For Immediate Release: January 27, 2022

Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today, released the following statement regarding the first annual “Spirit of SD 14 Awards” to be held tomorrow, January 28 at 2:00pm:

“This year’s Spirit of SD 14 Awardees represent the dedication, tenacity and spirit of the Central Valley,” said Senator Hurtado. “Many of those awarded today have gone above and beyond in their service to the 14^th Senate District, and their community. Their service contributes to why Senate District 14 is such a great place to live. Congratulations!”

The 2021 SD 14 Awardees are:

Artist of the Year: Silvia Gonzalez Scherer
Educator of the Year: April Silva
Farmer of the Year: Robert McKellar
Small Business of the Year: Overland Stockyard
Community Service of the Year, Individual: Elizabeth Rodriguez
Police Officer of the Year: Officer Angel Hernandez
Veteran of the Year: Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Gong
Community Service of the Year, Organization: Kern Community Action Organization
Volunteer of the Year: Jerry Hall
Students of the Year: Alondra Montalvo, Sierra Albiar, Khloe Verdugo, Seniya Schluter, and Brinlee Swann
Woman of the Year: Margarita Ortega
Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Fresno Freedom School Demonstration Farm
Firefighter of the Year: Lieutenant Nicholas Nave
Healthcare Worker of the Year: Dr. Carlos Guerra-Sanchez

In October, Senator Hurtado requested that residents of the 14th Senate District submit their nominations for the awards. The 14th Senate District spans across four counties: Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Kings. Submissions were accepted for people who live or work in SD 14, or who have impacted a community in the district.

To watch the 2021 Spirit of SD 14 Awards, please click here for the zoom link, or watch live on Senator Hurtado’s Facebook.

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado

###