The community building was packed March 19th as Mount Shasta’s Chamber of Commerce named its business, citizen, not for profit organization, exceptional educator and outstanding youth of the year 2009.
This years awards turned out to be a great representation of what our mountain community has to offer: a ski resort that drives winter tourism, medical professionals who go above and beyond in their civic duty, a flourishing art community, excellent educators and young adults with great potential.
Business of the year 2009
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
The Mt. Shasta Ski Park is one of the last family owned ski parks in the nation. Everyone who visits the park has access to the owners and is greeted with a smile and genuine appreciation for their patronage. They offer ski and board runs for every level of ability and age group at a fair price and outstanding conditions.
The Mt. Shasta Ski Park employs approximately 300 people from our community, giving the locals income that they in turn support other local businesses with. The Mt. Shasta Ski Park brings in patronage from all over California and neighboring states. They support all area high schools and host the State Championships.
Citizen of the year 2009
Dr. David Holst
Dr. Holst moved to Mount Shasta in 1995 to work with Siskiyou Medical Group as a family physician specializing in obstetrics and has since delivered over 750 babies in Siskiyou County.
Holst served as the Chief of Physicians Committee for three years and as Chief of Staff for two years at Mercy Medical Center. He is also a volunteer physician for the crisis pregnancy center.
In his involvement with the community youth he coaches baseball and soccer, hosts a weekly community youth group and hosts 5th Quarters, a post game party for all Mount Shasta High School students. As a board member of the Good Samaritan’s Home Ministries, Holst went on a mission trip to India in Nov. 2008 to support their children’s home and medical clinic, widows and lepers.
As a member of the First Baptist Church, Dr. Holst teaches Sunday school, acts as a high school youth group leader, provides services to the homeless and leads mission trips to Mexico.
Not for Profit of the year 2009
Siskiyou Arts Council
The Siskiyou Arts Council has been a leading force in Siskiyou County since 1972 in encouraging and enabling artistic expression. Their mission is “to value creativity, promote education and excite our community’s participation in the visual, performing and literary arts.”
To this end, SAC has organized, funded and sponsored numerous art shows, performances and community events. Over 300 people, children and adults, participated in creating the Peace Mural located behind the Visitor’s Center.
In early 2009, SAC opened Siskiyou Arts Council Gallery & Cultural Center at 418 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. Within they have hosted art exhibits including the Patron of the Arts High School Invitational, Bras for a Cause, Artists of the Month and various art related workshops.
SAC has also been fundamental with Poetry Out Loud, Art Matters, the Siskiyou Arts Bus, Toddler Movement and Music, Juvenile Justice and the Family Fun Night Talent Show.
SAC has awarded Siskiyou County artists over $3,500 in grants in 2009 through their Grants and Gifts program.
Exceptional educator of the year 2009
Toni Erro
Toni Erro has been teaching at Mount Shasta High School for 15 years. During that time, she has taught freshman English, senior honors English and creative writing.
She was born in Weed, and attended school there from kindergarten through high school. Erro always knew she wanted to be a teacher and, as a result, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in English from Southern Oregon University. Obtaining her secondary credential and multiple subject credential was especially enjoyable because she completed her student teaching in the Mount Shasta school system.
Erro said she feels very fortunate to have lived here and to have been able to raise her family in Siskiyou County.
Erro’s husband, Mark, is also a teacher at MSHS. He teaches public speaking and physical education. They have four children and two grandchildren.
Outstanding youth award of the year 2009
Sydney Miller
Sydney has lived in Mount Shasta for all of her 17 years. She is an attendant to Innerspark, the California State Summer School for the Arts, a four year counselor at French Creek Outdoor School, the head choreographer for two Sisson Middle School plays, a Link Crew menton and peer advisor, ETS student ambassador, Associated Student Body activities director, and is the director and founder of the Bear Necessities, a community service program at MSHS.
Sydney has worked at the Siskiyou Ice Rink and at the Echo Lake Chalet as a licensed for-hire boat taxi driver for the state of California.
Sydney was honored as Rotary Student of the Month in December 2009, and has a total of 450 hours of community service during her four years of high school.
The holiday season is upon us. Soon we’ll not only be hearing the jingling bells and the singing of carols, but also the ringing of cash registers as the holiday season gets into full swing.
