Be a part of another historic celebration this January 2010 as we commemorated a Civil Rights leader who changed the nation—The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-- an example of what each and everyone of us can do and be ...
Our 2010 Theme:
Living the Dream,
Let Freedom Ring
for
Rebuilding Our Community
and
Nation Through Education.
Find out how you can be a volunteer or a performer in next year's 2011 events!
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Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unity Committee
Unity Committee
Fresno
Outstanding Young Adult Award
Blair Elizabeth Smittcamp
Outstanding Organization Award
Central California Baseball Academy
Outstanding Business Award
McCormick Barstow
Outstanding Service Woman Award
Rev. Sophia Dewitt
Outstanding Service Man Award
Rev. Don Romsa
For Immediate Release
Jan. 8, 2010
Media Contact: Gail Gaston--cell#: 559-68...
Website: www.mlkfresno.com
Mayor to address five Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award recipients at African-American Museum Reception
Community advocates are honored for their dedicated service to the Valley
Fresno, CA— "Living the Dream, Let Freedom Ring for Rebuilding Our Community and Nation Through Education," is this year's 2010 theme developed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee, City of Fresno (MLK Committee) who puts on an annual weekend of events and celebrations honoring the endeavors of Dr. King.
Every year, community-driven citizens, young adults or youth, one business and one organization are honored by the MLK Committee who recognizes community advocates for their service and dedication to the citizens of the San Joaquin Valley, based on the current theme.
This year the committee chose the following award recipients: for the citizens awards, Rev. Don Romsa and Rev. Sophia Dewitt; for the outstanding young adult, Blair Smittcamp; for the organization service award, Central Cal Baseball Academy, and for the business service award, McCormick Barstow Law Firm.
City of Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, the keynote speaker, will also award these five recipients at the MLK Awards Reception open to the public on Jan. 15th at the African-American Museum at 6 p.m. located at 1857 Fulton St. Awardees are then honored at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program on Monday, Jan. 18th at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium. Below are bios of all five awardees being honored.
Outstanding Organization Service Award , Central California Baseball Academy
Central California Baseball Academy has had a successful 2009 as it accomplished many positive milestones in a relatively brief period. Terrance Frazier, former Fresno State University baseball player from 1988-89 and in 1991 player for the Oakland A’s organization, founded the academy in the early 2000’s. In August a new version of Central California Baseball Academy evolved where the prime focuses became academics and community service. On the academic side, Central California Baseball is unveiling an academic tutoring center, available to its members and to students from disadvantaged areas of the Valley. Players will be used as tutors and mentors as well as academic professionals. John Vidinoff of Fresno City College will lead the tutoring center. In regards to community service, Central Cal Academy has been involved with Clovis Community Food Drive led by Susan Friessen benefitting servicemen abroad, also donations to Fresno’s Cecil C. Hinton Community Center and to the Fresno Police Department in the name of Central Cal Academy. Part of the generous donation was used to purchase approximately 400 turkeys in which Terrance's family and Central Cal members personally distributed them to local families for the holidays. Also donations were made to the PAL program and several community services. 2010 Central Cal Academy will focus on helping disadvantaged youth getting opportunities to prosper in society. It is a credit to Terrance’s Central Cal Academy, dedicated leadership and passion for the Valley that has made Central California Baseball Academy an organization that will continue to flourish.
Outstanding Young Adult Service Awards, Blair Smittcamp
Blair is a junior at Fresno State majoring in Mass Communications and Journalism, gearing up for a career in Public Relations. She is also involved in the Delta Gamma Sorority at CSUF. Currently Blair is working as an intern at Blackwell and Glines Marketing Firm in Clovis. Recently she was a model in a fashion show that Benefitted Saint Angus Hospital, also earlier this year Blair modeled for Cowgirl U, that benefitted Central Valley Blood Bank. She was the welcoming Rodeo Queen for the La Feliz Guilds Derby Down A Day at the Races, benefitting Children’s Hospital. Blair also attends The Well Community Church. As for Blair and her horses, she is an active member in several different barrel racing organizations in California and nationwide. Along with barrel racing Blair has also started competitively competing in Reining Cow Horse associations. Blair has ran for the Miss Clovis Rodeo Queen title in 2007 and 2008 and both times won the Horsemanship award and was awarded 1st runner up. Then in July of 2008, she became Miss California Rodeo Salinas, representing the largest rodeo in California. In October of 2009 she then ran for the state title Miss Rodeo California and was 2ndrunner up and received the Judges Spirit Award. Blair is caring, giving, a community advocate and she is service oriented.
Outstanding Business Service Award, McCormick Barstow LLP
Since its founding in 1951, McCormick Barstow LLP has been viewed as one of the Central Valley’s premier law firms. The firm’s attorneys are committed to providing the highest quality legal representation to their clients. This commitment has helped make McCormick Barstow the largest law firm between Sacramento and Los Angeles, as well as one of the most respected law firms in the state. As a good corporate citizen, the firm supports its attorneys and staff as they actively volunteer their time to work with worthwhile charitable organizations and causes. Attorneys volunteering their time to coach high school and college level mock trial teams is just one example of how the firm’s attorneys give back to their communities.
