Outstanding community volunteer Judy Hannemann is a trustee for the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. Superintendent Rich Fischer presented the 2005 Challenge Team Champion for Youth award to her last Thursday.

“Would everyone please stand?” Rich Fischer commanded the 100-plus breakfasters at Michael’s at Shoreline May 12. They were on hand to support the Mountain View-Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Challenge Team and to recognize their annual honoree for outstanding volunteer leadership.

Fischer continued by asking categories of people to sit down: those who had never done volunteer work (no one sat down); those who had never coached youth sports (several sat down); those who had never belonged to the American Association of University Women (more sat); those who had never been a Los Altos School District trustee (most sat down); those who had never been president of Rotary (more sat); those who had never been a Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School trustee - and only one person was left standing: Judy Hannemann. She had filled all those roles thoughout her many years of serving the community, and she was the 2005 honoree.

Fischer then explained the purpose of the Challenge Team annual awards, which single out those who have given extraordinary service to the community. Her years of selfless volunteering in so many areas made Hannemann the logical choice this year.

The Challenge Team, launched in 1987, was the local response to the challenge presented to communities in our state by the California State Attorney General’s office. The team addresses the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related problems locally. Member agencies include school boards, school administrators, police officers, PTA representatives, service club members and other service groups. Gay Krause is chairwoman.

Joe Ike, KFRC On-Air Personality, was keynote speaker. He reminded everyone that the job of helping at-risk youth will never go away, and he saluted the important job being done by Challenge Team.