moved to Fullerton with his wife, Carolyn, in 1962. He began his educational career teaching English at Buena Park High School, eventually moving to an assistant principal job at Troy High School.
His leadership journey continued as principal of Nicolas Junior High and, finally, as superintendent of the Fullerton School District, where he served with distinction until his retirement.
– Submitted by Fullerton School District
Santa Ana elementary school receives garden center upgrades
Dozens of volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect came together to upgrade the garden centers at Greenville Fundamental School in Santa Ana.
The joint volunteer force cleaned and planted fresh flowers in the school’s six gardens and constructed a new garden center with raised beds to cultivate large fruits and vegetables.
The upgrades will enhance learning opportunities and help instruct students in year-round garden care. The gardens help students learn about responsibility, teamwork and the plant sciences through hands-on experiences.
All students take an active role in maintaining the garden centers, with responsibilities shared among different classes throughout the school.
– Submitted by The Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect
Orange County students inspire a greener future
Orange County elementary school students are looking into the future, and it’s looking green.
The Orange County Power Authority, a not-for-profit community clean energy provider, announced the winners of its “Picturing a Better Tomorrow” art contest, intended to inspire a brighter, greener future.
The contest encouraged K-6 students from across the organization’s member cities – Buena Park, Fullerton, Irvine and Fountain Valley – to share their vision of a sustainable future through original artwork.
The following are the winning artists.
Adrita Pal, a second-grade student from Springbrook Elementary in Irvine, created her work, “Preservation,” with color pencils. In her artist description she wrote, “To preserve our environment we should keep it clean, plant more trees. We can use windmills for generating electricity. It will help to keep our atmosphere clean.”
Josiah Kim, a third-grade student from Charles E. Emery School in Fullerton, submitted “Underwater Hospital,” created with pencil, colored pencils and watercolor paint. He wrote, “This is me, helping the animals in the ocean. We need to take care of the sea animals because it is our duty to preserve the ocean life.”
Chloe Hayi Kim, a fifth-grade student from Laguna Road Elementary in Buena Park, created “Brightening Tomorrow” with color pencils and watercolor paint. She wrote, “My art shows the sun shining and beaming on the Earth to make a cleaner and greener tomorrow. Using solar energy helps us improve our environment by producing clean, renewable power from the sun.”
To see the students’ pieces, visit OCPA’s blog at ocpower.org/newsroom.
– Submitted by Orange County Power Authority
OC Theatre Guild Awards celebrate vibrant theatre scene
The Orange County theater community gathered recently to celebrate excellence in live performance at the fourth annual OC Theatre Guild Awards. The awards ceremony took place in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where the house was packed with artists, designers, technicians and supporters from across the county.
This year, the guild recognized outstanding work across 21 categories, including four gender-neutral acting categories, with two recipients honored in each by design.
A rare tie in Direction of a Play led to both Katie Chidester (“Tiny Beautiful Things,” Chance Theater, Anaheim) and Michael Martinez Hamilton (“The (Expletive) With the Hat,” The Wayward Artist, Santa Ana) receiving the award.
In total, 26 awards were presented throughout the evening.
“The (Expletive) With the Hat,” from The Wayward Artist, earned the most honors of the night, taking home six awards, including Outstanding Production of a Play. Close behind was “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical,” from Chance Theater, which received five awards, including Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Leading the night in recognition was Chance Theater, earning 11 awards for “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical,” “Tiny Beautiful Things,” “Sweeney Todd, The Musical,” “Gloria” and “Alma.”
The Wayward Artist followed with seven wins.
Curtis Theatre in Brea took home three awards for the production of “Once,” while Costa Mesa Playhouse, Alchemy Theatre Company, STAGEStheatre, Yorba Linda Spotlight Players and JStage Irvine were also recognized.
State superintendent announces 2025 classified school employees
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored nine outstanding classified school employees for their dedication to California’s public school students. Three of the honorees are from Orange County.
The annual Classified School Employees of the Year program honors outstanding classified school employees in the following categories: Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Paraprofessional Services, Security Services, Skilled Trades Services, Technical Services, and Transportation Services.
This year’s recipients were chosen from 135 nominations statewide.
The Orange County 2025 Classified School Employees of the Year are:
Custodial and Maintenance Services: Kurtland Lucas, Head Custodian; Crosby Elementary, Garden Grove Unified School District. Lucas has worked for the Garden Grove Unified School District for 45 years, and seven of those years have been at Crosby Elementary.
As head custodian, Lucas consistently goes above and beyond to ensure district facilities are maintained to the highest standards, creating a clean and welcoming environment for staff and students.
He arrives at work an hour before his scheduled shift begins to ensure school facilities are ready for the day. His early start ensures that Crosby Elementary is spotless and everything is in place, allowing for a smooth start to the day for everyone.
Lucas takes great pride in his work, particularly in maintaining the cafeteria floors to a pristine
He has additionally been nominated to be recognized as Recognizing Inspiring Schools Award (RISE) recipients.
Food and Nutrition Services: Melissa Erman, Nutrition Operations Supervisor, Food and Nutrition Services Department; Huntington Beach Union High School District (seven years of service in current position).
Since becoming the operations supervisor Erman has been adamant about participating and being involved with school nutrition associations to keep up with ever-changing trends, policies and other operators whom she leans on for answers and support.
Over the past few years, Erman has not only attended state and national conferences, but also has been involved in training sessions in which she educated other nutrition services operators on some of the best practices at the district, allowing others to potentially use the shared knowledge to better their districts.
Skilled Trades Services: Gina Matz, Painter; Fullerton School District (18 years of service in current position)
While visiting school sites as a painter, Matz is very cautious and attentive to student safety as she navigates campuses. Matz also brings a smile and positive attitude everywhere she goes. Students are excited to see her, and she serves as a role model for them.
In an industry dominated by men, Matz will outwork, outhustle and outlast all her colleagues, serving as an example to not only female students but all students.
– Submitted by California Department of Education
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.