Painting by Angela Arroyo, Kate Carrasco, Eidi Loaiza, Evelyn Marquez, Hanna Vasquez
CTA’s César E. Chávez Memorial Education Awards Program provides recognition for students and their teachers who demonstrate an understanding of the vision and guiding principles by which César E. Chávez lived his life.
This year, 35 winners — 19 visual arts projects and 16 written essays — have been selected to receive recognition plus $1,000 for both students and CTA members. Group entries will share the award.
In the visual arts category, the winners are: Grades Pre-K–K: Angela Arroyo, Kate Carrasco, Eidi Loaiza, Evelyn Marquez, and Hanna Vasquez, students of Miriam Aguilar Escobar, National City Elementary Teachers Association, Region 4.
Grades 1-2: Oscar Rivera, student of Blanca Cortes, Tracy Educators Association, Region 2.
Grades 3-4: Marika Gregory, student of Jennifer Rhinehart, Washington Teachers Association, Region 1; and Alexander Lopez, student of Diane Doris Kissas, Montebello Teachers Association, Region 3.
Grades 5-6: Laura Becerra, student of Isabel Gonzalez, Vineland Teachers Association, Region 2; Robee Jane Arevalo, Justin Garrido, DeShawn Jones, and Tenbite Tesema, students of Maria Tamargo, Lawndale Teachers Association, Region 3; and Itzayana Quintero, student of Linda Anderson, Moorpark Educators Association, Region 3.
Grades 7-8: Ariana Montaño and Kalii Rodenbaugh, students of Mary Bracken, Guerneville School Teachers Association, Region 1.
Grades 9-12: Arielle Ogas, student of John Robrock, San Benito JUHS Teachers Association, Region 1; Daniela Fregoso, student of Blanca Wellington, Napa Valley Educators Association, Region 1; Whitney King, student of Elizabeth Jara, San Joaquin County Educators Association, Region 2; Nicole Tellier and Shannon French, students of Joy Cornish-Bowden, Tracy Educators Association, Region 2; Javier Casillas, student of Lynn Popovich, Baldwin Park Education Association, Region 3; April Hernandez, student of Aimee Hultman, Teachers Association of South Pasadena, Region 3; Oscar Gallegos, student of Michelle Glanville, Moreno Valley Educators Association, Region 4; and Rodrigo Vizcaya, student of Staci Hanks-Reinalda, Moreno Valley Educators Association, Region 4.
Higher education: Gustavo Cruz, student of Douglas R. Todd, Mt. San Antonio College Faculty Association, Region 3; and Phinit Cheamak, student of William Carrick, Chaffey College Teachers Association, Region 4.
In the written essay category, the winners are: Grades 1-2: Ariana Arias, student of Carmen Donez, Fallbrook Elementary Teachers Association, Region 4.
Grades 3-4: Brandon Soto, student of Denise Blue, Montebello Teachers Association, Region 3; and Tiffany Gridley, student of Judy Hamlin, Alvord Educators Association, Region 4.
Grades 5-6: Dominik Pantaleoni, student of Beth Boyer, Manzanita UNCH, Region 2; Emma Hoelker, student of Linda Anderson, Moorpark Educators Association, Region 3; and Terence Douglas, student of Cynthia Molt, United Teachers of Pasadena, Region 3.
Grades 7-8: Zyron Turner, student of Susan E. Ze, Livermore Education Association, Region 1; Samantha Forrest, student of Kristin Dell’ Immagine, Manzanita UNCH, Region 2; and Ramakrishnan Kumaran, student of Carmen Veronica Lewen, Hemet Teachers Association, Region 4.
Grades 9-12: Jessica Greenstreet, student of Jerry Eaton, Travis Unified Teachers Association, Region 1; Gavin Moler, John Butterfield and Alexandra Reinnoldt, students of Michael Carroll, San Juan Teachers Association, Region 2; Joel Samuels and Lily Berrin, students of Antonio Losada, San Juan Teachers Association, Region 2; Gabrielle Sharaga, student of Jaime Thomas, Ventura Unified Education Association, Region 3; Amy Soto and Ileana Barriga, students of Marilyn Edmonds, Alvord Educators Association, Region 4; and Mayra Segoria, student of John Mesicek, Palm Springs Teachers Association, Region 4.