C’YA stands with Jennifer Best, the Spirit of the West winner by unanimous decision on Saturday. Best embodies community spirit, a sense of giving and dedication while homeschooling and volunteering in many organizations. Left to Right: Bernadette Lauritzen C’YA Executive Director, Board Member Gabe Vigil, Jennifer Robinson Best, Board members Jeremy Herrera and Kate Stoddard with special thanks to volunteer Amanda Stoddard (not pictured). Photo by Chad Lauritzen

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) held the sixteen annual CommUNITY Asset Awards on Saturday afternoon, returning once again to the Betty Ehart Senior Center.

Thirty-eight nominees were recognized during an intergenerational event highlighting all ages from a toddler to senior citizens. Individuals, organizations, clubs, and businesses represented many ways our community where people make a difference.

A simple holiday interaction of young brothers Jack (6) and Percy (4) enjoying biscochitos with a couple after viewing the LDS creche show and making the holidays a little brighter, to the arduous work of a Shirlee Denmead raising her children while working full time and volunteering to mentor young girls and completing her master’s degree.

The awards were in a word, bountiful.

The leadership of LAHS senior Frank Sheppard, “He always serves as a reminder to those who know him that there are good, solid people who are stepping into roles of leadership for the future,” read the nomination.

Eric Peterson, the Open Space Manager for Los Alamos County, oversees 4,000 acres of one of our most precious resources. He may be wrangling wildlife for one minute while and educating the next. The nomination stated, “He reminds us that protecting nature means working together, and he helps make Los Alamos not just a beautiful place to live, but a better one.”

Jenny McCumber, of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation had two separate nominations, was unable to attend the event. Her decades of work and volunteerism in the community, in addition to an overwhelming positivity and the ability to enhance the mood of any room she enters, were just a few attributes.

The event concluded with Ted Romero of the United States Postal Service receiving the Director’s Choice Award. Romero was highlighted for almost 24 years of service to our local post office. His customer service skills, the ability to make new people feel welcome and always being ready with a joke make him a top-notch employee. Rumor has it that he could retire soon.

The afternoon concluded with the Spirit of the West Award. The award, so named for former Los Alamos County Councilor and 2007 Leadership Los Alamos graduate, Jim West. While arguably one of the best classes, the foundation was set in motion for a 2008 nomination process and a 2009 ceremony. LAHS student Peter Song took home the first award, named for West just prior to his passing.

This year, Jennifer Best took home a hand-crafted mountain lion made by Rich Welding, LLC. The list of what Best she doesn’t do might be shorter than her accomplishments. At the top of the list is her work as a post-partum doula, helping parents bring new lives into the world. Her nomination concluded with, “In every capacity, Jen Best helps strengthen the fabric of the community. She leads by example, creating a ripple effect of care, connection, and service that enriches Los Alamos for everyone who calls it home.”

Best’s response after the event was, “I am so honored to be included aspart of such a wonderful group of humans and absolutely humbled to have been chosen for the Spirit of the West award. Doing what is mine to do is just what I believe in.”

C’YA hopes to have full stories and photos of all the nominees on our Facebook and webpage over the next month. You can find it at www.cya-nm.org.

Community Asset Awards Nominees

Walt Atchison, Jennifer Best, Angel Carr, Sierra Cook, Shirlee Denmead, Andrew DeVecchio, Gabrielle di Luna, Elizabeth Romero-Duran, Skip Egdorf, April Fox, Will Fox, Barbara Garcia, Tammy Garcia, Nirmal Iyengar, Nalani Kimball, Antonio Maggiore, Jenny McCumber, Stephen Mosier, Joshua Muck, Eric Peterson, Kash Preston, David Roe, Ted Romero, Amy Ross, Sean Sandborgh, Skye Sandborgh, Frank Sheppard, Jim Shinas, Don Siebe, Roger Smith, Paul Treat, Karina Wilder, Charles, Ryan & James Wolking, Jack & Percy Zollinger, Business-Wheeed

America’s future leaders included LAHS senior Frank Sheppard who has donated three spring breaks to building homes for the less fortunate and leading by example. Seen here with Percy Zollinger one half of the dynamic duo of Jack and Percy, making the holidays a little brighter for a local family. Photo by Chad Lauritzen

Barbara Garica, Tammy Garcia and Gabrille Di Luna Represented the excellent customer service at Smith’s Marketplace Wheeed’s Jonathan LeDuc represents his staff and the great idea to put out free food pantry, Complete with mini fridge offerings during the government shutdown. Photo by Chad Lauritzen

Eric Peterson represents Los Alamos County along with 4,000 open space acres. and Antonio Maggiore is a tireless volunteer and advocate to encourage everyone to do their part to make Los Alamos great. Photo by Chad Lauritzen