School District Honors Eagle Scout and Lion of the Year

The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees honored the Diamond Bar High School Partner in Education, Eagle Scout, and 2012 Lions of the Year at its’ Sept. 19 meeting.

Local Clark Rucker was recognized with the Partners in Education Award for his ongoing support of Diamond Bar High School and the Walnut Valley Unified School District.

During his introduction, Diamond Bar High School Principal Catherine Real shared a few of Clark’s stand out qualities that contributed to his selection for the new District award.

Real called Rucker inspirational adding that he inspires others to contribute their time, and to look past differences to form a united parent movement, which has been so instrumental to the school’s success.

“Mr. Rucker is positive and has a hearty and heartfelt laugh that puts everybody as ease. He encourages everybody to stay focused on our ultimate goal - our kids,” Real said. 

He has begun new fundraisers on campus and has helped us see a new reality for fundraising possibilities, district officials said. He is probably best known for his devotion to not only to the high school, but also to the district, Real said.

“As President of the Magnificent 7 Parent Organization, this group is performing at levels they have never performed at before. Clark has been instrumental in helping me achieve the vision for the group – a united but diverse working model of collaboration,” Real said.

“Thank you for this award – but as I say all the time ‘it’s not about me– it’s about the kids,’” Rucker said.

Board Member Cindy Ruiz added that Rucker goes above and beyond his numerous contributions at Diamond Bare High School, while also serving on the District’s Coordinating Council, Director on the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation, and member of Council of African American Parents.

“He participates in the entire community and we are very grateful for that,” Ruiz said.

Diamond Bar High School 2012 graduate Charlie Luber received a Certificate of Special Recognition for achieving the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America  - the Eagle Award.

“If you came to see our musical last year ‘Fiddler on the Roof” - Charlie played our starring role and he was fantastic,” Ruiz said.

Wearing his official uniform and sash filled with merit badges, Luber detailed how he built an 8-foot tall trophy case and 6-foot tall rolling cabinet for the DBHS Band Room for his final Eagle Award project.

Diamond Bar’s Mayor pro-tem Jack Tanaka and his wife Wanda Tanaka were honored as the 2012 Lions of the Year by the Lions Club International.

Board Member Phillip Chen congratulated the “dynamic duo” as he presented a Certificate of Special Recognition.

To put it in perspective of how competitive being named Lions of the Year is – district officials said they were selected from 1.35 million excellent candidates, 46,000 Lions Clubs, and 206 countries throughout the world, he said.

“They have done so many great things for our community and in mentoring over 300 students in the Leo Clubs at Diamond Bar High and over 70 students at Chaparral Middle School,” Chen said.

“Thank you so much for your tireless dedication,” he said.

“It was a fantastic honor to be recognized as Lions of the Year from Lions Club International,” Jack Tanaka said.  Twelve years ago, the couple launched a Leo Club at Chaparral and eleven years ago they formed another club at Diamond Bar High.

Students are involved in a lot of different service activities, not only within the community, but in different communities as well, he explained.

“I think one of the reasons that we were selected is our work with the kids. Lions Clubs also recognize that kids are our future. And by taking care of them today, they’ll be better citizens tomorrow,” he said.