Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Generosity recognized: Emerson Shaw

Emerson Shaw honored as Senior of Distinction

Emerson Shaw, who graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1933, was named Senior of Distinction in ceremonies at The Terraces May 22. The honor went to Shaw in large part for his generosity in initiating a program at the high school to send students to Close-Up Washington, D.C., a hands-on experience in American government.

He told those attending the champagne reception that he had attended a senior version of Close-Up and thought that sponsoring a teenager to attend one for high school students would be a way he could return something to his alma mater.

The idea quickly grew to include sponsorship of six students, each earning a portion of his or her own expenses. That was three years ago. Recently, through the Los Gatos Rotary Club, which Shaw has been a member of for the past 18 years, the program has been expanded, and Shaw has made a major financial commitment to keep the scholarship ongoing.

In addition to his work with Rotary and the Close-Up program, Shaw, a retired NASA-Ames photographer, has volunteered at both the Forbes Mill History Museum and the Tait Avenue museum for some 22 years, and he's active with the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department's Volunteers in Policing.

The Seniors of Distinction Award is sponsored by The Terraces of Los Gatos and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. This year marked its second as a communitywide effort to recognize seniors for their many contributions to the town. Previously, it was an internal program of The Terraces.

Recognized this year with honorable mentions were Susan Boyd and Doris Prince.

Boyd has been active with the League of Women Voters, serving as the local chapter's secretary, voter-services chairwoman and fund development chairwoman. She's also active with the American Association of University Women, currently serving as chairwoman of international relations. Boyd is also active in the police department's VIP program.

Prince, a resident of The Terraces, is a recipient of the Soroptimist International's Women Helping Women award and has been active at The Terraces, organizing and providing leadership for several programs and activities. She also participates in several groups at The Terraces that provide musical entertainment for the assisted living and nursing care areas at the facility.

Nominations for the Seniors of Distinction are submitted by members of the community. To be eligible, a person must be at least 65 and a resident of Los Gatos or Monte Sereno.

Judges were Bill Cilker of Cilker Orchards; Ted Simonson, principal of Los Gatos High School; Linda Lubeck, mayor of Los Gatos; Pam Bancroft, community relations manager of The Terraces; and Dale Bryant, editor of the Weekly-Times.

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