Harry Bettencourt Award

The Harry Bettencourt Character Award recipient has distinguished themselves by their exemplary character and service at the local, state and national levels. This award recognizes an individual of exceptional character and kindness who has contributed significantly to the leadership development of students, teachers, and/or administrators.

One winner will be chosen by each Area Council (A-G) and be submitted to the President and the Executive Director by the Area coordinator no later than December 20. One of the recipients will be named the state award winner and be selected by the CADA Board at the Winter meeting. The state winner must come from (or be retired from) a National Association of Student Councils member school at the time their name is entered into consideration for regional and national recognition. The state winner will then be entered into consideration for regional and national recognition related to Harry Bettencourt. Board members serving on the CADA Board are ineligible to receive the award during their tenure.

2021 CADA harry bettencourt Award Recipients 

AREA A: Ron Jones, retired

Ron Jones was an active member of CADA from 1988 to 2018. He used the “10 Minute Lessons”, music, stories, movies, etc. to teach leadership.

AREA B: monique walton, cesar chavez middle School 

Monique Walton is a 14 year CADA member and 12 year Area B council member. She spent 10 years as an AD and is currently in her 6th year as a Site Leader. She has and continues to lead by and through a lens of equity, activism, and FUN. She hopes that she empowers school communities to commit to that same lens through sustaining positive relationships and safe spaces for students and staff to acknowledge their own capacity to be leaders. In her role as Site Leader, she continues to be a voice for the value that Student Leadership and Athletics has on school climate and academic achievement. Freshen up on 90's dance moves and R&B songs before you see her because she will definitely have a mini dance party on the spot.

AREA C: genel (Wokal) hodges, retired

Genel was an activity director at Trona High School and attended her first CADA conference in 1982. When Harry Bettencourt resigned in 1983, Genel was selected as his replacement as Secretary/Treasurer/Convention Registrar and served until 1989. During that time she worked on the committee to bring back CADA Leadership Camps and served on the staff for many years. In 1992 she was inducted into the CADA Hall of Fame, and in 2000 she received CADA's Jack Moore Award. In 1990, Dr. Earl Reum appointed her Executive Director of the National Association of Workshop Directors, and she served that organization for 25 years where she helped coordinate their annual National Conference on Student Activities. She was presented with a National Earl Reum Award honoring her service in 2014. She was an active member of the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors for over 25 years, and attended and volunteered at some of the National Association of Student Councils annual summer conferences. She was also a presenter at several Fly-Ins sponsored by the National Association of Student Activity Advisors, a part of NASC, and participated in many CADA area conferences. She counts many CADA people as some of her best friends, including Harry Bettencourt, and she was fortunate to be the student activity adviser when Lauretta Eldridge was ASB Secretary at Trona High School.

AREA d: Chuck noroian, retired

TBD

AREA f: tiburcio garcia, retired

Anyone who knows Turbo knows that he is the kindest person. He's always been willing to help out in any situation. He has a great smile and makes people, both adults and kids, feel that they are the most important person in the room. Turbo has been a CADA member 30 years and has contributed in so many ways. He has spent 25 years as a council member, the area coordinator and spent four year progressing through the ranks of the CADA state board. He has served with humor and dignity. Now that he's retired, Turbo is the first to volunteer for duty at any of our conferences. He is willing to help out in any fashion that is needed. Turbo as been at leadership camp both through CADA and through Orange County. He has served in many positions in CADA and in the Orange County sector. Turbo’s mentorship has affected numerous people, from current Activities Directors to CADA state board members. Ask and you shall receive is the best way to describe Turbo. Ask him a question or for help and he is always willing to give you the answer or to find the answer.

AREA g: carol cultrera, retired

Carol Cultrera taught for 36 years in San Diego County. She took over the ASB program her last 10 years and says this was the highlight of her career. She developed a leadership program on her campus that changed the culture of her school. She credits mentors Denise Van Doorn, Don Skaggs and Sandi Kurland for their guidance and inspiration. Her passion for change, improvement and fun not only influenced her students, but administrators, staff, parents and the community as well. Carol has been and continues to be involved with CADA/CASL, Area G Council and numerous organizations. After talking and being around Carol, it is obvious how much she cares and wants to help people.