John Fraijo is the 2018 Irwindale Young Citizen of the Year

The 2018 Young Citizen of the Year Competition was held at the Irwindale Senior Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. Irwindale Chamber Immediate Past Chair of the Board and City of Hope Associate-Community and Government Affairs, Victor Benavides served as the event emcee to a packed room of local residents, family members of the contestants, local elected officials, city staff and business representatives. Four outstanding Irwindale youth competed by presenting an original essay discussing their thoughts on what they feel are the major challenges facing youth today. The contestants also responded to impromptu questions from the judges. John Fraijo, Eddie Omar Herrera, Alexander Burrola and Jenna Soria all impressed the judges with their confidence, poise, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and community involvement. Marlene Carney, Irwindale Chamber CEO, said “We are so proud of these smart and thoughtful kids that care about the community and are willing to step out there and do what it takes to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others. The Irwindale Chamber considers this a very important chamber event and applauds the participants.”

Irwindale Mayor Mark Breceda, Councilmember H. Manuel Ortiz, Councilmember Larry Burrola, and Planning Commissioner Enoch Burrola were in attendance, along with the 2017 Young Citizen of the Year, Jonathan Almazan. Also in attendance were Irwindale Chamber Board members and staff. Hope Café & Catering provided a lovely dinner.

This event could not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, committee members, judges, and attendees. Special thanks to PRESENTING Sponsor The Gas Company (a Sempra Utility Company), DINNER sponsor Hope Café & Catering, SPEECH Sponsors City of Hope, Foothill Transit, Premiere Career College and United Rock Products, PHOTOGRAPHY Sponsor, Steve Castro of Eagle Photography. Many thanks go to the Irwindale Young Citizen of the Year Committee: Delfina Osterheim from Irwindale Recreation Center, Rebecca Bardales from the Irwindale Senior Center and Irwindale Chamber staff members Veronica Orosco and Amanda Arellan. Additional thanks go to all the Irwindale Senior Center Staff as well as to the event judges- Phyllis Ferguson of California Custom Fruits and Flavors, Martha Gamboa of YaYa Fitness and Veronica Ceballos from East San Gabriel Valley ROP.