Pinole High student Kaelyn Matthis will be among several Contra Costa County students honored with a 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Award at the County Board of Supervisors’ 31st Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on April 1.
Matthis earned the 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Award for “perseverance,” which will be recognized at the celebration that will occur in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez.
The event will be broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s
website.
“We honor César E. Chávez and his enduring legacy of fighting injustice and uplifting the lives of farmworkers and their families,” said Board Chair Candace Andersen. “His dedication to service continues to inspire us. In this spirit, we also recognize the outstanding 2025 Youth Hall of Fame awardees, whose commitment to service and community reflects Chávez’s mission.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is His Legacy Our Time – Su Legado Nuestro Tiempo.
Antonio Quintero, director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation since 2020, and Douglas Lezameta, podcast producer, host and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County, will serve as keynote speakers.
The 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Awards presentation will occur as part of the event and serves to honor youth who have made outstanding community contributions. The event will also feature live performances by Salseros with Arthur Murray Dance Studios and remarks from the Board of Supervisors.
Here are the County’s 2025 Youth Hall of Fame Awards winners:
High School Awardees
- Volunteerism: Megan Reese Dowdy, Heritage High School
- Teamwork: Christophe Davis, Miramonte High School
- Perseverance: Kaelyn Matthis, Pinole High School
- Leadership &Civic Engagement: Karlina J. Meyer, Carondelet High School
- Good Samaritan: Arianna Shirin Bustamante, Campolindo High School
- Innovation and Empowerment: Johann Webber, Stanford University Online High School
Middle School Rising Stars
- Volunteerism Rising Star: Hope Huffmaster, Knightsen Elementary School
- Perseverance: Maddox Lindsey-Pedraza, Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
- Innovation & Empowerment: Aalia Bachar, Knightsen Elementary School
To learn more about the César E. Chávez Ceremony, visit the Contra Costa County
website. The community can also watch the event live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov/6086 or www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and Astound 32 & 1027.