From a Leadership Morgan Hill press release: DCI judge Mike Rubino, who has been the DCI Pacific region judge's coordinator since 1995, will be honored next month for his leadership as a music educator in Morgan Hill, Calif. Rubino is a Morgan Hill legend in school music education, and will be presented with the 2005 Leadership Excellence Award at a black-tie summer gala July 23 at The Lodge at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif.. An evening of music will tell the story of Rubino's lifelong contributions to young musicians in the Morgan Hill Unified School District. The event also includes a reception, sit-down dinner and silent auction to benefit Leadership Morgan Hill's community education program. Rubino retired in October from the Morgan Hill Unified School District after 33 years of service. His accomplishments include leading the Live Oak High School band to two national championships, and for decades of recognition. His involvement in cultural music exchanges introduced more than 800 Live Oak High School students to the cultural and musical diversity in China, the Soviet Union, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Bangkok, Singapore and Malaysia. Rubino also orchestrated a unique elementary school music program. While budget cuts have all but eliminated such programs in California's public schools, Rubino's leadership is credited with the legacy that all Morgan Hill elementary school students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades receive a choice of instrumental or vocal music education. Tickets for the reception, sit-down dinner, musical tribute and silent auction are $125 and available through Leadership Morgan Hill at 408.779.0076. The Leadership Excellence Award recognizes an individual or individuals whose vision and leadership advances the spirit of community and charity; reflects courage and insight; and inspires others to lead in a like manner. Recipients are selected by a blue-ribbon panel of community leaders and former Leadership Excellence Award winners. Leadership Morgan Hill, organized in 1995, is a leadership education and development program to create and inspire the future leaders of Morgan Hill. Its mission is to provide insight and tools that enable graduates to give back to the community through service. Information on joining the program is available at www.morganhill.org. To date, nearly 170 students have graduated from the annual, nine-month program and many now hold seats of influence in the community in government, on nonprofit boards and as local business executives and entrepreneurs.