Community Corner
A Decade of Full-Time Work on a Volunteers Pay
Volunteer and resident, Courtney Fielder, has been selected as a local hero in celebration of this year's annual parade theme, "Honoring Our Heroes."
Editor's Note: Thanks to reader Stephanie Oddo for sending in this story.)
The Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade Committee has announced Courtney Fielder has been selected as a local hero in celebration of the parade theme this year, “Honoring Our Heroes.”
The mothers in our community are often our silent heroes and Fielder is no exception. Through her humble and hard-working ways, she has made a huge impact in Laguna Niguel by giving back selflessly through dozens of volunteer leadership positions.
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She walked away from a dynamic career as a full-time graphic artist to volunteer up to 40 hours a week with her only compensation being a thank you from a parent or teacher, and of course the satisfaction of good work, well done.
If asked, she might say her most meaningful roles have been as president of the PTA of Bergeson Elementary School where her daughter Lindsay is entering fourth grade. She also is serving her second year as the president of Aliso Viejo Middle School PTA, where her son Erik is entering 8th grade.
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“One of the greatest rewards I get from doing the work I do is knowing that it makes a difference in the lives of children in our community. No amount of money can beat that,” she said.
Her calm, warm, yet strong and diligent leadership style has enabled several programs to be maintained and flourish in both schools. From coaching softball and basketball, to leading art enrichment programs, to advocating for the arts in education, Courtney’s goal is to make an impact and make our community a better place, and she has done just that.
When asked about Fielder, Principal Barbara Scholl from Bergeson Elementary School shared: "Courtney has been such an amazing and tireless volunteer at Bergeson Elementary School. During her two years as PTA president, she led a large group of volunteers, raising needed funds and giving endlessly to our community. She is still extremely active at our school but went right into the PTA president role at Aliso Viejo Middle School and supports both of our organizations with such quality. As if that wasn't enough, Courtney is CUSD's arts liaison, working to better the arts throughout the school district for all children. Courtney Fielder is a gem. We are so fortunate to have her actively advocating for our children in so many ways and leading other parents to do the same."
Listed below are just some of the many roles she has had in the last decade in Laguna Niguel:
St. Timothy Catholic Church-religious education teacher (6 years), St. Timothy Catholic Church-vacation Bible school leader (10 years), Bergeson PTA Board Member (7 Years), current Bergeson PTA president (2 Years).
Art advocacy leader, Capistrano Unified School District (2 years), current AVMS PTA president, LNGS softball coach, 1 year, NJB basketball coach 1 year.
Teaches ART enrichment at Bergeson Elementary last 2 years, current Cub Scout den leader 5 years, Brownie/Girl Scout leader 4 years, wife and mother of two.
The Laguna Niguel Parade is Saturday, Dec., 8 at 10 a.m. on Crown Valley Parkway between Nueva Vista and Crown Valley Park.
The Rotary Club of Laguna Niguel in partnership with the Holiday Parade Committee, is sponsoring the local hero entry in the parade. The first hero announced was Grace Doran, a young girl who has shown leadership in her community.
