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Glendale Chamber
Foundation's Eigth Annual
César E. Chávez Breakfast Celebrating Diversity
The
Glendale Chamber Foundation and the Glendale Hispanic Network hosted
the
2011
César Chávez Breakfast
Thursday,
March 31, 2011
Article
by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV
Photos by Ed
Sharpe, Bette
Sharpe
and Janet Boberg
The late Senator Robert Kennedy called him
"one of the heroic figures of our time."
http://www.lasculturas.com/biographies/214-civil-rights/112-César-Chávez
César Chávez "an American icon".
Representative Raúl Grijalva - District 7 AZ
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Paul
J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, presented
the keynote address at the breakfast held in honor of César Chávez.
,
Paul
J. Luna, president and chief executive officer of Helios Education
Foundation, was the keynote speaker at Thursday's Glendale Chamber
Foundation and the Glendale Hispanic Network breakfast celebrating the
legacy of César Chávez. The
Helios Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization serving both
Arizona and Florida that focuses on education and
creating opportunities for students to successfully completing post
secondary education.
Paul
J. Luna is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a degree in Civil
Engineering; largely due to his parents, especially his father.
Paul's father knew an education, college, could offer different
opportunities--better jobs, more confidence--for a better life.
Paul's father told to him, "you have choices".
"I want you to have options".
And "don't be afraid to fail".
"We as a family will be here for you."
Paul got his father's message about the importance of an education,
a good education. His
father's influence is one of the main reasons he is both president and CEO
of an organization that encourages students to get an education, an to
keep learning. Paul's father
taught him the lessons he learned from César Chávez and that was to
treat every one with dignity, respect and fairly.
In
Mr. Luna's address he stressed raising our standards, our expectations,
for our students, teachers, parents so students can be successful.
Students must be academically prepared.
"Math becomes a barrier" for some students.
If students are academically ready for post secondary institutions,
they need to be ready for them. Many
high school graduates are not be prepared academically for college.
Institutions of higher learning need to be ready for the
students--have room for them and not just be able to select a few.
Paul
Luna, in the spirit of César Chávez, "I believe the battle is now
in the classroom". "It
is time for us to stand up. "We
will be the voice of our students that no one really listens to".
Each child needs the opportunity for an education based on his/her
merits and not the color their skin, where they live or where they were
born. "Arizona is at a
crossroads" as to what the the future holds and how we want to be
viewed. Do we stand for human
dignity and respect or do we allow a small group divide us with fear and
intimidation.
Often,
if the oldest child graduates from high school and continues onto college;
a pathway is established for the other children in the family showing them
they also can get an education.
"He
worked everyday to give us the opportunity for an education," Mr.
Luna said of his father.
"Education
changes lives," stated Luna. It
can be "transformational" for others as it was for him when he
graduated from Stanford. He
was the first in his family with a college degree.
________________________
Janet Boberg /Glendale Fire Department
Jesus
Espinoza, a fourth grader at Coyote Ridge Elementary School, helped kick
off the César Chávez Breakfast with a rendition of God Bless America.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
National Anthem Coyote Ridge Elementary School
performs God Bless America.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2325.
Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
_________________
Diversity
Awards
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Martin
Samaniego, President, Glendale
Chamber Foundation. Standing in the background is Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC (left) and Tony Moya Community Relations Program Manager,
SRP and Master of Ceremonies, (right).
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2355.
Guadalupe
Medina founder/owner of GMS Concrete Specialist accepting his 2011
Promoting Diversity award from Martin Samaniego, President, Glendale
Chamber Foundation. Standing in the background is Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC (left) and Tony Moya Community Relations Program Manager,
SRP and Master of Ceremonies, (right).
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet - additional photos
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2363.
2011
Promoting Diversity Awardee Rick Alvarez, Ed.D, addresses the 530
attendees at the eighth annual César Chávez Breakfast where his award
was presented. The breakfast is sponsored by the Glendale Chamber
Foundation and the city of Glendale.
