Alice Valverde

Community Service

Alice Valverde arrived in Manteca in 1946 with her family. In 1964, she was blessed with the birth of a special son, Philip, who arrived with Downs Syndrome. As a result of having her life enriched, Ms. Valverde was instrumental in the formation of the John McFaII School in Manteca, as well as Manteca C.A.P.S. (Community Action Programs and Services). She is a charter member and served for ten years with the Hanot Foundation in Lockeford, which provides a home-like residence to mentally retarded adults in a warm, supportive, and loving environment that is the least restrictive for the individual resident. Her goal has been to provide programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Her goal has been realized in our community.

Mrs. Valverde’s efforts became visible in 1967 when she organized a recreation program for children with developmental disabilities; this effort was called "Manteca Students for Exceptional Children." This group met every Saturday at the Manteca High School gymnasium with coaches and high school students who volunteered to help.

Another one of her projects was POSE (Parents of Students Exceptional). This group consisted of parents of students who attended the Stockton Manford Development Center. At that time, the Manford Center was the only facility m the area that could accommodate her son Philip. POSE later established the "Alice Valverde Scholarship Fund."

Alice has received many awards for her work promoting the living standards for persons with developmental disabilities. She has been recognized by the Manteca Soroptimists, Manteca CAPS, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Hanot Foundation, and the San Joaquin County Division of the California Teachers Association.

Her involvement with these organizations has been documented by the Manteca Bulletin, the Manteca News, and the Stockton Record, as well as the Channel 13 “Morning Scene." Her son Philip passed away In 1987. He was the catalyst that launched Alice Valverde’s tireless efforts at improving educational and social opportunities for people with developmental disabilities in our community. We are honoring her for her relentless efforts to initiate and achieve this goal.

Bill Pinto

Education

William Pinto moved to Manteca from Oakland as a small child. He attended Lindbergh School and graduated from Manteca High School in 1944. In 1945 he entered the United States Navy and served until his discharge in 1946. After World War II, Mr. Pinto returned to Manteca and attended the College of the Pacific in Stockton. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Education in 1950 and a Masters Degree in Education in 1951.

Shortly after graduation, he began his long and illustrious career in the Manteca public school system. He first served as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School and by 1954 he quickly rose lo the administrative ranks as principal at Lindbergh School. In June of 1966 he was given the assignment of opening Shasta School as its first principal, a position he kept until his retirement in 1987.

Mr. Pinto devoted 36 years to education, resulting in a positive impact on numerous children, teachers, and parents. Mr, Pinto was perhaps one of the most respected and influential educators in the District. He recognized the importance of developing future leaders, be it a student or teacher. He was always a true advocate of the student and worked positively with parents and teachers to bring out the best in every child. He motivated staff to excel and take on leadership roles to improve the educational program in Manteca Unified School District.

Since his retirement, Mr. Pinto has remained active in his community. He is a founding member of Manteca Historical Society and the tutoring program, Give Every Child a Chance. In 1992 Mr. Pinto was inducted into the Manteca High School Hall of Fame in recognition of longtime contributions to education in Manteca.

Glenn Kahl

Business

Glenn and his wife Mary Lou settled in Manteca in 1960 while he was in the US. Army, stationed at Stockton Airport with an aviation unit. He was to make his mark in the Manteca business community through photography and journalism.

The Manteca District Chamber of Commerce appointed him its secretary-manager after he was discharged from the army. It was a year later that he was hired by Manteca Bulletin publisher George Murphy to work as a news photographer for that paper. KahI had been employed as a public relations photographer for the airlines at Los Angeles International Airport prior to his military service.

After four years at the Manteca Bulletin he worked as a county editor for the Santa Paula Daily Chronicle, Editor of the Daily Press, Victorville, Bureau Chief, San Bernardino County News Service, and as a general assignment reporter to the San Bernardino Sun-Telegram. He was offered the position of news-editor back at the Bulletin in 1969 - a post he held until 1975.

