Wells Middle School Band Director Erik Bertelson Honored as Dublin Citizen of the Year
One of the enduring traditions in Dublin carried on tonight in the form of the annual Volunteer Recognition Event. This program seeks to recognize a Young Citizen, an Organization and Citizen of the Year. On Wednesday, a crowd gathered at the Shannon Center to applaud all of the nominees for 2014. In order to be under consideration, a candidate must have a written nomination submitted by others to City Hall in a timely fashion.
The nomination letter must spell out why the individual/group is worthy under the required characteristics of the Dublin Pride – Integrity in Action motto. These qualities include: Responsibility, Respectfulness, Caring, Giving, Positive Attitude, Trustworthiness, Cooperation, Doing One’s Best, Honesty and Self-Discipline. As in years past, the judging of these nominations is conducted outside of Dublin to provide complete transparency.
The scene at Shannon was simple, yet elegant. The Hors d’oeuvres and social mixer was conducted in the first hour. After opening comments from Mayor David Haubert, the audience listened to a welcoming from Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative from the 15th Congressional District.
Three very worthy candidates were announced in the category of Young Citizen of the Year. They included: Sophia Bafaiz, Armaan Sengupta and Alexandara Torrez. In the end, Sophia was awarded with this honor.
Similarly, the candidates in the Citizen of the Year segment included Erik Bertelson, Brad & Shari Jackman and Luanne Wilson. The result of this competition yielded Wells Middle School Music Director Erik Bertelson. Erik has been the leader of the band program at WMS for decades. During his tenure, the band program has grown both musically and in scope. In March, he will lead 162 students to their annual pilgrimage to Disneyland and their march down Main Street. He has been recognized as being a leader of young students and musicians – many of whom return to Wells to offer their support of the program. We congratulate Erik and his wife Mary on this remarkable honor. The only remaining challenge will be to determine who will lead the Wells Middle School Roadrunners down Village Parkway while Mr. Bertelson rides in an honorary car during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In the final category of the Mayor’s Award, Brad & Shari Jackman were recognized for their numerous and tireless years in supporting DUSD and specifically, the Dublin High School Athletics Program. OneDublin.org would like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees. Your service to the community is gratefully appreciated.
OneDublin.org 
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