SALINAS VALLEY — Six South Monterey County students were recognized for completing a summer leadership program and local artists were honored for their work last month during Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez’s annual open house in King City.
The South County Young Leaders program was created by Lopez to build leadership skills and civic awareness among local students. Participants receive a stipend through the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation and spend the summer visiting legislators and local leaders, attending a Board of Supervisors meeting and hearing from officials in law enforcement, health services, county government and other fields.
The students also work on ongoing projects, including a resume and a policy presentation.
This year’s graduates were Eduardo Aguilera Rodriguez, Jovahny Lazaro, Roxana Lopez-Hernandez, Dalilah Reyes, Michael Romero and Griselda Santos Perez.
In a social media post following the July 30 event held inside his District 3 office on Broadway, Lopez congratulated the graduates and thanked them for spending their summer with the program.
“The Grower-Shipper Association Foundation made sure each student walked away with an investment in their future and a world of new connections to fortify them along the path that lies ahead,” Lopez said.
The open house also featured the sixth annual “We Are Southern Monterey County” painting and photography competition, presented by Lopez and open to regional artists working in painting, drawing or photography.
The competition was created to highlight the beauty of South County, including the people who live there. This year’s contest drew close to 40 participants, with 13 overall winners and one grand-prize winner.
Brady Nations received the grand prize for his photo titled “Moonrise Over Barn.”
“The piece stood out for how well it captured the beauty of Southern Monterey County,” according to Lopez’s district staff. “Brady has been a consistent contributor to the contest over the years and has shown a real eye and skill behind the camera.”
The open house also brought together elected officials and community leaders, including Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto, Undersheriff Keith Boyd, King City Mayor Mike LeBarre, Gonzales Mayor Pro Tem Liz Silva, Soledad Councilmember Eva Banuelos, Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo, Chief Probation Officer José Ramirez and Social Services Director Roderick Franks.
South County businesses contributed gift baskets for the event, and Creekside Farms in Greenfield provided a wreath for Nations as the grand-prize winner.
“I want to thank everyone who came, submitted artwork and shared their time with our young leaders this summer,” Lopez said. “While the heat has us all looking for reprieve, it was great to see everyone come out and share space and conversation in the office that belongs to you.”
