Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo (CHISLO) will host the second annual Champions for Children event, “Sunset at the Ranch II” on Saturday, April 26 at the Santa Margarita Ranch. The event honors five local individuals for their outstanding efforts in awareness and advocacy on behalf of local children.
The award recipients were chosen for their unique contributions within their professional fields to the education, health and wellbeing of children in the local community:
• For Art – Dr. Botso Korisheli, Co-Founder, Conductor, San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony: Beginning his local career as a music teacher at Morro Elementary School in 1957, Korisheli expanded his reach by coordinating and instructing a small group of young musicians, which he eventually transformed into the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. As cofounder and the first conductor of the program, Korisheli has tirelessly assisted in the achievements of the group, training young musicians to understand, appreciate and master the musical art.
• For Oral Health – Dr. John DeVincenzo, DDS: DeVincenzo has provided over 40 years of superior orthodontic care for local children. In addition to basic orthodontics, the American College of Dentists Fellow treats children with cranial facial anomalies who would not have received care otherwise. DeVincenzo is a past trustee of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and the Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School. His work has given hundreds of children the self-confidence and success of a beautiful smile.
• For Business – CeCe and Henry Lane of Dioptics, Inc.: As the president and CEO of locally operated Dioptics, Inc., Henry Lane and his wife and co-owner CeCe, have contributed generously to the community in their over 25 years in business in San Luis Obispo. Important to them has always been providing local children the resources essential in growth, development and a happy childhood. When the Lanes received word that the local YMCA needed funding, the couple and their business partners initiated a matching fund to assist the organization. The United Way joined the Lanes in their efforts, ensuring that local children receive the tools to grow into strong, independent citizens.
• For Education – Rod Blackner, Director of Food Services, Paso Robles School District: Blackner successfully designed and implemented the award-winning Culinary Arts Academy at Paso Robles High School as a educational program designed to prepare students with a nutritious and knowledgeable background in food preparation. Students enrolled in the program develop an understanding of healthy living, agricultural sustainability and a passion for culinary arts, many seeking future careers in food service. Blackner also maintains a fiscally sound food-service program and was the first to introduce healthy eating options, such as salad bars to the district food programs.
• For Health – Karen Trask, R.N., Director of Quality Management, French Hospital: Trask began her local career in children’s health in 1977. Over the years, she has served in the pediatric unit at French Hospital, taught Pediatric Advanced Life Support and CPR to new mothers, and led instructions for families with children suffering from cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma, or receiving chemotherapy. Beyond her position at French Hospital, Trask currently serves as a healthy living instructor for local kindergarteners.

The “western elegant” themed event will include a barbeque by the Arroyo Grande Optimist Club, the Sarsaparilla train ride and musical performances by the Rock-A-Billy Legends band featuring Jack “Johnny C” Hardy and Mike “Roy O” Kee. Tickets are $75 per person and proceeds for the event will be used to provide Healthy Kids health insurance for local children.
The mission of the Children’s Health Initiative is to ensure that all San Luis Obispo County children have access to quality health care coverage by working collaboratively with our community partners, by advocating for better health services for our children and by administering Healthy Kids, a health insurance plan.
For more information on Children’s Health Initiative or to purchase Champions for Children: Sunset at the Rancho II tickets, please call (805) 540-5177 or visit www.slohealthykids.org.