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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.
Portrait of Congresswoman Judy Chu smiling in front of an American flag. The graphic text reads: “Noche 2025 The Honorable Judy Chu U.S. Representative, CA-28 Outstanding Elected Official.”
October 8, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: U.S. Representative Judy Chu – Outstanding Elected Official

Portrait of Nikki High, founder and owner of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, wearing glasses and a brown shirt, seated indoors. Text overlay reads: Noche 2025, Octavia’s Bookshelf, Outstanding SGV Business.
September 28, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Octavia’s Bookshelf - Outstanding SGV Business

Logo of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) featuring two red silhouettes of people standing together, one with an arm raised. Below the silhouettes is bold red text reading “NDLON” and black text reading “National Day Laborer Organizing Network.” At the bottom, a colorful papel picado design with candles is paired with text: “Noche 2025 National Day Laborer Organizing Network Outstanding Community Organization.
September 23, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) - Outstanding Community Organization

Max Romero sits outdoors under the shade of trees, smiling in conversation. He wears a black shirt and blue shorts while seated on a folding chair. Text on the image reads: “Noche 2025, Max Romero, Outstanding Local Advocate,” with a colorful geometric logo in the corner.
September 19, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Max Romero - Outstanding Local Advocate

Group of cyclists riding along the new sidewalk-level bike path on Merced Avenue Greenway in South El Monte. The path is lined with greenery and block walls, highlighting the project’s focus on safe, shaded, and accessible spaces. Text overlay reads: Noche 2025 Merced Avenue Greenway Outstanding SGV Project.
September 12, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Merced Avenue Greenway Project - Outstanding SGV Project

Logo of Clean Power Alliance (CPA) on a teal background with the text 'Clean Power Alliance.' At the bottom, a banner reads 'Noche 2025 Clean Power Alliance Outstanding Public Agency' alongside the Noche de las Luminarias colorful lantern icon.
September 9, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Clean Power Alliance - Outstanding Public Agency

Two women sitting outside on a park table.
September 5, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Stephanie Pinedo - Brian Veldez Memorial Award - Outstanding Volunteer

Alana Johnson sitting with Carly for a podcast episode.
September 3, 2025

Noche 2025 Honoree: Alana Johnson - Outstanding City Staff

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)
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