Dolores Barela was honored for her 45 years of service during the Thursday, August 15th meeting of the district's Board of Trustees. Pictured from left are Superintendent Peter Livingston, board members Tom Courtney and Jessica Risler, Dolores Barela, board president Chelsea LaGrange, board vice-president Jason Hansen and board member Jim Harvey. Photo by Olga Fisher
Dolores Barela, the longest serving educator in the Lucerne Valley Unified School District, was honored at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting for 45 years of service. Superintendent Peter Livingston gave a heartfelt tribute to Mrs. Barela as co-workers, teachers, students and district administrators cheered in support.
“It is my great honor to introduce a woman whose dedication, heart, and hard work have left an unforgettable mark on our schools and our community — Dolores Barela,” Mr. Livingston said. “For an astounding 45 years, Dolores has been a pillar of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District. In her current role as Operations Assistant, she has supported countless students, teachers, staff members, and families, guiding our district through decades of change while keeping our focus firmly on what matters most — our children.”
Dolores Barela has made a difference at Lucerne Valley Elementary School for more than four decades. Photo courtesy Lucerne Valley Elementary
Mrs. Barela and her husband Edward Barela came to Lucerne Valley more than 50 years ago as her husband took a position with Pfizer Minerals, now Mitsubishi Cement Corporation. The Barelas raised three children and now have a number of grandkids and great-grandchildren.
“Dolores,” Mr. Livingston continued, “your service has been more than just a career — it has been a calling. You have been a source of stability, kindness, and wisdom for generations. On behalf of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees I want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication, your tireless work, and the warmth you’ve brought to everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside you.
“Today, on behalf of the entire Lucerne Valley USD family — students, parents, educators, and staff — I extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you, Dolores, for your passion, your perseverance, and above all, your heart. Forty-five years is a remarkable achievement, and your legacy will continue to inspire our district for years to come. Dolores, thank you for being the heart of Lucerne Valley USD. We celebrate you today, and we will carry your example forward into the future.”