Awards to honor Chavez

Los Medanos College will be hosting the annual “Celebrating the Life of César Chavez” awards in the Recital Hall Friday April 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The award ceremony will recognize students around the East Contra Costa community who honor César Chavez’s esteemed tradition of service to the community and social activism. 

The award ceremony was established in 1995 and started off with The LMC César Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service. Since then, The Chavez Spirit Award was added in 2001 and it recognizes emerging leaders making a difference in East Contra Costa County.  

The César Chavez East County Educator Award was added in 2008 and it honors a member of educational community who has a dedication and values student success.  

Senior Executive Assistant to President Bob Kratochvil, Jennifer Adams, has been working behind the scenes with LMC’s Marketing & Media Design along with others involved in the event planning to compile the nominations, coordinate the meetings, order plaques and print certificates, among other things. 

Other preparations for the event include developing program content, ordering the refreshments for the reception, making arrangements for event-setup, and publicizing the event. 

According to Adams the President’s office helps coordinate and sponsor the activities celebrating César Chavez.  

Kratochvil and former LMC presidents also work with the Latino Advisory Group – made up of community leaders and Chavez Award recipients – who were instrumental in establishing the award ceremony,” she added.  

The members of the Latino Advisory Group also serve as the selection committee for all three awards that will be given out during the award ceremony.  

Adams believes The César Chavez Awards can increase students’ success and enhance their college experience.  

“I think it is important to provide them with opportunities to gain, strengthen, and demonstrate leadership skills, encourage them to be engaged members of both our college community and the local community,” said Adams, adding that it’s also important to “recognize them for their leadership, service and engagement, advocacy, and contributions to the success of fellow students, the College, and the community.” 

You can nominate someone for one or more of these awards at www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate.  

The deadlines for the nominations are Thursday March 10.                                                                                 

If you have any questions about the even please contact Jennifer Adams at [email protected] or (925) 473-7302.