School board honors Trustee Dennis Bender, supporter of Granite Hills High School stadium

The Apple Valley Unified School District Board and administration honored Trustee Dennis Bender with a plaque and specially designed portable seat for visits to the planned sports stadium at Granite Hills High School.

The retired Bender, who began teaching with the school district nearly 56 years ago, recently announced that he won’t seek a 17th year on the board come November.

“I’m old but I still have a fire in my belly for education,” Bender said. “It’s time for me to step aside and let the younger generation lead.”

During the Dec. 7 meeting, Trustee President Maria Okpara told Bender the board felt it was time to recognize him for the “beautiful spirit” he has shared with them, “the love” he has given them, and lessons he has taught them.

Okpara told Bender that she has written down many of his quotes, which she likened to a fine “dessert” at the end of a meal.

On behalf of the board, Okpara presented Bender with a card and a specially monogrammed stadium seat that includes the district logo.

Okpara said the seat is for Bender when he attends football games and other events at the planned Granite Hills High Stadium.

“Thank you for all that you’ve done for us,” Okpara said. “We love you dearly.”

The new stadium will be constructed on 40 acres west of the existing campus on Esaws Avenue in Apple Valley, Bender said. The facility will include tennis courts, a field house, and other features.

Bender has long been a supporter of the project, which he hopes will be completed by 2027.

“It’ll be nice for Granite Hills students to finally play football in their stadium and for seniors to celebrate their graduation there,” Bender said. “It’s going to be a big deal for that school.”

Bender estimates the cost of the stadium project at around $22 million.

Opening two high schools

Bender was elected to the board in 2008, according to District Superintendent Trenae Nelson.

“After serving as a teacher in the district for 42 years, he was celebrated at this podium at our retirement recognition board meeting in May of 2008,” Nelson said.

Bender worked at Victor Valley High School for two years. In 1967, he was hired to teach and coach at the newly-opened Apple Valley High School, he said.

Bender taught at Apple Valley High for 30 years before finishing out his teaching career with a 10-year stint at Granite Hills High.

“I was there when Apple Valley High School first opened in 1967 and when Granite Hills first opened in 1999,” Bender said. “There’s nothing like opening a new school campus.”

Bender added that his four children graduated from both Apple Valley schools.

Teacher, historian

Nelson shared with the audience that she found it ironic that Bender, who taught history within the school system, has become a historian of the school district since he has been there since district unification.

“There is not an event or a topic brought up that does not have a story tied to it,” Nelson said. “He has a memory that includes details — he can often recall the weather, what was on the front page of the paper, or food that was associated with that particular event.”

Nelson said Bender was the one who had begun the process of getting Granite Hills High School started.

“I do not think it’s a coincidence that we are recognizing his service this past year as president on Dec. 7, 2023, also National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day,” Nelson said. “Very appropriate for someone who’s taught and loved history.”

Nelson presented Bender with a plaque. She also displayed a gift from Bender to Nelson’s son, a history buff, who works for the Navy.

Bender gave Nelson’s son the front page of a December 1941 Daily Press with a headline that announced the Japanese declaring war on the United States by attacking Pearl Harbor.

Friend and mentor

Trustee Clerk Rick Roelle told the audience that in the nearly 50 years of knowing Bender, he has appreciated his friendship and all that he’s done for the school district.

“I consider Dennis a friend and a mentor,” Roelle said. “Anybody that dedicates 50 years or more of his life to education is an honorable person.”

Bender thanked teachers, administrators, and the board for the recognition.

“I still have about 10 months to serve on the school board so I’ll be around,” he said. “I’m excited to see how far our school district has come and doubly excited for its future.”

During the meeting, Okpara, was sworn in as the current board president, replacing Bender.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley school board honors Trustee Dennis Bender