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Apr 23, 2008 8:19 pm US/Pacific
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Sharing Inspiration and Art With South Bay Kids
Jefferson Award Winner: Kathryn Longtin
(CBS 5)
The first thing Kathryn Longtin tackled as a full-time volunteer for Allen at Steinbeck Elementary school was the walls. She painted them. And she was only just getting started.
"This is a place you want to come sit and enjoy and relish the whole thought of the arts and the color," Kathryn explains.
Walking through the school's library, now awash with color, it's hard to believe it was once a sterile beige building.
"The walls were vanilla when we moved in," says teacher Leslie Frieden. "(Kathryn) made them homey. She painted them. She put paper on the walls. She made curtains. And what's amazing is, she has no children here at this school. And she has given all of this time!"
Kathryn's children are now grown. She first started volunteering when they were small and art was being cut from many school budgets.
She says, "I knew that if my kids were going to have art, it was up to me to make sure. But it wasn't just about my kids, it's about all children. It's so important to not let the arts fade."
Kathryn was instrumental in getting the PTA to fund a comprehensive art program at the school, bringing art history together with hands-on classes. First grade teacher Maria Dar says without Kathryn's work, she couldn't offer this level of art.
"The kids are so engaged in this classroom and they're so active in this classroom," Maria says. "It just brings out their creativity and that's what the kids need, not just simply math, writing, and reading."
Kindergarten through fifth-graders and students with special needs all participate. Kathryn recruited and trained scores of parents to help, like Hamid Mahmoudi.
"It's marvelous," says Hamid. 'They work really with their heart, you know -- the teacher, the principal, everybody! They have their heart in this."
Kathryn adds, "I don't know how you could walk into this school and not feel this tremendous energy and not realize it's the arts."
For thirteen years, Kathryn has volunteered to bring art to children. She's had to overcome shrinking school budgets and bureaucracy. But last fall, she faced her biggest challenge.
"I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, stage 3," she says.
Kathryn still managed to start a new ceramics studio and class for the kids.
"She still came every single day unless she was having chemotherapy or radiation," explains Leslie. "She's inspirational!"
Kathryn says, "What better way to spend my time while I wait and see where my life is going? It's wonderful and with wonderful parents and staff, children... it's been a wonderful journey."
For brightening the world of children with her passion for the arts, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Kathryn Longtin.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)