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Young people honored for their service
By SHELLY CONE, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
May 5, 2017 5:55 AM
Facing adversity is difficult for anyone. Giving service to others despite adversity is something to commend. That was the case for a group of dedicated Santa Barbara County youths at the Youth Impact Awards.
The KIDS Network honored 13 young people during a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cultural Center on Thursday in Santa Maria.
Barb Finch, director of the Santa Barbara County KIDS Network, said the honorees were chosen for their efforts in making a difference in their community and for commitment and perseverance. "This year's nominations were inspiring to review and they clearly represent the many ways that youth are having a positive impact in the Santa Barbara community," she said.
Reagan Wineman of Righetti High School, Lupita Rios of Pioneer High School, Jose Ibarra of Santa Barbara High School, Maria Zamora of Carpinteria High School, Angel Hernandez of Grizzly Youth Academy, and Isabella Blanco and Gabriela Santos, both of Santa Maria High School, were honored for their dedication and selflessness in community service.
Alisha Kay Erb of Pioneer Valley High school was honored with the Champion Award, given to recipients for long-standing or time-intensive volunteer service. Alisha said that hearing everyone else's accomplishments inspired her, but that she also feels rewarded in her own efforts. "I love having an impact on the community. So knowing that it's not going to nothing, it feels amazing," she said.
Eduardo Gomez, of Righetti High School, and Paulina Romero, of Santa Barbara High School, received honorable mentions in the Champion Award category.
The Victory Award was presented to a student who faced much diversity - so much so that her nominators asked that she be identified only by her first name to protect her identity. Her nominator, Mayra Ruiz, told the recipient, whose first name is Chloe, "Just never change, you're perfect the way you are." Ms. Ruiz added that when she got into the service profession, she expected to make a difference in the lives of others. "What I didn't expect was people like Chloe to make a difference in mine," she said.
Chloe gave credit to her supporters for her award. "It already feels like I got the award just by helping out with my brother and people around me. I wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't for all these beautiful people around me. I wouldn't be who I am," she said.
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