by Samantha Carlson on 2014-06-25
Community members gathered to honor and recognize 8 men in the Inland Empire who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the people of their communities. Randall Ceniceros, Alan Dyer, Richard Loder, Ratibu Jaycocks, Danny Marquez, Kermit Moss, Carlos Teran, and Matthew Slowik were honored for the work they have done.
On Friday, June 20th 2014, the second annual, “Men of Distinction” recognition program was held at the Grand Terrace Community Center. California State Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown of the 47th Assembly District presented the eight men with gift baskets and certificates and introduced them to their friends and families.
Brown shared that each man who received the distinction is, “self-sacrificing by nature and purely motivated to serve others. Each honoree shares the common values which are considered most admirable. These Men of Distinction are problem solvers and navigators.”
Brown would like to host this event every year and, “believes men should be recognized for the good things they do for the community.”
The program started off with an invocation by Pastor Andy McRae of Azure Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grand Terrace. Azure Hills helped make the afternoon event possible through donations and support.
Before the event began, a group of young girls from The Rec Center in Grand Terrace led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and performed an excerpt from The Star Spangled Banner.
Cheryl R. Brown presented the honorees and recognized some people important to her and the fruition of the event such as Jon Gaede whom she spoke to in front of the audience saying, “You are a true champion, you did everything I wanted and I’m very happy,” and Darren W. Parker whom she shared he is, ”Someone who is here for me and I really appreciate what he does.” Brown also acknowledged former Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter and said, “I wouldn’t be here today without her.”
Brown shared at the beginning of the program there are three components that these men share: “Character, service, and leadership. They forge ahead not by polls, but by knowing what’s right. Their engine runs on constant desire to serve others and they have a sense of leadership and purpose."
One of Colton Joint Unified School District Trustee’s, Randall Ceniceros was among the 8 men to receive the distinction and is currently finishing his first term of 4 years. Ceniceros graduated from Glen A. Wilson High School and attended Mt. San Antonio College and Chaffey Community College. Ceniceros has served several school and district level committees that include; PTA, Agua Mansa PTA Scholarship Committee, and the Spirit of Bloomington High School Band Booster Club. He also supports the Citizens Oversight Committee, AVID, and GATE programs.
Ceniceros shared, “Our greatest achievement has been the new Grand Terrace High School, it created a change on the campus and made it a lot more manageable.” He stated we have, “invested and still have a lot to address when it comes to safety.” Ceniceros is pushing to bring crossing guards to school and says, “Safety is my top priority.” He is a resident of South Fontana and lives with his wife, Maria and their four children.
Some of the men spoke and acknowledged their family after receiving their awards. Ratibu Jacocks shared. “You have made me feel special and I mean that with all my heart. In order to get his, you need to be an insider and it make me feel included, you can’t call me an outsider”. Jacocks stated, “I am a problem solver, idea giver and a catalyst for positive action”.
Danny Marquez served in the United States Army from 1976-1979 and is a 33-year veteran of the United States Postal Service. He shared, “I would like to personally thank the assemblywoman for this honor. Before he sat down, Marquez said, “All of us need to work together to bring resources to the community and acknowledged his “lovely wife Diana”.
At the end of event amidst the picture taking and the proud friends and family present, Brown ended the event by saying, “God bless and God keep you and I pray you have a wonderful rest of the day.”