Winters JUSD announces selections to the Second Annual Winters JUSD Hall of Fame 2019

Winters JUSD announces the selections for the Second Annual Winters JUSD Hall of Fame. The individuals were selected from a sizable group of nominees in three different categories: alumni, former employees, and distinguished service community members.

For the alumni category, Gloria Lopez and Tom Pearse have been selected for this honor. Gloria Lopez, a 1970 graduate of Winters High School, attended all Winters JUSD schools. Throughout her years as a student she was actively involved in many clubs in addition to excelling academically. After graduation from high school Gloria pursued a career in education as a Home Economics teacher, a career that spanned 35 years. Post-retirement Gloria took on the role of a selfless and tireless community volunteer in organizations which included: Winters Parent Nursery School, 4H, FFA Ag Boosters, and Winters JUSD Board of Trustees. She currently serves as President of Winters Farm to School Board. Gloria is also a published author with her book and documentary An American Paella: Becoming American While Staying Spanish: A Century of Memories in Winters, California.

Tom Pearse graduated from Winters High School in 1953 and was a star baseball player during his high school years. He continued playing baseball at San Jose State University. After college he pursued a teaching career in Clarksburg in addition to teaching and coaching football and baseball at Laney College. Tom was inducted in the Junior College Coaches Hall of Fame. He also served as a scout for the Florida Marlins baseball team.

For the Employee category, Germaine Hupe has been selected for this honor. Germaine retired from Winters JUSD in 2001 after 29 years as an English teacher at Winters High School. Germaine’s activities at Winters High School were many: Academic Decathlon Team coach, California Scholarship Federation (CSF) advisor, class advisor, and supporter of American Field Service (AFS) program. For many years Germaine has been an active member of the Winters Community Theatre starring in and directing numerous plays. Germaine continues her dedication to local theater.

For the Distinguished Service category, Patty Rominger was selected for this honor. Patty is the founding president of Winters Farm to School, a program that raises funds to provide fresh local produce for the District’s food program, educates children about the long-term health benefits of healthy eating habits, and reconnects our children to the agricultural heritage in our District. Winters Farm to School contributes funding to the District’s Lunch Program and the weekly Kids Farmers Market. Patty is a tireless fundraiser for Winters Farm to School and a weekly supporter at the Kids Farmers Market and the school gardens at Waggoner and Rominger campuses. The Winters Joint Unified School District is very fortunate and thankful to have Patty as a dedicated supporter of our students.