Vonnell Mantarro had a passion to help Sam Vaughn Elementary School students learn to read and as a retiree devoted hours each week in classes. When she passed away on March 15, 2022 at the age of 84, the loss was felt deeply throughout the school community.

In her honor, on Monday daughter Lisa Mantarro Moore presented a memorial bench to the school in front of the multi-purpose room to relax and maybe read a book. A plaque affixed to the bench repeats her famous line to students: “Always try your best.”

Vonnell volunteered for 17 years at multiple grade levels beginning when her two grandsons attended the school. She continued volunteered daily even after they aged out of the school. She not only read to students but listened to help them read, gave kids rides home from school and made lunches for the neighborhood kids.

“She was maybe the sweetest woman I ever met in my life,” commented CUSD Supt. Amy Peterman who attended Monday’s ribbon cutting for the bench. “Just kind hearted.”

Teacher Michelle Borges said Mantarro was “always a lady with a smile.” She told students gathered at the ceremony: “She came every day for you guys. She wanted to be here. She would come rain or shine. If it was windy or miserable she would be here … she loved reading and felt like it was the most important thing for her kids to learn how to read and she was very proud of them when they would grow. But she always had the biggest smile and kind then kindest heart.”

Another teacher, Crystal Johnson, called Moore a “beautiful light to the world and such an inspiration to the students at Sam Vaughn. She would have a smile on her face from the moment she came to the office to the time. She was always eager to help kids learn to read.”

An emotional Lisa Mantarro Moore said her mother was “so kind, quiet, smiley and let me do all the talking.” She added that she loved the school and students and felt like family.

“You guys made her feel so good,” she directed at students.