Los Medanos College (LMC) will host the annual “Celebrating the Life of César Chávez” recognition program on Friday, March 29, at its Pittsburg Campus; the reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the College Complex Indoor Quad, followed by the award presentations at 7:00 p.m. in the Recital Hall. The campus is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg. The celebration is free and the public is encouraged to attend; RSVPs are not required. Complimentary, easy-access parking is available in Lot C for this event.
Los Medanos College hosts this event each year to honor the life of labor leader and human rights activist, César Chávez. The celebration also recognizes members of the East Contra Costa County community who embody his great tradition of voluntary service, civic activism, and non-violent social change.
The event includes the presentation of three recognition awards. The César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is presented to local residents who represent the core values modeled by César Chávez: “Service to Others, Sacrifice, A Preference to Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.” The East County Educator Award honors members of the educational community who demonstrate a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families. The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes up-and-coming leaders who have made a significant impact on the local community in the areas of advocacy and social justice.
This year’s recipients of the César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service are Dr. Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sidrian and Ms. Nancy Parent. Dr. Gonzalez-Sidrian, a School Psychologist for Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD) and advocate for students, serves on the Board of Directors for Future Leaders of America (FLA) East Bay Area. Her commitment to volunteerism and serving others is demonstrated through her long-time involvement with FLA and its Youth Leadership Conference. Ms. Parent, City Treasurer for Pittsburg, has a long history of community service and community engagement, having served on the PUSD School Board and five terms on the Pittsburg City Council. She had an extensive record of volunteerism, mentoring, and securing donations to support student and community needs.
The East County Educator Award will be presented to Ms. Rebecca Quiñones, a teacher at Antioch High School, for her dedication to student learning and success. Through her efforts to provide support, set high expectations, and engage with the AHS community, Ms. Quiñones has established deep and lasting connections with students and their families.
The Spirit Award will recognize two rising leaders and advocates in the community: Mr. Jose Cordon and Mr. Alphonso Guerrero. As the Community Education Lead at One Day at a Time (ODAT) in Brentwood, Mr. Cordon empowers and builds leadership skills for East Contra Costa County youth. Mr. Guerrero is the Founder and President of Compass Mentoring Academy, a non-profit organization that – through its weight-training program – provides mentoring and a supportive environment to young men at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility.
Please join us to celebrate the spirit of service and activism in our community.
For more information about all of LMC’s activities celebrating César Chávez, visit www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/events. Questions about the events or awards may be directed to Jennifer Adams at jadams@losmedanos.edu or (925) 473-7302.
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