FIRST Fest

The First Fest Countdown

DAYS HOURS MINUTES

	Clyde P. Smith nominated by Michael Capri (Smith) nomination: In 1966 My Father Clyde P. Smith became the first Black California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer in San Jose and all of Santa Clara County. Unfortunately he passed in 1990 at the young age of 53 due to a medical condition. In 1993 I followed in his foots steps and attended the Reserve Academy, in 1995 I was hired as a San Jose Police Reserve Officer. Since that time I have been promoted to the rank of Captain within the Reserve Unit. Recently the San Jose CHP office gave me permission to have his badge reproduced in his honor given that his original badge was stolen during a home burglary. I also hired a professional model builder to make a copy of a CHP patrol car noting his badge number on the car roof. He was often deployed to work area wide riots during the 60's and 70's. I would love to honor my Father for all his hard work, dedication and the challenges he faced during that era.
personal “firsts” submissions
	Geri Weimers nominated by Geri Weimers nomination: I took my first jet-boat ride, on the Shotover River, on my first trip to New Zealand.
	PapaHugs nominated by David Sharpe nomination: As a local podiatrist for over 30 years, in October of 2006, I launched my first children's music album called "All the Things You Dream" with 15 original songs written and recorded in Willow Glen.
	Everything Baby Shower Book nominated by Lloyd Russell nomination: Early this year, I co-authored the 2nd edition of the Everything Baby Shower Book and for the first time in my life, I am a published author. This has been a real dream come true for me and is most certainly a launching pad into a new realm of writing.
	First Theater Performance nominated by Joshua Russell nomination: On Thursday, November 20, I took my 3 year-old daughter, Haley Rose Russell, to see her very first theater performance: Children's Musical Theater of San Jose's production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. It was a great show and more importantly, my daughter LOVED it and asked to stay afterwards and see Peter Pan, which was the next show they promoted in their program.
	Leigh Wiemers nominated by James O’Lynn nomination: Everything Leigh does is a first...Check out his new book “The Creation of SV.”
	Lillian Barna nominated by Lillian Barna nomination: First woman superintendent of San Jose Unified School District and also the first Hispanic.
	Aracelis Velazqez Rivera nomination: Aracelis Velazquez Rivera began her graduate career in the fall of 2006 in Applied Anthropology at San Jose State University. She was the first applicant to apply the Master's program in Applied Anthropology in its first groundbreaking year. She is first generation Puerto Rican, born in the USA in her immediate family, to graduate high school, go on to college, graduate from college with a BA, and the first one to be enrolled in a Master's program. resolution: After completing my Master's my New Year's Resolution I would like to pursue my PhD and be the first in my family to do so.
	Susannah Greenwood nominated by Susannah Greenwood nomination: First to recognize the dream of "being a princess when I grow up" and have proof on my official business card.
	Leslie Parks nominated by nomination: On July 23, 2008, Leslie Parks sang the National Anthem at the San Jose Giants game at Municipal Stadium for the first time ever.
	Bryan "Gaylord" Kramer nominated by Courtney Smith nomination: March 2001, Good Friday fell on Friday the 13th at Horns-n-Halos party, it was the first holiday that started the "Brother of Someone" tradition for Bryan "Gaylord Focker" Kramer. Photo is of "Jedpolean Bonaparte". Other costumes were "Clayton, brother of Satan", "Macdonald Trump" and "Bubba Evil."
	Clyde P. Smith nominated by Michael Capri (Smith) nomination: In 1966 My Father Clyde P. Smith became the first Black California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer in San Jose and all of Santa Clara County. Unfortunately he passed in 1990 at the young age of 53 due to a medical condition. In 1993 I followed in his foots steps and attended the Reserve Academy, in 1995 I was hired as a San Jose Police Reserve Officer. Since that time I have been promoted to the rank of Captain within the Reserve Unit. Recently the San Jose CHP office gave me permission to have his badge reproduced in his honor given that his original badge was stolen during a home burglary. I also hired a professional model builder to make a copy of a CHP patrol car noting his badge number on the car roof. He was often deployed to work area wide riots during the 60's and 70's. I would love to honor my Father for all his hard work, dedication and the challenges he faced during that era.
	Judy Moss nominated by Judy Moss nomination: Judy was the first woman elected to the Mountain View City Council and the first woman Mayor. But she had to run three times. As far as could be determined, no other candidate, male or female, had that gumption and drive. And in 1991, it took only one campaign to win a seat on the Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees. She was not the first woman, but could claim to have come in first, the first time there was such a large candidate field. Her professional life included firsts but she is better known for her political firsts.
	Steven Koskie nominated by Steve Koskie nomination: Steve Koskie was awarded a personal first when he accepted his Emmy Award after partnering with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas to produce "Yes We Can" an International song/video that has been viewed more than 60M times worldwide.
	February 1 nominated by Courtney Kramer nomination: February 1 is a significant date in my personal history. On February 1, 2001, I moved to San Jose from Michigan, the first time I had ever moved away from my hometown. On February 1, 2002, PureMatter, the advertising agency my husband and I own together, opened its doors as the first tenants of the River Street Historical District. Each year I look forward to 02.01, it seems to hold a milestone for me!
	Yolanda Perez nominated by Karen Allison nomination: From 1983 – 1991, Ms. Yolanda Pérez was the first Latina on-air talent on KNTV-Ch. 11 (former ABC affiliate). She hosted two public affairs programs; “Comunidad del Valle” and “Datebook”. Ms. Pérez is well known, as she continues to extend herself to the South Bay community through volunteerism and as master of ceremonies for many not-for-profit organization events. Ms. Pérez has endeared herself our community through her personal involvement. My family and I enjoyed watching her on-air because she was very personable, sincere and truly compelling. As the first Latina on-air she served as role model for many others to follow.
	Congressman Mike Honda, Former Mayor Ron Gonzales, and Councilmember Forrest Williams nominated by Heather McGowan nomination: The first tri-lingual book reading to elementary school students in non-native languages. Several years ago, Councilmember Forrest Williams, former Mayor Ron Gonzales and Congressman Mike Honda read a book to students for Read Across America Day--this may have occurred in 2002 or 2003. What was unique and special about this (and I think is a first of its kind in this nation, if not world) occurrence was that each elected official was reading the story in a language that was not his first language, and even more amazing, was the first language of one of the other elected officials. Mike Honda was reading in Spanish (which may be Ron Gonzales's first language?), Forrest Williams was reading in Japanese (which was Honda's first language) and Gonzales was reading in English (which may not have been his first language). This was truly representative of San Jose's diversity and I think the first time something like this has ever occurred.
	Kathy Richmond nominated by Kathy Richmond nomination: I was laid off from a job for the very first time November 7, 2008. After surviving four publishing mergers and several moves for jobs, my job at The Tech Museum was eliminated, and I am eligible for unemployment compensation. Astounding.
	Leigh Weimers nominated by Valerie Hopkins nomination: Leigh's commitment to acknowledge all (& I do mean all) the non-profit organizations in our valley over the years gave them credibility & recognition that would not have been possible without Leigh's support. This is a very significant contribution.
	Madison P. Nguyen nominated by Dan Hoang nomination: As first Vietnamese American elected to the San Jose Franklin McKinley District and also later the first Vietnamese American elected to The San Jose City Council, Madison P. Nguyen has been working tirelessly to serve her constituents over the years. She has been supported by various social and political groups in the area for her contribution to the quality life of San Joseans. Since the late 2007 Madison P. Nguyen been fighting very hard for what she and her constituents in District-7 for what they believe in : turning adversity into opportunity. Personally I wish her the best on 3/3/2009.

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