Outstanding Citizen Service Award, Rev. Sophia DeWitt
Born in Italy through a premature birth in 1974, Sophia was able to manage her cerebral palsy while growing up in Fresno. During her Junior and Senior high school year, Sophia volunteered at Planned Parenthood and with Barbara Boxer's first senatorial campaign, and was an active member of the Fresno Chapter of NOW. Sophia received a B.A. in 1996 from Mills College in Oakland, majoring in Political-Legal-Economic Analysis. She also served for two years on the President's Committee on Diversity. While attending Mills College, Sophia worked as an intern in The White House. She was a recipient of the Woodruff Fellowship for four years and completed the graduate program in 2002 with a Masters in Divinity from the Candler School of Theology. Sophia returned to Fresno after graduation, and during 2003 volunteered at FIRM (Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries). This led to her being hired full-time in 2004, as Director of the Hmong Health Project. She continues to work at FIRM, now as Director of Health, Housing and Senior Services, and has become their principal grant-writer. With a team from FIRM, Sophia has travelled twice to Laos on two-week-long mission trips, providing training for church leaders in bsp; disabilities. In March, 2004, Sophia was ordained at First Congregational Church of Fresno as a minister of the United Church of Christ. She serves on the Justice and Witness Board of the Northern California-Nevada Conference of the UCC, and is the current Moderator of the Conference. From 2005 - 2008, Sophia served on the Board of the California Council of Churches. Here in Fresno, Sophia serves on the Board of Faith In Community/PICO and as Vice-Chair of the Board of the Fresno Housing Alliance.
Outstanding Citizen Service Award, Pastor Don Romsa
Eighteen years ago, Don Romsa and his family moved to Fresno where Don serves as the Lutheran Campus Pastor. During his time in Fresno, Don has helped initiate and develop a variety of service programs and projects, designed primarily to involve and engage university students in service to the Fresno community. These service programs include:
Direction Sports -- a literacy and basketball program for children at the Academy for New Americans.
University HOPE -- a house construction project providing homes for low-income families. The project will begin construction on its eleventh house in 2010.
The SMILE Center -- an after-school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children at Vinland Elementary School.
Project TEAM -- a project that trained university students to serve as "resource ambassadors" to newly arriving immigrant families.
The Bulldog Food Pantry -- a student-run pantry that provides healthy and nutritious food to 150-200 families in need every Saturday morning.
As a result of these programs and projects, literally thousands of university students have provided thousands of service hours to the Fresno community. In addition, these programs have helped the university students develop the own leadership skills and their commitment to a life of service and compassion.
Jan. 8, 2010
Media Contact: Gail Gaston--cell#:
Website: www.mlkfresno.com
Mayor to address five Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award recipients at African-American Museum Reception
Community advocates are honored for their dedicated service to the Valley
Fresno, CA— "Living the Dream, Let Freedom Ring for Rebuilding Our Community and Nation Through Education," is this year's 2010 theme developed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee, City of Fresno (MLK Committee) who puts on an annual weekend of events and celebrations honoring the endeavors of Dr. King.
Every year, community-driven citizens, young adults or youth, one business and one organization are honored by the MLK Committee who recognizes community advocates for their service and dedication to the citizens of the San Joaquin Valley, based on the current theme.
This year the committee chose the following award recipients: for the citizens awards, Rev. Don Romsa and Rev. Sophia Dewitt; for the outstanding young adult, Blair Smittcamp; for the organization service award, Central Cal Baseball Academy, and for the business service award, McCormick Barstow Law Firm.
City of Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, the keynote speaker, will also award these five recipients at the MLK Awards Reception open to the public on Jan. 15th at the African-American Museum at 6 p.m. located at 1857 Fulton St. Awardees are then honored at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program on Monday, Jan. 18th at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium. Below are bios of all five awardees being honored.
Outstanding Organization Service Award , Central California Baseball Academy
Central California Baseball Academy has had a successful 2009 as it accomplished many positive milestones in a relatively brief period. Terrance Frazier, former Fresno State University baseball player from 1988-89 and in 1991 player for the Oakland A’s organization, founded the academy in the early 2000’s. In August a new version of Central California Baseball Academy evolved where the prime focuses became academics and community service. On the academic side, Central California Baseball is unveiling an academic tutoring center, available to its members and to students from disadvantaged areas of the Valley. Players will be used as tutors and mentors as well as academic professionals. John Vidinoff of Fresno City College will lead the tutoring center. In regards to community service, Central Cal Academy has been involved with Clovis Community Food Drive led by Susan Friessen benefitting servicemen abroad, also donations to Fresno’s Cecil C. Hinton Community Center and to the Fresno Police Department in the name of Central Cal Academy. Part of the generous donation was used to purchase approximately 400 turkeys in which Terrance's family and Central Cal members personally distributed them to local families for the holidays. Also donations were made to the PAL program and several community services. 2010 Central Cal Academy will focus on helping disadvantaged youth getting opportunities to prosper in society. It is a credit to Terrance’s Central Cal Academy, dedicated leadership and passion for the Valley that has made Central California Baseball Academy an organization that will continue to flourish.
