Board of Education trustee Claudia Rossi for the Morgan Hill Unified School District will be one of five recipients presented this evening with a 2013 California Peace Award.
As part of the National Night Out event at the Third Street Promenade in downtown Morgan Hill, beginning at 6 p.m., Rossi will be honored for her tireless work “as a community organizer advocating for at-risk youth and disabled students.”
Residents of the 30th California State Assembly District were asked to submit names of individuals throughout the area that have gone above and beyond to promote peace. Rossi was selected along with fellow recipients Dolores Villalon, of Hollister, Robert Scattini, of Hollister, Police Chief Eric C. Sills, of Soledad, and the Watsonville Police Activities League.
“Each year when the nomination period opens for the California Peace Award, dozens of individuals and their hard work is brought to light,” explained assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas). “It’s amazing to read about the dedication and commitment people have for their communities. I respect and value the work peace promoters invest to make our neighborhoods safer.”
Rossi was chosen for her “quality leadership and guidance in her efforts to implement a sports mentoring program, in which high school students, police officers, and other adults mentor students through organized sports programs.”
Nominations for the California Peace Award were accepted throughout July for individuals with a record of volunteerism and noteworthy accomplishments in their efforts to stop violence and create a safer community. Recipients must have had, over the past year, significantly contributed to the promotion of peace in the community.
After reviewing the nominations that were submitted, four candidates were selected for the California Peace Award because of their strong track record in promoting peace.
“It brings me great happiness to be able to present these individuals with the California Peace Award, acknowledging their commitment toward safety and peace,” said Alejo.
The National Association of Town Watch will join with law enforcement agencies, communities and business organizations throughout the nation to sponsor the 30th Annual National Night Out.
The event highlights the vital importance that citizen involvement has in the fight for a safer state and nation. More than 37 million people from more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, United States territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide participated in National Night Out in 2012.
The California Peace Awards will be presented at three different locations today: At the Mona Lisa Neighborhood/Muzzio Park Basketball Court at 26 W. Front Street in Watsonville; in downtown Morgan Hill at the Third Street Promenade; and at the Target at 1790 Airline Highway in Hollister.
