February 7, 2008

Community Maker Kelly Noftz:

Creating positive waves throughout Almaden

By Shana McLean Moore
Staff Writer

You never really know the ripple of influence your actions have on the world around you until a group of your biggest fans is asked to tell a story that sums up the kind of person you are. It is then that you see the wave you created crash to the shore, to the delight of those close enough to see its surge and hear its roar.

Kelly Noftz displays the warm smile seen by countless children in Almaden while relaxing during a recent camping trip. Photo courtesy of Austin Noftz

While most of us create a ripple tame enough for young children to frolic in, Almaden’s Kelly Noftz creates the kind of wave that beckons Maverick surfers worldwide and leaves homeowners scurrying for sandbags.

Though many of Kelly’s friends and colleagues share anecdotes about how she continually improves our community—one interaction at a time—her essence could be summed up in just one of her extraordinary acts.

Kelly, together with her husband John and children Emma and Austin, moved to Almaden after purchasing a home that had been previously ravaged by tragedy. It’s safe to say that most people would not buy a house that had sat empty for several years after a murder-suicide took place there, but most people aren’t like Kelly Noftz.

What the Noftz family did for that house and neighborhood speaks volumes about Kelly’s outlook on life and the can-do attitude she applies to all that needs fixing around her.

“Once they were settled, Kelly held a big open-house and invited the neighbors over to see that their family had changed the energy of that home. She even started a community garden on the side of her house and invited the neighborhood kids to help her plant and water it,” says her friend Mollie Tobias This was Noftz’s first of many community-building events in Almaden.

Noftz’s official volunteer efforts in the community started through her involvement at a Project Cornerstone training meeting at Bret Harte Middle School. She immediately got involved and started programs that helped the school win an award for having a caring school climate. In fact, former assistant principal Melani Amaris credits Noftz for a large part of the designation.

“Many of the programs we implemented were Kelly's creative brain children,” said Amaris. “If I wanted to recognize a group, change the focus of a situation or needed something new, I would go to Kelly. She always had thoughtful, creative reflections and praise for all we wanted to do. Kelly is absolutely passionate about the work and ready to lend a hand. Her passion is contagious. I am blessed to be a part of her world.”

One such program Noftz organized is called PESTS, Parents Encouraging Supportive Teachers and Staff. Parents basically adopt teachers and give them small gifts and notes to show them that their work is appreciated. “Like anyone, the teachers feel happy and treasured when sometime takes the time to do something nice for them,” said Tobias.

Another program Kelly started at Bret Harte is the "Everyday Hero" award, which has since been adopted by the Project Cornerstone organization. Students nominate their peers for displaying model behavior. Then, once a month, pictures are taken of the two students together and posted with the nominating letter. 

“It is very encouraging for students to see responsibility, caring, friendship and honesty commended,” said Tobias. “Kelly helped to establish this program so that Bret Harte students would value their friendships and peer relationships, thereby creating a caring school climate,” she added. “Everything Kelly does is done at 120 percent. When she says she will do something, it is done in a timely manner, perfectly, and with that added touch of caring, warmth and creativity.”

Louise Gill, another friend who connected with Noftz while doing volunteer work at Bret Harte, finds Kelly an amazing person who has worked tirelessly for the young people of Almaden Valley throughout the seven years she has known her.

“From the Parent Club at Hacienda Elementary, to the Community Club at Bret Harte Middle School, through her support of the Leland Speech and Debate Team and the Bret Harte wrestling team, Kelly has always been there for her children, their friends and their fellow students at every school they have attended, and most recently for students throughout San Jose Unified School District and beyond in her work with Project Cornerstone,” said Gill.

“Kelly's warm and welcoming personality, her enthusiasm for life and her empathy for young people are a great combination that makes both young children and older students gravitate towards her and appreciate her support and friendship. She epitomizes the core values of Project Cornerstone, in both her family life and her work,” said Gill. “As a friend, she is always supportive, always fun to be with, always a joy,” Gill added.

Noftz eventually took a paying job with Project Cornerstone and, by all accounts, it is a natural fit. “Whether Kelly is volunteering at the school sites (as president of the Parent Club, chair of the eighth grade Promotion Committee, or chair of the Cultural Fair Food Committee) or working for Project Cornerstone in her current job championing and offering support for students who have been bullied, Kelly's focus has always been concern for our students,” added Gill.

Lori Maitski, project coordinator of Project Cornerstone, also remembers her early interactions with Kelly at Bret Harte. “During our training, we talked about the power of building relationships with young adults and how a simple smile or “hi” could work wonders,” said Maitski. 

“Kelly decided to give this a go when working in the snack shack and started saying ‘hi’ and smiling at the students.  At first, she reported that the kids did not know how to respond to her and often didn't. She kept on and started asking questions about their day. There was one student who had some piercings, a Mohawk and just generally looked tough. The other volunteers served him as fast as possible. Not Kelly—she made it her mission to strike up a conversation with him. She succeeded… and always had a long line of kids waiting patiently for her to talk to and just get her warm friendly smile.”

“I could go on and on because Kelly is one of my favorite people,” said Maitski.  “She makes everyone feel all warm and fuzzy. I am so glad I have the opportunity to work with her at Project Cornerstone, as I have learned a tremendous amount from her regarding bullying and ways to turn bystanders to ‘upstanders,’” Maitski added.

Castillero Middle School teacher Jean Hendrickson had the good fortune of getting to know Noftz during a Search Institute conference in Minneapolis. “During a dinner one evening, a small group of us ended up sharing family, school and personal stories of triumph, and heartache, too,” said Hendrickson. “Kelly’s compassion, kindness and genuineness blew me away! You just feel so comfortable around her and she inspires you to be that kind of person, too. “

The following morning, she added, Noftz came up to her and told her how much she appreciated Hendrickson and her work. She also thanked Hendrickson for sharing stories the previous evening. “She said it made her feel good to know we all could have that kind of discussion, share real stories and feel connections to each other even though we are different people from different backgrounds,” said Hendrickson. “You can't help but feel better about life and yourself after spending time with Kelly. She is simply a wonderful person,” she added.

Gaye Brasher, Leland High School’s speech and debate adviser, says Noftz is one of the best things to happen to the team. “She is a joy to be around—she is always so positive and encouraging,” said Brasher.

“Kelly thinks of things I need to do to make tournaments run smoothly and takes care of them for me. She relates to everyone - we are all drawn to her kind and caring nature. Even now that her daughter has graduated from Leland, Kelly still continues to volunteer and coach the students. They love working with her; her appointments fill in minutes! She has definitely made our speech and debate community a better place.”

Some students, adds Brasher, said they once asked Kelly where she would dream of moving to, and she simply smiled her usual bright smile and said ‘Almaden.’”

Anne Ehresman, the new executive director of Project Cornerstone, didn’t take long to discover the wonders of Kelly Noftz. “She’s able to go into a cafeteria of students – elementary, middle or high school – and truly connect with them. They trust her and become willing to open up about their experiences,” said Ehresman. “She shared with me recently that after every workshop she has to schedule an hour for herself to decompress. The feelings, emotions, and dreams of these students affect her deeply,” Ehresman added. “Kelly is transforming our community, one life at a time.”

Kelly Noftz, you are nothing short of a tidal wave of caring support for the children and young adults of our community. Thank you for helping make Almaden Valley such a great place to live.

To nominate a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker to be featured as our next Almaden Valley Community Maker, please send an e-mail to editor Carol Rosen at Carol@timesmediainc.com.