The Cypress College Americana Awards take place February 22 to honor outstanding citizens of the year from the eight communities surrounding the college, including: Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos/Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Stanton.
The annual ceremony, started 39 years ago, will take place at the Disneyland Hotel. The event raises funds for thousands of students through scholarships, emergency assistance, book loans, the “Mini Grants” program, and a multitude of other college platforms.
The Cypress College Americana Awards take place February 22 to honor outstanding citizens of the year from the eight communities surrounding the college, including: Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos/Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Stanton.
The annual ceremony, started 39 years ago, will take place at the Disneyland Hotel. The event raises funds for thousands of students through scholarships, emergency assistance, book loans, the “Mini Grants” program, and a multitude of other college platforms.
Presenting the “Men of the Year,”“Distinguished Business Award,” and the “Citizens of the Year,” the Americana Awards event is the college’s largest fundraiser, as one of the premier events in the North Orange County area. Christiane Salts, this year’s recipient of the Buena Park Citizen of the Year Award, has been supporting the cause for some time, as a proud advocate for the continuation of Community College programs and scholarships.
Currently a member of the Women’s Ministry Spiritual Life Leaders at Christ Community Church, a past president of the Buena Park Rotary club, and a part of the Buena Park and Orange County Historical Societies, Christiane has a resume to be reckon with. However, Salts says she would rather be remembered “as the lady who read, wrote, and inspired young readers to read and write on their own.”
Salts’ humble beginnings seem to spring from the selfless acts of her own parents, growing up in a small village in Bavaria. Actively involved in all village happenings, her father owned the largest general store in the area. Christiane vividly recalls the “magic” she felt when giving her friends candies from her father’s store, a sure parallel to her current joy sprung from a life of giving.
Immigrating to the United States for a better life, Christiane knew she wanted to be of help to others, especially those who are down and out.
“I try to speak with to those whom I notice are alone, or those who are new to me.”
Her term as Rotary Club President in 2010-2011 allowed her to learn more about the needs of people in her community and learn about other cultures.
“Our city of Buena Park is the most culturally diverse city in Southern California,” she said. Attempting to break down walls, Christiane and her husband, Dennis, are extending their hands to connect to the Korean congregations that hold their services in the same church as their own.
“We are all people, and often the only ‘barrier’ that might separate us is language.”
Furthering her dedication to her local community, Christiane fulfilled her dream as a passionate writer by authoring a biography on Cordelia Knott. Written at a level in which upper elementary students could read, the book was designed to help them become more aware of the community and fascinating people that helped bring it to its current stature.
A true family project, Christiane’s husband, daughters, and son-in-law made their contributions to the book, in marketing, editing, and graphics.
An inspiration to her own children, Christiane’s daughters Tracy and Carrie also have involvement in the Rotary Club. Her husband, Dennis Salts is a trustee on both the Centralia School District and the Buena Park Library Boards. Honored for their continued contribution to their community and support of the library for more than thirty years, the Salts family was even awarded a star on the Wall of Stars at the Buena Park Library.
Christiane’s passion for teaching and educating is evident through the numerous honors she has received, including Teacher of the Year at Dulles Elementary School in 1993 and 2008 through 28 years of teaching service to the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, and the simply remarkable emotions she expresses, while reflecting on her experience:
“I strive to listen carefully to find out what are their heart-felt passions and I then encourage them to investigate the path which would help them fulfill their goals… It makes my day when I’ve taken the opportunity to help someone out.”
A remarkable woman, Christiane has made an unmatched contribution, to her community in Buena Park and in the Orange County area, which has led her to impact those who have worked with her, for her, and especially those for whom she has served. Christiane Salts has been a resident in the city of Buena Park for 32 years, and this year in 2014, she will be honored as the Buena Park Citizen of the Year.
Encouraging others to get involved in their area and pursue their desires, Christiane says, “When your passion leads you to serve a cause, it is so rewarding! That’s why, when you find an area that you have passion in, you should pursue that.”