Outstanding Young Adult Service Awards, Blair Smittcamp
Blair is a junior at Fresno State majoring in Mass Communications and Journalism, gearing up for a career in Public Relations. She is also involved in the Delta Gamma Sorority at CSUF. Currently Blair is working as an intern at Blackwell and Glines Marketing Firm in Clovis. Recently she was a model in a fashion show that Benefitted Saint Angus Hospital, also earlier this year Blair modeled for Cowgirl U, that benefitted Central Valley Blood Bank. She was the welcoming Rodeo Queen for the La Feliz Guilds Derby Down A Day at the Races, benefitting Children’s Hospital. Blair also attends The Well Community Church. As for Blair and her horses, she is an active member in several different barrel racing organizations in California and nationwide. Along with barrel racing Blair has also started competitively competing in Reining Cow Horse associations. Blair has ran for the Miss Clovis Rodeo Queen title in 2007 and 2008 and both times won the Horsemanship award and was awarded 1st runner up. Then in July of 2008, she became Miss California Rodeo Salinas, representing the largest rodeo in California. In October of 2009 she then ran for the state title Miss Rodeo California and was 2ndrunner up and received the Judges Spirit Award. Blair is caring, giving, a community advocate and she is service oriented.
Outstanding Business Service Award, McCormick Barstow LLP
Since its founding in 1951, McCormick Barstow LLP has been viewed as one of the Central Valley’s premier law firms. The firm’s attorneys are committed to providing the highest quality legal representation to their clients. This commitment has helped make McCormick Barstow the largest law firm between Sacramento and Los Angeles, as well as one of the most respected law firms in the state. As a good corporate citizen, the firm supports its attorneys and staff as they actively volunteer their time to work with worthwhile charitable organizations and causes. Attorneys volunteering their time to coach high school and college level mock trial teams is just one example of how the firm’s attorneys give back to their communities.
Outstanding Citizen Service Award, Rev. Sophia DeWitt
Born in Italy through a premature birth in 1974, Sophia was able to manage her cerebral palsy while growing up in Fresno. During her Junior and Senior high school year, Sophia volunteered at Planned Parenthood and with Barbara Boxer's first senatorial campaign, and was an active member of the Fresno Chapter of NOW. Sophia received a B.A. in 1996 from Mills College in Oakland, majoring in Political-Legal-Economic Analysis. She also served for two years on the President's Committee on Diversity. While attending Mills College, Sophia worked as an intern in The White House. She was a recipient of the Woodruff Fellowship for four years and completed the graduate program in 2002 with a Masters in Divinity from the Candler School of Theology. Sophia returned to Fresno after graduation, and during 2003 volunteered at FIRM (Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries). This led to her being hired full-time in 2004, as Director of the Hmong Health Project. She continues to work at FIRM, now as Director of Health, Housing and Senior Services, and has become their principal grant-writer. With a team from FIRM, Sophia has travelled twice to Laos on two-week-long mission trips, providing training for church leaders in bsp; disabilities. In March, 2004, Sophia was ordained at First Congregational Church of Fresno as a minister of the United Church of Christ. She serves on the Justice and Witness Board of the Northern California-Nevada Conference of the UCC, and is the current Moderator of the Conference. From 2005 - 2008, Sophia served on the Board of the California Council of Churches. Here in Fresno, Sophia serves on the Board of Faith In Community/PICO and as Vice-Chair of the Board of the Fresno Housing Alliance.
Outstanding Citizen Service Award, Pastor Don Romsa
Eighteen years ago, Don Romsa and his family moved to Fresno where Don serves as the Lutheran Campus Pastor. During his time in Fresno, Don has helped initiate and develop a variety of service programs and projects, designed primarily to involve and engage university students in service to the Fresno community. These service programs include:
Direction Sports -- a literacy and basketball program for children at the Academy for New Americans.
University HOPE -- a house construction project providing homes for low-income families. The project will begin construction on its eleventh house in 2010.
The SMILE Center -- an after-school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children at Vinland Elementary School.
Project TEAM -- a project that trained university students to serve as "resource ambassadors" to newly arriving immigrant families.
The Bulldog Food Pantry -- a student-run pantry that provides healthy and nutritious food to 150-200 families in need every Saturday morning.
As a result of these programs and projects, literally thousands of university students have provided thousands of service hours to the Fresno community. In addition, these programs have helped the university students develop the own leadership skills and their commitment to a life of service and compassion.
