2012 Community Award Nominees Announced

This year’s nominees for the Pleasant Hill Community Awards have been announced, and will be chosen at the Awards Night on Thursday, Jan. 17, at Back Forty Texas Barbeque.

There are six nominees for Citizen of the Year. They are:

• Leanne Hamaji (board member, Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education);
• Jim Goonan (Pleasant Hill Baseball Assocation);
• Aleeta Slattery;
• Hilde Brautigam, president of the Antique Connection;
• Andy and Dagny Benz;
• Ken Housefeld (chair, Relay For Life).

The two nominees for Business of the Year are:

• Pleasant Hill Coin and Jewelry Exchange;
• Community Focus Magazine.

The nominees for Teen of the Year are:

• Helena Encarnacion-Strand (Junior at College Park);
• Dakota Valdez (Senior at College Park).

The only nominee for Educator of the Year is:

• Aida Attiga, third grade teacher at Sequoia Elementary School.

The only nominee for the Community Plus Award is:

• Public Information Officer Martin Nelis

The nominees for this year’s Green Award are:

• Cantrell’s Computer Sales & Service – Wade Cantrell
• Sequoia Middle School’s E.A.R.T.H. Club
• 511 Contra Costa
• Episcopal Church of the Resurrection;
• Plant Décor – Christine & Valerie Schmidt
• Hillcrest Congregational Church

The event is sponsored by three agencies – the City of Pleasant Hill, the Rec & Park District, and the Chamber of Commerce. The organizing committee is made up of representatives of all three agencies.  The nominees are chosen by last year’s winners, and one representative from each agency.

Tickets to the event are $40 per person and may be obtained at the Rec & Park District Offices. Call Katrina Hunn at 771-7632 for more details and to make reservations. RSVPs for the dinner and ticket purchases must be finalized by Jan. 11.