Contact: Juliet V. Casey, jcasey@losmedaonos.edu, (925) 473-7322
PITTSBURG, Calif. – Since 1995, Los Medanos College has honored generations of activists, service providers, educators, students and more. We are proud of our tradition of honoring the leaders born out of East Contra Costa County’s agricultural community. Los Medanos College (LMC) this year is pleased to announce honorees of the 2026 La Fuerza del Pueblo: Farmworkers’ Movement Legacy Awards Celebration.
Honorees will receive recognition at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3 in the Student Union Conference Center, 2700 E. Leland Road. The awards celebrate community members who stand models of service, activism, and non-violent social change. Event details are posted at on the event website.
This year’s honorees:
Exemplary Community Service
For long-standing commitment to: service to others, sacrifice, helping people in need,
non-violence, acceptance of all people, respect for life and the environment, celebrating
community, knowledge, and innovation.
- Maria Reyes, community organizer and community health education manager for La Clinica de la Raza
East County Educator Award
For demonstrating a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students
of color, and those from low-income families.
- Elizabeth Gonzalez, Liberty High School English teacher
- Italo Rossi, Antioch High School Biology/Human Anatomy/Physiology teacher
La Fuerza del Pueblo Spirit Award
For students who embody the spirit of the farmworkers’ movement and who, within the
past year, have made a significant impact on the local community in the areas of advocacy
and social justice.
- Salvador Velazquez, Los Medanos College student and president of LMC Associated Students
- Natalia Longoria, Los Medanos College student and president of LMC Puente Club, member of the EOPS program and Puente Program
- Juan Rubio, Antioch High School student, member of AVID program and founder of Youthful Hearts Service Organization
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.