Three Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) graduates have been selected by the LUHSD Graduates of Distinction Committee to receive recognition for leading lives that remain true to the core values taught at their schools. As 2013 Graduates of Distinction honorees, J. Douglas Adams, Craig Bronzan and Capt. Nicholas M. Eslinger will be honored at a reception held April 26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Cap’s Oak Street Bar & Grill, 144 Oak St. in Brentwood. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the reception to honor these individuals.

Dr. J. Douglas Adams

Dr. J. Douglas Adams graduated from Liberty High School in 1968 and has received many honors as an excellent educator and community leader.

After graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of California and Doctor of Education degree from the University of La Verne. Adams rose through the ranks in education and in 1991 succeeded Bill Bristow to become the Superintendent of the Brentwood Union School District – at the time one of the fastest-growing school districts in California.

In 2003 he was selected as Superintendent of the Year for Northern California by his colleagues.

Adams served the Brentwood Union School District and community until his retirement in 2006. In July of that year, the BUSD Board of Education opened the J. Douglas Adams Middle School. Since his retirement, Adams has served as a mentor to new superintendents and as an advisor to California school districts. He is also enjoying his retirement by spending time with his wife, Jackie, and their family.

Craig Bronzan

Craig Bronzan graduated from Liberty High School in 1974, and is currently the director of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Brentwood. Craig has spent more than 35 years in the parks and recreation profession. He was recognized by the California Park and Recreation Society as the District V Outstanding Professional in 1993, and received a Professional Citation Award in 2003. He also received the Outstanding Professional Award by the California Association of Park and Recreation Board and Commission Members in 2007.

Bronzan has served on statewide governing boards for the California Park and Recreation Society, the League of California Cities, and is an emeritus board member of the Pacific Southwest Maintenance Management School. He has authored several articles and manuals in Parks and Recreation, and is an invited speaker at professional trainings and conferences.

He considers himself fortunate to be hired as the City of Brentwood’s first Parks and Recreation director and is proud of his work in the community, including securing the Joint Use Agreements between the City of Brentwood and local school districts, which provide for common use of pools, gyms and sport fields. His professional life is dedicated to making Brentwood a good place to live, and his contributions are evident throughout the community.

Capt. Nicholas M. Eslinger

U.S. Army Capt. Nicholas M. Eslinger was named the Jack Ferrill Athlete of the Year when he graduated from Freedom High School in 2002, but no one at the time could have imagined his potential.

In 2007 he graduated from West Point as an infantry officer, and in 2008 demonstrated what has been described as “exceptional gallantry,” “unsurpassed determination” and “incredible bravery” when he threw himself on a live grenade while on patrol in Iraq. His action saved six soldiers under his command from injury or death.

Eslinger is the first Freedom High graduate to receive the Silver Star (in 2008), the third highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to any person serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces. He received the Nininger Award in 2009 for displaying a selfless act of heroism in combat.

Eslinger also served as platoon leader with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan, and is currently Commander of C Company, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, Texas.