Celebrating the san gabriel valley

We invite you to save the date for this year’s Noche de las Luminarias—our annual celebration of the advocates and visionaries moving our region forward.

Thursday, September 17, 2026
6 PM – 9 PM
San Gabriel Grapevine Arbor
324 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Join us for an evening of connection and celebration. Nomination details and ticket information to follow soon!
Noche de las Luminarias flyer 2024

Noche 2025 honorees

It is our honor to recognize and award 2025's outstanding honorees for their incredible work and contributions to our communities.
Outstanding Local Advocate
Max Romero

Outstanding City Staff
Alana Johnson, City of Arcadia

Outstanding Volunteer - Brian Velez Memorial Award
Stephanie Pinedo

Outstanding SGV Project or Plan
Merced Avenue Greenway Project

Outstanding SGV Business

Octavia's Bookshelf

Outstanding Public Agency

Clean Power Alliance

Outstanding Community Organization
National Day Laborer Organizing Network

Outstanding Elected Official
The Honorable Judy Chu
U.S. Representative, CA-28

Check Out the Noche Blogs

Learn more about this year's Noche honorees.

Honorees past and Present

SGV Award Honorees
Outstanding Volunteer - Brian Velez Memorial Award
  • Stephanie Pinedo (2025)
  • Grace Santiago (2024)
  • Theresa Velasco Baray (2023)
  • Ernie Gonzalez (2022)
  • Peter Porras (2021)
  • Peter Porras (2020)
  • Velez Family (2019)
  • Gabriel Olvera, Wen Lee, Chris Stratton (2018)
  • Danielle Zamora, Otto Sayes (2017)
Outstanding City / Public Agency
  • Clean Power Alliance (2025)
  • City of Alhambra (2024)
  • City of Pasadena (2022)
  • City of Glendora (2021)
  • City of Baldwin Park (2019)
  • City of San Gabriel (2018)
  • City of South El Monte, City of South Pasadena (2017)
Outstanding Local Advocate
  • Max Romero (2025)
  • Je-Show Yang (2024)
  • Sam & Elena Brown (2023)
  • Joy Walters (2022)
  • Rene Jimenez (2021)
  • Cheryl Auger, Anita Ghazarian (2020)
  • Doug Strange (2017)
Outstanding City Staff
  • Alana Johnson, City of Arcadia (2025)
  • Steven Mateer, City of Glendora (2024)
  • Alan Melgoza-Calderon, Eco Urban Gardens (2023)
  • Yuriko Ruiz Esparza, City of Baldwin Park (2022)
  • Christina Davila, El Monte City School District (2021)
  • Rene Salas, Public Works Director, City of South El Monte (2020)
  • Vincent Hon, City of Alhambra; Michael Macias, City of Alhambra (2019)
  • Cesar Monsalve, City of Duarte (2018)
  • Margaret Lin, City of South Pasadena; Samuel Zneimer, City of South Pasadena; Justine Garcia, City of Glendora (2017)
Outstanding Elected Official
  • The Honorable Judy Chu, U.S. Representative, CA-28 (2025)
  • Jeffrey Koji Maloney, City of Alhambra (2024)
  • Adele Andrade-Stadler, City of Alhambra (2023)
  • Victor Preciado, Council Member, City of Pomona (2022)
  • Sasha Rene Perez, Council Member, City of Alhambra (2021)
  • Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 1 (2019)
  • John Fasana, Council Member, City of Duarte (2018)
  • Vicky Martinez, Council Member, City of El Monte (2017)
Outstanding Community Organization
  • National Day Laborer Organizing Network (2025)
  • Trust for Public Land (2024)
  • Our Savior Center (2023)
  • Council for Watershed Health (2022)
  • Eco Urban Gardens (2021)
  • Asian Pacific Island Forward Movement (APIFM) (2020)
  • Water Foundation (2019)
  • Jeff Seymour Family Center (2018)
  • Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition (2017)
Outstanding Business
  • Octavia's Bookshelf (Pasadena) (2025)
  • Beastin Beauties Fit Studio (El Monte) (2024)
  • Compost Culture (South Pasadena) (2023)
  • Remainders (Pasadena) (2022)
  • The Cub House (San Marino) (2021)
  • Around the Cycle (Pasadena) (2020)
  • Cyber Yogurt (El Monte) (2019)
Outstanding Project or Plan
  • Merced Avenue Greenway Project (2025)
  • Merced Avenue Park (2024)