Standing in the background is Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC (left) and Tony Moya Community Relations Program Manager,
SRP and Master of Ceremonies, (right).
Background on
Dr. Alvarez:
Dr. Alvarez, who
is principal of Harold W. Smith Elementary School, has demonstrated his
dedication to the cause of diversity in both his professional and private
life. His community service includes involvement in Weed and
Seed, a program designed to “weed out” difficult issues such as drug
abuse and violence, and “seed” the community with positive influences
such as intervention and treatment programs. He’s also been
instrumental in supporting after school and extracurricular activities
through Swift for Boys and Girls Club; supporting family literacy for
parents and children; helping organize a PTO in the community, and
participating in “Community in Schools” which involves a variety of
agencies.
Alvarez has been in education since 1987 and has served as a teacher,
assistant principal, director of Human Resources, and principal. He
holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a master’s in School
Administration, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet - additional photos
Photo
at left - Guadalupe M. Medina, 2011 Promoting Diversity Award winner
addresses the atendees at the 8th annual César Chávez event in Glendale
AZ
Photo
at right - Guadalupe M.
Medina, 2011 Promoting Diversity Award winner; Martin Samaniego,
president, Glendale Chamber Foundation -behind them - Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC (left) and Tony Moya Community Relations Program Manager,
SRP and Master of Ceremonies, (right).
Background on
Guadalupe M. Medina:
Guadalupe M.
Medina is the owner/founder of GMS Concrete Specialists, Inc. As a
business owner, he’s promoted diversity within his company, where he
creates a culture of employee appreciation. As was noted in his
nomination, “It is because of his generosity and loyalty that Mr. Medina
is a respected individual and business owner by his customers, suppliers,
and especially those he employs.”
His personal journey to success is also noteworthy. Early in his
life, Medina learned the value of hard work as his family traveled from
Arizona to California following the crop seasons as migrant workers.
By eighth grade, he had to drop out of school to help support the family.
He later joined the Arizona National Guard. Training he received in
the guard also motivated him to earn his GED. Now, as a successful
business owner, Medina continues to live in Glendale within five miles of
the modest home where he was raised.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_1312
Terry
Mead (left) and Gwen Anthony present a RAAD (Raising Awareness About
Diversity)
Grant to Tony Cook (center) of Apollo High School.
____________________
Outstanding
Board Member Award
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC 1442.
Judy
Sanchez accepts the Outstanding Board Member Award for her seven years of
service to the Glendale Chamber Foundation. Sanchez, who is director
of Development and Alumni Services for Glendale Community College, has
chaired the César Chávez Breakfast the past seven years. Behind her
are - Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC (left) and Tony Moya Community Relations Program Manager,
SRP and Master of Ceremonies, (right).
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Judy
Sanchez "Outstanding Board Member Award" winner.
 
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
(Photo
on the left) Martin Samaniego, President, Glendale
Chamber Foundation, Judy
Sanchez "Outstanding Board Member Award" winner and Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC.
Painting of César Chávez by Las Artes de Maricopa
(Photo
on the right) Judy
Sanchez "Outstanding Board Member Award" winner.
Painting of César Chávez by Las Artes de Maricopa
Bill
Nelson, Judy
Sanchez "Outstanding Board Member Award" winner,
Polly Baughman - City of Glendale Marketing Dept and June Nelson Glendale
Chamber Foundation
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Don Logan, Diversity
Administrator, City of Glendale
Shows off one of the wonderful Canvases done by Las Artes de Maricopa
2011 César
Chávez
Breakfast Celebrating Diversity Program
Glendale Chamber of Commerce .
City of Glendale/Hispanic Network Group
Prelude Mariachi Music
Mariachi Del Sol
Civic Center
Master of Ceremony
General introduction
Art Othon, Master of Ceremony
Color Guard
Glendale Police and Fire Dept. Department Honor Guards
National Anthem
Coyote Ridge Elementary School
Invocation
Pastor John Torres, New Life Community Church
Dance Entertainment
During Breakfast
Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana
Master of
Ceremony
Introductions/Welcome/Sponsor Acknowledgement
Opening Remarks
Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva - District 7.
