By Nidya Rivera-Moreno

San Diego Unified School District recognizes four City National Bank employees for their continued volunteerism at local school

On May 8 during the annual CommunityPartner Recognition Ceremony, fourCity National Bank employees wererecognized by the San Diego UnifiedSchool District for their continueddedication to Golden Hill School of Art &Media.

Along with several private institutions,members of the military and local seniorcenters, City National volunteers werepublicly acknowledged with a standingovation and presented with an award fortheir ongoing commitment to promotingliteracy and education.

Once a month, Tom Fink, SteveOrejudos, Rodney Arnayro and NidyaRivera-Moreno, volunteer to read tochildren ages five to ten at Golden Hill’sFamily Reading Fridays, where, forwork related reasons, many parents andrelatives are unable to attend.

“I only wish I had more time to read,”said Tom Fink. “Not only is it importantto be a positive role model, but evenmore important to teach the kids at anearly age that education is the key tosuccess.”

Golden Hill recently became a K-8school, giving the volunteers a widerange of reading levels to interact with.Tom volunteers at a fifth grade classwhere reading is essential for passingproficiency exams. Steve and Rodneyvolunteer in a fourth and third gradeclass, where reading isn’t just part of the

curriculum, but “about having lots of fun,” saidRodney.

Nidya reads to a bilingual kindergarten classand tutors the children to read in bothlanguages. “They are a blast and always havefunny stories to tell me,” she says. “I can’tbelieve I was that tiny once. It truly isfascinating to see how much they absorbwhen one takes the time to teach them.”

Top: Steve Orejudos, Tom Fink, Blue, Nidya Rivera-Moreno, Rodney Arnayro.

Bottom: Rodney and Nidya reading to kindergarten class.

05/2008