Community Corner
Patch Citizen of the Week: Trish Estelita
This 50-year-old volunteer gives back to the community on a daily basis.
Each week, San Bruno Patch will feature an amazing kid, youth group, teen, sports team, volunteer or educator that wows us with their accomplishments and community service.
This week, we feature an adult volunteer who gives back to the community by helping with a variety of youth programs.
Patch Citizen of the Week
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Name/Age: Trish Estelita, 50
Job: Full inclusion/computer instructional aide at
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Accomplishment: When she’s not working at Crestmoor Elementary or at home with her kids, Trish Estelita fills her schedule with volunteer opportunities to help the community.
“(Estilita) is a community angel,” said Angela Addiego, principal of Parkside Intermediate School. “She generously gives of herself to the community of San Bruno, specifically the children of this city.”
Estelita works as an inclusion aide for a young boy at Crestmoor Elementary.
“(He) makes me laugh every day,” she said. “It is a pleasure to work with him.”
As a computer instructional aide, Estelita helps students build their reading comprehension and fluency using a computer program called Read Naturally.
“My goal is to increase the students self-esteem, confidence and most importantly get the students excited about reading,” said Estelita.
She volunteers at Parkside Intermediate using the same program.
“When I first came to Parkside I deemed her the guardian angel of Parkside,” said Addiego. “ I later came to know that she not only enriched Parkside but the entire city of San Bruno.”
Estelita served as commissioner of American Youth Soccer Organization region 249 for three years. She was responsible for 1000 kids, 100 teams and 250 volunteers.
“I never met a more dedicated person,” said Brian Hafter, AYSO coach. “She puts her heart and soul into everything she does.”
She developed plans and implemented procedures to ensure that her region operates in compliance with AYSO’s bylaws, rules and regulations.
“She made sure to get training in every position,” said Alfonso Esqueda, who served as Estelita’s assistant when she was commissioner. “She stands out because she did a lot more than she was supposed to do.”
Estelita worked with the AYSO treasure to prepare an operating budget, but her favorite part was watching the children play soccer all day on Saturdays, she said.
Estelita is also the Kamp Kids/Pixie coordinator for the Peninsula Girl Scout Camp at Huddert Park. She is responsible for creating programs for 60 campers.
The camp is two weeks, but it takes about 100 hours of preparation of crafts and activities, she said. “I really enjoy working with the young children.”
Estelita also teaches religious education at St. Roberts Catholic Church in San Bruno. She is currently teaching a conformation program for ninth graders, but has taught second, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth graders.
Motivation: “I believe what I do makes a difference and that I enrich a child's life in what I do,” said Estelita.
Key to Awesomeness: “(Estelita) donates her time, efforts and makes contributions above and beyond normal humans, thus earning her angel status,” said Addiego.
Estelita lives in San Bruno with her husband James, who has been on the AYSO board and coaching soccer for 10 years, and their four children Amanda, Megan, Emily and Natalie.
“I have taught my girls that it is important to give back to the community by volunteering,” she said.
Estelita’s hobbies include spending time with her family, reading and walking her dog Boomer.