Beaumont Resident Sue Burcham is Honored with Heritage Award

During a 40-year career in education, Suzan (Sue) Sparks Burcham taught three generations of Beaumont students. Her lifelong service in education has earned her deserved recognition from the Beaumont Cherry Festival Association with their 2019 Heritage Award, and she will ride in the festival’s parade on Saturday, June 1.

“The Cherry Festival has always been one of my favorite events,” says Sue, who grew up in Beaumont, of the many years she participated in the annual festivities. “I have fond memories of the BHS band marching in the parade, working the church booth selling corn on the cob, eating yummy tacos, cherry pie, prepping floats and costumes for the parade, working the gates, staffing booths, watching students perform, the dunking booth, attending the evening concerts with friends, and the pancake breakfast.

“So, with all of these memories, I am humbly grateful for the recognition as the Heritage Award honoree.”

Sue is a member of the San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society, which will host a parade viewing party in front of Beaumont Civic Center on June 1; the parade starts at 10:30 a.m. All are invited to gather to cheer Sue and the society's parade float.

In 1961, Sue and her parents, Wilma and Glenn Sparks, moved to Beaumont, where Glenn opened the new Alpha Beta market. “The Alpha Beta crew was like a second family, especially when Mom died in December 1965,” says Sue.

Glenn was active with many local civic organizations and the hospital and cemetery district boards, and served as Beaumont city manager in the 1970s. In 1969, Glenn married Charla Corwin, who was an elementary teacher at Palm School, and they were both involved with Winter Wish.

“My dad was my hero,” says Sue, and his community service shaped her career and philanthropic pursuits.

A 1969 Beaumont High graduate, Sue earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Northern Arizona University and a lifetime elementary credential and two master’s degrees at Cal State San Bernardino.

Sue taught Beaumont elementary and junior high students and helped develop a District Science Fair with Westinghouse, launched the Astro Camp Space Program, participated in the Super Summer Travelers program, created the Science Club and an Outdoor Education Camp. She also led trips to Catalina Island Marine Institute, was a School Improvement Program facilitator and a liaison for the Career Tech program at Mt. San Jacinto College, and earned numerous important awards in education. Sue retired in 2009 and created the Parent Academy Program at Beaumont Adult School.

In 2017, Sue married Dwight Christensen, and they live in Beaumont’s Four Seasons community. The couple is busy with family and friends, and they are avid travelers.

Over the years, Sue has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Soroptimist, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, the Literacy Day Committee and the Safe Schools Programs; she worked with the Beaumont Police and Riverside County Sheriff, the Alternative Placement Committee, and the Youth Authority Team.

She is currently involved with Soroptimist, Delta Kappa Gamma, Winter Wish, the California Retired Teachers Association, the San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society and the Beaumont High School Alumni committee, which worked to get the new high school stadium named after Coach Don Smith. This summer, in addition to riding in the Cherry Festival parade as the Heritage Award honoree, she’ll celebrate at her 50th high school reunion.

In 1976, Sue married Lionel (Bud) Burcham. Their daughter, Lindsey Burcham, was born in 1980, and she has a law practice in Beaumont. Bud passed away in 2005, and in 2008, Lindsey’s son, Lionel, was born – the family’s fourth generation in Beaumont.

“I love this community,” says Sue. “My Dad loved this community, and I know he is smiling with pride. Thank you to the Cherry Festival Association for this honor.”