Los Alamitos Elementary School has honored Thea Rodrigue, a volunteer and school parent, as its 2019-20 Hero of the Heart in a presentation before the Los Alamitos Unified School Board.
“I can’t thank her enough for all of the time, energy, and dedication to helping all of our students receive an all-around incredible educational experience,” said Principal Gary Willems.
Willems said Rodrigue, mother of twin fifth graders at LAE, spent four years volunteering at the school five days a week and has been instrumental in making events like Fit-A-Thon, Movie Night, Reading Challenge, and Starry Night successful. Under her leadership as president of the Friends of LAE fundraising group, she helped raised over $100,000 in her last year to make sure every student at LAE went on field trips, attended Outdoor Science School, and was able to use technology, Willems said. “Our students now have access to so many things that would not have been possible without the hard work of Thea.”
In accepting the award, Rodrigue said that “being at LAE has been the best thing that happened for me and my family.” People often asked her how she managed to volunteer so much, she said. “I have a full-time job. I have twins. I’m a single mom. But it didn’t ever feel like work because I have a community that loves LAE just as much as I do.”
Courtesy photo