Alverno teacher honored for science service
Alverno High School math teacher Phyllis Vandeventer recently received the Youth Science Center 2007 Service Award for building the vision, mission and policies which has made the YSC summer program a success.

At a recent awards and gala celebration, Vandeventer received commendations from the California State Assembly, Los Angeles County, the State Board of Equalization, and the Diamond Bar City Council as well as the YSC Service Award.

As head of the program in Hacienda Heights since 1995, Vandeventer's creative program has enriched the lives of thousands of children throughout the San Gabriel Valley and sparked their interest in the sciences.

Vandeventer often calls on Alverno students to help promote and explain science to younger kids at Science Center booths. Recently at the Arcadia Water Festival, Alverno girls showed youngsters how to properly handle snakes, bearded dragons, tarantulas and other unusual creatures.

A violinist with the La Mirada and Bellflower Symphony Orchestras, Vandeventer also received the Teacher of the Year Award from Sierra Madre Rotary last May.