Maureen Wauters has done so much to help out in schools that Los Alamitos High Principal Dr. Gregg Stone had to write an epic, 13-stanza poem to praise her two decades of volunteer work and honor her as the high school’s 2019 Hero of the Heart.
Speaking to the Los Alamitos Unified School Board, Stone said Wauters began volunteering at Hopkinson Elementary in Rossmoor even before her sons had entered school and served in many capacities including president of the school’s fund-raising group.
She moved on to Oak Middle School with her sons and helped out with school events such as Pi Day, 6th Grade Social, Back to School luncheons, and eighth-grade promotion ceremony. She served as PTSA treasurer and vice-president and is a recipient of that organization’s Honorary Service Award.
At Los Alamitos High School, Wauters was instrumental in organizing Grad Nights, fall class registration and the cross-country team banquet among many events. She moved up to executive vice-president of PTSA and president of the golf team boosters.
Stone said Wauters is a regular at athletic contests and drama, band, and choir performances. “Maureen supports all students; that is all she knows.”
When not helping out at the high school, he added, Wauters is active in Pony Baseball, Scouts and We Care.
“Over many years Maureen has helped so many and gone the extra mile,” Stone wrote in concluding his poem. “She does this with humility, care, and dedication, and always with a smile.”
In accepting the honor, Wauters said, “I really do it for the kids. So, if you know any kindergarten or first grade parents, tell them to get involved. They won’t regret it.”