Kahl went into business for himself in 1975. opening a portrait/commercial photography studio across the street from the Manteca Post Office. Four years later he moved his studio location to Yosemite and Lincoln Avenues where it operates today. He has photographed countless community events and individuals since coming to Manteca. He also serves as a publicist for his church. More importantly, are the students who learned about the business world working in his studio after school and on weekends.

He has been a serious contributor to the Manteca Historical Museum with pictures of the past - some that he has taken and others he has copied or restored for display during his 40 years in the community. Kahl likes to use Manteca as a backdrop for his portraits. Who has not seen him around town with his camera and tripod over his shoulder and a client in tow looking for the perfect background?

Community activities and awards include: Manteca Rotary Club, past president; Manteca Toastmasters, organizing charter president; Best Front Page award, The Manteca Bulletin; Rotarian of the Year 1991-92; Who’s Who in Business; and a Rotary International Governor's award for Outstanding Service to the Community.

Glenn and Mary Lou have three sons and a daughter: Steve, Scott, Sharon, and Tim - all college graduates and successes in their own vocations.

Larry E. Lenschmidt

Arts

After three years serving in the U. S. Air Force, Larry Lenschmidt had a 23-year career with the State of California and arrived in Manteca in 1983. This renowned stained glass artist has become as enthusiastic about his community as he is about his art. He has been most generous with his time, artistic contributions, and his assistance in fund-raising activities for nearly every charitable organization in San Joaquin County. He is, or has been, a member of a number of groups in the community and in the area. A partial list includes the San Joaquin Crisis Center, Stained Glass Association of America, Manteca Historical Society, Manteca Artists Guild, Mayor's Committee on the Arts, Manteca Downtown Merchants Association, and Noon Rotary Club.

Educated in the Bay Area, including the University of California where he majored in Art and Business, Larry has won at art shows at the local, county, and national levels. This award-winning stained glass artist was an instructor in Advanced Stained Glass Design at Modesto Junior College and also taught at Sierra High School.

In 1991, he designed and made six stained glass windows for the United Lutheran Church in Manteca. This is the only set of three-dimensional stained glass windows in the world.

At his local design center, he continues to give instruction in the art of stained glass to hundreds of individuals who have gone on to become stained glass business owners in their own right.

Lloyd Henry

Health Care

Dr. Lloyd L. Henry was born in Manteca on December 7, 1908 and lived here all of his life. Attending Summer Home Grammar School and graduated from Manteca Union High School in 1926. He was active in all High School events, being Student Body President, President of his class, and the Athletic Society. Following graduation, he entered the University of California College of Dentistry and graduated in 1930. He then took a post-graduate course at the same institution, specializing in Orthodontics. He was a member of the Psi Omega Fraternity of Dentists throughout the country. He married another Manteca native and Manteca High School graduate. Winnie Black. They had two children, a daughter, Carola and a son, Lloyd Jr.

In May of 1931, Dr. Henry took over the dental practice of Dr. A.J. Donogh. Then in November of the same year, he moved his practice to the second floor of the brick building on the southwest comer of Main and Yosemite. which he shared with the Masonic Lodge, an attorney, and Justice of the Peace.

He served on the Manteca Planning Commission, Chamber of Commerce Board, CIVIC Affairs Committee, and Manteca Union High School Board for two terms. He served as a trustee of the San Joaquin Local Health District; a long time member of the Republican Central Committee; served on the committee to secure a local Community hospital; and later served on its board of directors. As a staunch supporter of the Manteca Public Library, he served on the building committee, helping to gain financial support. He was a past president of the Manteca Businessmen's Association; a member of the local 20-30 club; and a long time member of the Manteca lions Club. He also served a number of years on the San Joaquin County Mental Health Services Advisory Board.

Well-known and respected as a local dentist for almost 50 years, Dr. Henry faithfully served his patients through good times and bad, Especially during the depression years, his services were often paid with livestock and farm products and then .... many times, not at all. He very quietly, without fanfare, took care of so many needy patients. Dr, Lloyd L Henry passed away in 1980.

