In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and California Native American Week, State Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter on Sept. 18 honored 30 Latinos and Native Americans under the age of 35 for their accomplishments and community service. About 300 guests attended Assemblymember Carter’s 4th Annual 30 Under 30 Latino/Native American Recognition Breakfast at Cal State San Bernardino. Keynote speaker was State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez. Mistress of Ceremonies was Angela Acosta- Salazar, President, Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees.

“In honoring the accomplishments of the young, successful and motivated individuals of our community, more and more people will be moved to follow such fine examples of success and community activism,” Assemblymember Carter said. The 2010 30 Under 30 honorees are: Colton residents: Rena Lee Pereyra, a Colton Joint Unified School District business office employee; Rose Quiroz-Rodriguez, a physical education teacher and coach at Bloomington High School; Daniel Lopez, head custodian at William McKinley Elementary School in Colton Joint Unified School District; and Paul Heredia, AmeriCorps Member of First 5 San Bernardino and elementary school pre-school assistant. San Bernardino residents:

Louie F. Rodriguez, a professor at California State University San Bernardino in educational leadership and curriculum: Jesse Venegas, a math tutor and mentor to young people; Ericka Nuñez Paddock, Director of Student Life at Crafton Hills College; Jennifer M. Gonzalez, a social worker with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavorial Health; Byanet Hermosillo, a student at California State University, San Bernardino; Mitzy Diaz, a teaching credentials student at National University; Guadalupe Alvarado, a certified lactation educator; and Roberto Corral, a California Highway Patrol officer.

Rialto residents: Rafael Trujillo Jr., Congressional Representative for Congressman Joe Baca; Dulce Mendoza, a program specialist for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties; Marisol Corrales, a bilingual office assistant in the Transitional Assistance Department of San Bernardino County; and Julie Zamora, a clerical assistant to District 62 Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter. Fontana residents: Grace Ojeda, an undergraduate student at Cal State San Bernardino; Elsie Hernandez, office manager for the Fontana Chamber of Commerce; Riverside residents: Meshach Padilla, a Cal State San Bernardino student; Melissa Gonzalez, a political campaign manager; and Aimee Carpenter, assistant executive director of the Fontana Native American Center and Valerie Herrera, an administrative analyst for the City Clerk’s office in the City of Fontana.

Grand Terrace residents: Andrez Rodriguez, night custodian at Grand Terrace Elementary School; Jennifer Saldaña, a kindergarten teacher and English Language Development Coordinator at Paul J. Rogers Elementary School in the Colton Joint Unified School District. Francisco Villegas of Redlands, a Bloomington High School math teacher; Christina Barragan of Moreno Valley, a community engagement specialist with Youth Action Project and a graduate student at University of California, Irvine; Jessica Gomez of Loma Linda, principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in the San Bernardino City Unified School District; Ray Moorhead Martin of El Monte, an intern in the Office of Congressman Joe Baca through his graduate school, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Melissa Monrreal of Corona, Deputy District Attorney for San Bernardino County; and Josh Candelaria, Deputy Director, Office of Legislative Affairs for San Bernardino County of Rancho Cucamonga.