Yesterday we told you about four IUSD workers who earned Classified Employee of the Year honors for 2011, but the identity of the fifth recipient remained something of a mystery because, well, he was out sick. A day later, we all learned that IUSD's final Classified Employee of the Year is none other than – drumroll, please! – Julio Manzo, the hard-working head custodian who has earned superhero status at Stone Creek Elementary School. Like his fellow recipients, Manzo was notified by a throng of campus visitors – today's group included Board of Education member Gavin Huntley-Fenner, local California School Employees Association President Janelle Cranch, and Assistant Superintendents Lisa Howell and Terry Walker – who showed up during a schoolwide evacuation drill. Applause broke out the second his name was announced. “I’m just overwhelmed,” Manzo said, after staff draped a royal cape over his shoulders. “There are people who are qualified for this, who deserve it more than I do, but I’m grateful for the recognition.” Students and staff also presented Manzo with a custom T-shirt featuring a Superman logo and the words, “Mr. Julio, our superhero.” Once again, congratulations to all of this year’s winners. To read brief profiles on each, click here.
