SACRAMENTO – On January 22, 2005, Sylvia Huntington, a retired schoolteacher from Hanford, was presented with the California Lottery's “Heroes in Education” award on “The Big Spin®” show.
For years, Ms. Huntington has been helping out underprivileged students at Gardenside Elementary School in Hanford. She has done this by initiating an all-volunteer tutoring team, whose members visit Gardenside’s students once a week, after school, for “one-on-one” tutoring. Throughout the week, Ms. Huntington stays in contact with teachers and administrators to find out which subjects and skills each student needs extra help with. This gives Ms. Huntington and her team of 15 volunteers the opportunity to prepare for the tutoring sessions, maximizing their time with the students.
Ms. Huntington and the other volunteers not only help these students with their studies, they also bring them juice and snacks, letting the students know that they are genuinely cared for; ultimately contributing to better grades and a better chance for future successes in life.
On hand to honor Ms. Huntington was Barbara Eden who starred in numerous television shows including How To Marry A Millionaire, Harper Valley PTA and Dallas. She is best known for playing the role as the beautiful genie in a bottle, on the classic television sit-com I Dream of Jeanie.
The California Lottery’s “Heroes in Education” award has been presented monthly on “The Big Spin®” show, since 1999. The Lottery partners with celebrities to present these awards which recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.