Special Recognitions
Dignitaries in
Introduction of
Keynote Speaker by Sponsor (Qwest)
Alex Juarez,Multi-Cultural Marketing, Qwest ' Communications"..
Keynote Speaker
Paul Luna, President & CEO, Helios Education Foundation
Introduction of
the Chairman of the Glendale Chamber Foundation
Tony Moya, Community Relations Program . " Manager, SRP
Diversity awards
presentation
Martin Samaniego, Chairman, Glendale Chamber Foundation
Master of Ceremony
Closing
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PAUL
J. LUNA KEYNOTED CÉSAR CHÁVEZ BREAKFAST
Photo by - Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
Atendees of the eighth annual César Chávez Breakfast in
Glendale were provided inspiration by Helios Education Foundation
president and CEO Paul J. Luna who gave the keynote address at the
March 31 event.
The
breakfast, which is sponsored by the city of Glendale and the
Glendale Chamber Foundation, honors the legacy of Chávez who worked
tirelessly to secure dignity,
respect, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and humane
living conditions, as well as countless other rights and protections
for the nation’s farm workers. Like Chávez,
the keynote speaker’s career has been devoted to serving others.
Luna
formerly served as president of Valley of the Sun United Way where
he led a community-wide fundraising effort approaching $50 million.
Under his presidency, Valley of the Sun United Way was consistently
recognized for its community initiatives on early childhood
education, youth workforce development and domestic violence
intervention. Currently, Luna heads the Helios Education
Foundation. Its vision is to see that every individual in
Arizona and Florida has the opportunity to attend and is prepared to
succeed in postsecondary education. Since its inception in
2004, the Helios Foundation has invested millions of dollars in
education-related programs. It is the largest Arizona and
Florida philanthropic organization focused solely on education.
Below,
you will find a link to hear Paul Luna's speech and some of the
other high points of the breakfast.
Trimmed
segments of the presentation... over an hour long... broadband only
Best to save a
copy to you computer and watch it there... then you can scroll back and
forth.... right click on link and 'SAVE AS'
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The mission of the Glendale Chamber Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization,
is to provide business and educational opportunities to support and
celebrate diversity in the community. Join us in celebrating the life,
legacy and leadership of César E. Chávez.
Las Artes de Maricopa : Diana
Calderon (green sweater) -Art Coordinator (artist/instructor)
Annette Moreno (black shirt) –student (helped paint canvas)
Martin Moreno – Art Director (artist/instructor)
Angelica Munoz (grey shirt) –student (helped paint canvas)
Photo by - Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet
www.glendaledailyplanet.com
Other great links on
César Chávez from the Los Angles Library
Resources about César
E. Chávez and the United Farm Workers
Additional
Photos
 
Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
(Left
Photo) Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
(right
photo) Lorraine Eiler Tohono O'odham Nation with Cactus
Councilperson Phil Lieberman
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Jaime Aldama,
Ocotillo Councilperson Norma Alvarez and Irene Valenzuela
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
One of the wonderful Canvases done by Las Artes de
Maricopa
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
(Left) Las Artes de
Maricopa table display in
lobby
(Right photo) Marin Moreno Las Artes de Maricopa Art Director
and Amanda Las Artes de Maricopa case worker.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Entertainment
for the breakfast was provided by Ballet Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana.
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
(Left Photo) Councilperson Manny Martinez
(Right
Photo) (L to R) Terry Mead Chamber Foundation, Gwen Anthony accepting a RAAD (Raising Awareness About
Diversity) Award and Art
Othon, Retired APS Executive and
Chairman of t he Board, WESTMARC
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
(Left Photo) Rose Cook from Glendale Community
College
(Right
Photo) Julie Frisoni Glendale Marketing and Communications
Director
and Don Logan, Diversity
Administrator, City of Glendale
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Ed Sharpe
Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV and Lulu Rodriguez from
Bit-zee Mama's Restaurant 7023 N. 58th Ave Glendale AZ
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