The 5 honorees had been chosen for his or her assist and inspiration to the Valley — an actual level of delight for the group, stated chamber CEO DeVika Stalling.
“They’re all shining examples of what group is all about,” she stated. “These people collectively have a hand in making the Lompoc Valley a greater place for all.”
The night, which was emceed by chamber member Michael Carroll and supported by title sponsor Discover Lompoc, included cocktail hour, a silent public sale and leisure by Grady DiPietro. A full-course meal was catered by Chef V of Savory & Candy Eats.
Lompoc Excessive Faculty Principal Celeste Pico was named 2022 Girl of the 12 months for her contributions to youth and training.
Pico’s son, Isaiah Pico, accepted the crystal award on behalf of his mom who attended the occasion by way of FaceTime.
In Might 2020, Pico was promoted from assistant principal to principal at Lompoc Excessive Faculty. As an administrator, Pico helped the college earn a Gold Ribbon Award from the California Division of Schooling for sweeping efforts to enhance literacy in each classroom.
Stalling, who was named 2020 Girl of the 12 months, stated she was proud to move the baton “to my highschool good friend whom we each share the identical ardour on the subject of supporting our native youth and dedication to the Lompoc group.”
Different awardees included Annette Hernandez, proprietor of Simply 2 Candy Sweet Creations & Occasions, who acquired the Small Enterprise Hero Excellence Award for sustaining her small native enterprise during the last decade and Southside Espresso Co. proprietor Halle Bedford-Dyer, who accepted the New Enterprise Award as a budding entrepreneur.
Colleen and Matt Grant, founders of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, additionally had been acknowledged within the class of Excellent Neighborhood Assist, having gone “above and past the decision of responsibility to enhance the standard of life within the Lompoc Valley,” in keeping with the award standards. As well as, retired Lompoc Unified Faculty District instructor Dianna Ludden was named Chamber Volunteer of the 12 months for her assist of the chamber.
Every recipient acquired a crystal award and certificates of recognition.
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Hernandez, who launched her Lompoc-based occasions and design enterprise in 2017, expressed gratitude to the chamber for the award. She additionally thanked Rep. Salud Carbajal, Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne and third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann for the signed certificates in a social media submit.
Bedford-Dyer credit her assist system as the explanation for her success.
“From my dad and mom and household serving to out each time wanted to my superior supervisor, Sarah Hair, who is consistently arising with new concepts to assist the enterprise develop; associates who present up and assist like Nanette Mendez — she actually simply reveals up and can begin doing dishes or slicing meat if we’re in a pickle,” stated Bedford-Dyer, noting that even her accountants Jack and Wickie Rodenhi, who cope with the “backend workplace stuff,” have been instrumental.
“And, then, after all, all my superb prospects and this group who actually helped us maintain afloat, particularly throughout COVID shutdowns — the assist I’ve acquired has simply been unbelievable,” Bedford-Dyer stated.
Bedford-Dyer bought South Aspect Espresso Co. in June 2020 from authentic house owners Julie Biolley and Stacy Lowthorp, and managed to climate the storm of pandemic-induced restrictions and closures.
Bedford-Dyer beforehand said giving again to the group grew to become a chief cornerstone of her enterprise, prompting her to hunt out methods to boost consciousness and funds for native nonprofits by creatively displaying their trigger at her store.
The Grants additionally had been acknowledged for serving to fill a dire want with the operation of North County chapter Sleep in Heavenly Peace — an offshoot of the Kimberly, Idaho-based nonprofit which builds beds for underprivileged kids.
Working with a mission assertion that “no child sleeps on the ground in our city,” the Grants have drummed up assist via fundraising and bed-building occasions attended by members of the group.
As well as, the chamber acknowledged Ludden for her dynamism.
In a earlier interview, Stalling stated volunteers had been exhausting to come back by, particularly throughout the pandemic, and Ludden, who was chosen for the consideration by the chamber CEO and board of administrators, stepped as much as assist the group at a important time.
“Dianna is among the most real and selfless folks I’ve ever met, and I’m so grateful to have her as a part of the chamber group,” she stated.