Priscilla H. Haynes

Government

Priscilla Haynes was born in Oakland in 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. William Jensen. After graduating from the University of California during World War Il, she entered the U. S. Army as an intelligence specialist. After the war, she obtained her law degree from Hastings School of Law.

In 1952, she was appointed a deputy district attorney for San Joaquin County, the first woman to serve in that position. Four years later, she was appointed to serve as Judge of the Manteca Ripon-Escalon District Court, the first woman to do so. Subsequently, she also became the first woman appointed to the Judicial Council of the State of California.

Her greatest contributions must be her commitment to turning around the lives of so many delinquent juveniles. She used her time and talents to help the young with what today would be termed tough love. She was known as a judge who ruled the bench with dignity and firmness, but also with fairness.

Judge Haynes actively supported the local public library and was the keynote speaker at the dedication of the new building in January, 1962. She also worked to secure the Manteca Ripon-Escalon Court Building and officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony of that facility in Manteca. While in Manteca, she was a member of numerous local, county, and state service and professional organizations.

Now 82 years young, retired and living in Grass Valley, Judge Haynes continues helping, counseling, and caring for the young and the elderly of her community.

Raymond Honodel

At Large

Raymond Honodel has lived, worked, reared a family and contributed to the community of Manteca for over seventy-live years. In May of 2004, he will celebrate his one-hundredth birthday. As a pharmacist and businessman, he employed many Mantecan's and contributed generously to community charities and fundraisers.

Mr. Honodel has been a member of Manteca Noon Kiwanis and is a dedicated member of the Masonic fraternal organization as a 32nd degree master mason. He is a seventy-seven year member of DeMolay and continues as a member of the Ben All Shrine Chapter in the area. His continued membership in these organizations illustrates his service to the community of Manteca.

Raymond Honodel was educated in Chico, California, graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and took college credits at Chico State University prior to graduation. He then attended the University of Southern California and graduated in 1923. He was licensed by the State of California as a pharmacist by 1925 when he reached the age of twenty-one.

Long before vitamins became seen as essential to health, Mr. Honodel developed an original food chart pyramid showing the recommended serving portions of carbohydrates, fats and protein. The original chart has been published and displayed throughout the years at various convention and county fairs.

Raymond Honodel has been a long-time contributor to the culture and development of the Manteca that he has served with dignity and honor. He is truly an outstanding member of the Manteca Hall of Fame.

Robert (Bob) Brocchini

Agriculture

Bob Brocchini was born in 1947 to Albert and Rina Brocchini. A product of Manteca schools, he graduated in 1969 from California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo). Bob claims his father gave him the worst jobs on the family farm in order to discourage him from farming. However, Bob knew he wanted to be a farmer and set his goal in that direction.

Upon graduation from college, Bob joined the family business full-time and took a leadership role. Brocchini Brothers controlled 1300 acres, consisting of a variety of row crops, almonds and grapes. The farm has expanded to 3500 acres since that time. The varied crops grown and marketed by the Brocchini farming operation include apples, onions, tomatoes, alfalfa, sugar beets, bell peppers, pimientos, carrots, chives, walnuts, table beets, dahlias, watermelons, corn, kidney beans, black-eyes, cherries, strawberries, and cucumbers.

Bob has been active in the community and in the farming industry. He has been: President of the Manteca Lions Club; President of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation; District 12 Director of the California Farm Bureau Federation; Chairman of the American Farm Bureau Labor Committee; a member of several Farm Bureau Committees; President of the Ripon Livestock Boosters; a Director on the Boys & Girls Club Board; Director on the Doctors Hospital Governing Board; Delta National Bank Director; California Association of Winegrape Growers Director; Member of the Winegrape Inspection Advisory Committee; and a Founding Member and Charter President of the Central Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

In addition, Bob has spent four years coaching the Ripon FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team and Brocchini Farms has provided scholarships to Ripon High School graduating seniors and scholarships for students to attend the National FFA Convention.