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Video Produced by www.AvistaVideo.com LaVerne T. Williams Hanks “It takes a village to raise a child,” and if Albuquerque is such a village, LaVerne Hanks has proven herself as its matriarch. As a teacher and guidance counselor who spent 24 years in the Albuquerque Public School system, Hanks demonstrated her |
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leadership and professionalism in directing youth in short- and long-term education goals. She participated in statewide efforts to close the achievement gap between African American students and non-minorities, and she proved herself as a priceless resource for dozens of community organizations and institutions. Hanks has worked tirelessly to raise money to support scholarship opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth and has engaged students, parents and faith-based organizations to ensure that Albuquerque’s children receive proper attention, solid advice and community support as they pursue educational and career endeavors. Outside of her official associations with sororities, Bible fellowships and various women’s programs, Hanks has made the extra effort to assist in the less publicized ways, such as cooking for elders, assisting ill people requiring care and helping children in need of such necessities as clothing. According to Dr. Harold Bailey, one of several locals who nominated Hanks, not only does she deserve the nomination, but adding her to the list of winners “can only add to the prestige of the Silver Horizons’ Senior Hall of Fame.” |
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Video Produced by www.AvistaVideo.com Herman Mauney Herman Mauney has been described as having “quiet wisdom” but “unwavering passion” through his years of involvement within the Albuquerque community. A man of many hats, Mauney has worked with ARCA as a servant to hundreds of infants, children, adults and |
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seniors with development disabilities; he has worked with Presbyterian Hospital to erect a “playground in the sky” that extends as an open-air balcony from the Children’s Unit on the sixth floor, providing children a place to sit in the sun and breath fresh air as they are treated for life-threatening diseases; and through philanthropic endeavors across the spectrum Mauney has “inspired ordinary people to join together and accomplish extraordinary tasks,” according to one supporter. After graduating from North Carolina State University with honors in electrical engineering and later finishing his graduate studies in Business Administration at the University of New Mexico, Mauney worked his way up the ranks at Sandia National Laboratories, where he retired as Director of Systems Evaluations after 38 years. Since his retirement, he has volunteered with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, serving on its foundation board for six years. He has held positions on the national board of the American Cut Glass Association, the Heights Optimist Club of Albuquerque and the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. His community involvement is miles long, and the consensus from his peers paints a glowing portrait of a compassionate and devoted public servant. |
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Video Produced by www.AvistaVideo.com Bobbie Nobles Retired Air Force Officer Bobbie Nobles has been an activist, a supporter, a volunteer and a fund raiser of unmatched dedication to the Asian community. He began working with the Vietnamese community not long after the fall of Saigon when he immersed himself |
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in the culture in Vietnam and served as an advisor to pilots in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. Nobles has similarly applied himself locally helping hundreds of Vietnam era refugees make new lives in New Mexico. Later he was one of the founders and served as secretary of the Asian American Association, which comprises Albuquerque residents from numerous Asian nations. He has been instrumental in organizing the annual Festival of Asian Cultures event in town, and he helped create the first Asian Heritage Day at the state legislature several years ago. “While his ethnicity may not be of Asian descent, Mr. Nobles embraces the humility and cultural values of the Asian people, and has taken the time to learn about the traditions and customs of each of the individual communities, including their language,” the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League said in its nomination for Nobles. Nobles’ most recent project was to complete an Asian Cultural Center at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. And it was through his efforts that the South Vietnamese Commandos who had raided a North Vietnamese POW camp received U.S. military decorations. |
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Video Produced by www.AvistaVideo.com Chester French Stewart Chester French Stewart hasn’t made a lot of noise during his 40-plus years as a business owner, church deacon and philanthropist in Albuquerque, but his contributions, his values and his devotion to the community are always on display as one of this city’s most revered members. |
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Through his associations with the Elks Lodge, Rotary, United Way of New Mexico, the Better Business Bureau and dozens more community organizations, Stewart has exemplified the ethics, values, compassion and leadership embodied in Silver Horizons Hall of Fame nominees. “When the word ‘integrity’ was coined, the author wrote of Chet,” his executive assistant at French Mortuary, Mary Ann Hathaway, said in nominating Stewart for the annual honor. With charitable donations and involvement, Stewart has been a caring leader for the most vulnerable residents of this community, and “his kindness and cheerful spirit are an inspiration to all who know him,” Paul Hopkins wrote. Stewart’s responsibilities have ranged from president of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association to member of the Chamber of Commerce, with involvement in the Kirtland Partnership Committee, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management Foundation Board in between. For those who have been blessed to know Stewart, it is clear that a more selfless person is difficult to find. |
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