Thanks to Clothesline Laundromat for their support.
Earlier this week the Optimist Club of West St. Paul surprised the latest recipient of their Optimist of the Year award. Robert Hanson, known as Profe Hanson to his students, is a long-time Spanish teacher at Two Rivers High School and founder and director of the student group Anglos Latinos Motivados a Superarse (ALMAS).
“Mr. Hansen’s engaging positivity is immensely popular among his students and their families, and is only exceeded by his humility,” said Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins, who nominated Hanson. “Rob is the first one to give his students credit for the achievements of ALMAS.”
This August marks 30 years of teaching at Two Rivers for Hanson. ALMAS also recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Among other accomplishments, ALMAS has worked to reduce teen tobacco use and boost the graduation rate of Latinos at Two Rivers. Hanson also announces Two Rivers soccer games in both English and Spanish.
Two Rivers Principal Al Johnson set up a ruse to ensure Hanson would be surprised, with Atkins and several members of the Optimist Club bursting in with cowbells and making the announcement.
Hanson received a plaque and will be riding with the Optimist Club in the Explore West St. Paul Days parade on Friday.
Optimist Club members President Cole Spavin, Ken Kane, Chuck Spavin, and Kelly Spavin were on hand to present the award. Learn more about past Optimist of the Year recipients and the Optimist Club of West St. Paul.
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(Photos courtesy of Sara Blair and Kelly Spavin)
