INLAND EMPIRE
They are 30 young, accomplished Latino students and professionals destined to bring about positive change in the Inland Empire -- individuals like, Jocelyn Sandoval, a 17-year-old San Bernardino student, who works with fellow students to present a unified voice to the school board on the issues of school violence and creating jobs for teens; or, Enrique Acuna, 32, a staff attorney and director of the Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association, which is opening up new legal clinics and offering services to indigent clients.
Sandoval and Acuna were among 30 Latinos and Native Americans identified and honored at a recognition breakfast sponsored by Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto) during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
 30 under 30 honorees: Top row, from left: Ramiro Porras, Michael Montano, Stephanie Rodarmel, Steve Holguin, Haide Lopez, Orlando Hernandez, Manuel Joe Carrillo, Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, Fabian Carballo, Juan Lopez, district director, Assembly Member Carter; Francisco Miranda, Robert Madrigal Jr., Carmen Fleming, Enrique Acuna, Guadalupe Gonzales, Hector Murrieta, Larrisa M. Gomez Vasquez, Ryan C. Ulibarri, Carrisa Jaquish, Gabriel Rodriguez; second row, from left, Ana Medrana of San Bernardino, Teresa Gonzalez, Isabel Marie Salas, Dolores Montoya, Teresa Tafoya, Sonia Carrillo of San Bernardino, Angie Denisse Otiniano, Andrea Ordaz, Laughing Bear (Maria Torrez-Dulgeroff) and Jocelyn Sandoval. Not pictured: Lizette Navarette.
"They were honored for their talents, skills and achievements," said Assembly Member Carter, who held her second annual event on Sept. 27 at Cal State San Bernardino. "It's time the public hear about the good that young people are doing in our community. Our honorees serve as role models to all young people and demonstrate what is possible through passion, dedication and perseverance."
Honorees were selected by a nominating committee of area educators and community volunteers. Not one honoree came from a privileged family background. Often they were the first in their family to attend college. "Each managed to find the time to help support their family, while contributing to the larger community," Assembly Member Carter said.
The Latino and Native Americans, under age 35, who were honored reside or work in the 62nd Assembly District. The district includes the cities of Rialto, Colton, portions of Fontana and San Bernardino and unincorporated communities of Muscoy and Bloomington.
The "30 Under 30" honorees were: Ramiro Porras, director, Inland Empire Future Leaders; Dolores Montoya, graduate assistant intern for the Women's Resource Center at Cal State San Bernardino; Michael Montoya, Target operations group leader; Stephanie Rodarmel, a student and Inland Empire Future Leaders volunteer; Steve Holguin, assistant general manager for Inland Empire Region of California Charter Schools Association; Haide Lopez, Serrano Middle School counselor; Orlando Hernandez, senior planner, City of Fontana; Manuel Joe Carrillo, 32nd District representative for state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino); Fabian Carballo, Bloomington High School teacher;Francisco Miranda, Colton administrator, William McKinley Elementary School; Robert Madrigal Jr., elementary public school teacher in San Bernardino; Carmen Fleming; secretary and community liaison, City of Fontana; Guadalupe Gonzales, San Gorgonio High School student, and community organizer for youth groups; Hector Murrieta, vice principal, San Bernardino High School and volunteer for faith-based initiatives, Pro-Liberis; Larrisa M. Gomez Vasquez, a computer trainer and volunteer community project worker in Costa Rica; Ryan C. Ulibarri; executive director, Project Life Impact; Carrisa Jaquish, Redlands police officer and community volunteer; Gabriel Rodriguez, mentoring program director, City of San Bernardino; Lizette Navarette, youth coordinator, Office of Mayor, City of Riverside; Ana Medrana, Cajon High School student and mentor, counselor and student organizer; Teresa Gonzalez, San Bernardino High School, athletic department secretary and mentor; Isabel Marie Salas, student, San Bernardino Valley College and volunteer, Colton Chamber of Commerce; Teresa Tafoya, attorney and congressional representative, U.S. Rep. Joe Baca, and ACLU Latino Rights Project volunteer; Sonia Carrillo, program manager, Planned Parenthood; Angie Denise Otiniano, public health doctoral student, UCLA; Andrea Ordaz, clinic assistant and volunteer, Planned Parenthood; Laughing Bear (Maria Torrez-Dulgeroff), recent graduate, bilingual teaching, Cal State San Bernardino.
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