[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 128 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING MAYTHA SEBASTO IN CELEBRATION OF HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Mrs. Maytha 
Sebasto's 80th birthday. Maytha is a beloved wife, mother, teacher, and 
friend to many.
  Maytha Sebasto was born in Merced, California to M.O. and Bertha 
Richards. Her parents were true pioneers and farmed in Merced and later 
in the LeGrand area. Maytha graduated LeGrand High School in 1955 and 
went on to Fresno State where she earned her degree in elementary 
education in 1960. While in high school, Maytha belonged to her local 
4-H club and was a member of Job's Daughters and President of the Girls 
League.
  Maytha began teaching at LeGrand Elementary School in the fall of 
1958 with a provisional credential. Her teaching philosophy was simple: 
Always give your students a strong foundation for their future success.
  In 1960 she taught at Eastin Arcola in Madera County and then in 1961 
she joined Fresno Unified School District, teaching primary grades at 
Tielman Elementary, Birney Elementary and Columbia. Maytha joined the 
faculty at Ewing Elementary in 1967. In 1990 she joined the faculty at 
Ayer Elementary where she remained until her retirement after more than 
35 years of teaching. Maytha was beloved by her students and spent the 
last 15 years of her career teaching Kindergarten.
  Maytha caught the eye of a young soldier, Alfred Sebasto at a church 
party. The two were married on December 29, 1962. For the first year of 
their marriage, Maytha and Alfred lived in Augsburg, Germany, where 
Alfred was stationed in the U.S. Army. Thereafter, the two moved back 
to the Sebasto Family Farm on the Eastside of Fresno County to raise 
their family. Maytha and Alfred are the proud parents of two loving 
daughters, Theresa and Alfreda.
  Maytha not only assists her husband in the family farming operation, 
but she also volunteered for the Farm Bureau ``Ag in the Classroom'' 
program, teaching students and teachers more about the industry of 
agriculture and its importance to our community. Since her retirement 
from teaching, Maytha has become an accomplished water color artist.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Maytha Sebasto as she celebrates her 80th birthday. I ask that you join 
me in wishing her and her family continued health and happiness.

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