County schools Superintendent Mike Sanchez honored by Hollister
Youth Alliance at annual ceremony
San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Mike Sanchez was
given the Community Hero Award by the Hollister Youth Alliance at
its annual dinner on Dec. 3.
County schools Superintendent Mike Sanchez honored by Hollister Youth Alliance at annual ceremony
San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Mike Sanchez was given the Community Hero Award by the Hollister Youth Alliance at its annual dinner on Dec. 3.
Sanchez, while honored by the recognition, was quick to credit the youth-focused organization for its impact on at-risk young people.
“I am pleased by the amount of support the Hollister Youth Alliance is getting,” he said. “I remember when the idea for the organization came forth and [executive director] Diane Ortiz was talking about it. To see it come to fruition is really special. It’s pretty special to watch support build for young people.”
Sanchez, the former principal of San Andreas Continuation High School, said he has had young people talk to him about how the youth alliance has been an advocate for them when they were without one.
“They’ve given kids the support and attention they need and they’ll even contact schools to be a liaison,” he said. “That’s tremendous for a kid who does not have someone in their corner.”
Organizers said the turnout for the fundraiser at Cedar House Restaurant showcased how important the youth-focused organization is to the area.
Enrique Arreola, executive director of the alliance’s board of directors, said he was “touched” by the turnout at the hero awards, which also honored San Benito High School senior Juan Castro Cruz III, Mary Anne Hughes, executive director of the Community Food Bank, and Anita Wilson of Community Solutions.
“It was a packed house and a beautiful event,” said Arreola, who works at the county’s One-Stop Center. “I was left in awe. It helps you step aside and reflect on the good that’s done in the community.”
Ortiz, who heads the youth alliance, said three-minute videos about each honoree were shown at the awards dinner.
“There were a few tears here and there and we received comments that it was one of the most meaningful and personal awards ceremonies that people have been to,” she said.
Hollister City Councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez, county supervisor Margie Barrios – Sanchez’s sister – and other local dignitaries attended the event.
“It was kind of cool to think about how we were honoring individuals on the whole spectrum,” Ortiz said. “We honored the youth and people who work with youth as well as people that feed and keep families safe. It spanned the whole range of what it means to have a good community.”
