Contra Costa County Announces 2025 Youth Hall of Fame

As part of the 31st Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration, Contra Costa County announced its 2025 Youth Hall of Fame.

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will host the 31st Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. The event will be broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

“We honor César E. Chávez and his enduring legacy of fighting injustice and uplifting the lives of farmworkers and their families.,” said Board Chair Candace Andersen. “His dedication to service continues to inspire us. In this spirit, we also recognize the outstanding 2025 Youth Hall of Fame awardees, whose commitment to service and community reflects Chávez’s mission.”

The theme for this year’s celebration is His Legacy Our Time – Su Legado Nuestro Tiempo. The festival will feature keynote speakers Antonio Quintero and Douglas Lezameta. Armando Quintero has been the Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation since 2020. With a background in environmental sciences, Quintero has held leadership roles at the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, the California Water Commission, and the National Park Service. Douglas Lezameta is a dynamic podcast producer, host, and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County, leading efforts to empower Hispanic businesses and promote community growth. With a career spanning 19 years, he founded Fusion Latina Network, creating content across multiple platforms, including podcasts, live video streaming, and TV channels, to uplift and connect the Hispanic community.

The event will include presentation of the 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Awards to students who make outstanding community contributions, live performances by Salseros with Arthur Murray Dance Studios and remarks from the Board of Supervisors.

Here are the County’s 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Awards winners:

High School Awardees:

• Volunteerism: Megan Reese Dowdy, Heritage High School
• Teamwork: Christophe Davis, Miramonte High School
• Perseverance: Kaelyn Matthis, Pinole High School
• Leadership & Civic Engagement: Karlina J. Meyer, Carondelet High School
• Good Samaritan: Arianna Shirin Bustamante, Campolindo High School
• Innovation and Empowerment: Johann Webber, Stanford University Online High School

Middle School Rising Stars

• Volunteerism Rising Star: Hope Huffmaster, Knightsen Elementary School
• Perseverance: Maddox Lindsey-Pedraza, Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
• Innovation & Empowerment: Aalia Bachar, Knightsen Elementary School

The annual celebration honors the diversity and richness of our community. To learn more about the César E. Chávez Ceremony, visit https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6039 on the Contra Costa County website. The community can also watch the event live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov/6086 or www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and Astound 32 & 1027.

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Previous

• Feb 21 – Nominations for the Cesar E. Chavez Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Due by February 25
• March 2024 – Board of Supervisors to Host Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration