FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Arturo Gloria, Olga Gloria, Rev. Jose Dominguez, Irma Dash, Aurora Cedillo, Councilor Roland Herrera and Mayor Cathy Clark pose for a photo during a Keizer City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 20 (KEIZERTIMES/Joey Cappelletti).
Arturo and Olga Gloria, and the entire Latino Action Committee, were presented with Keizer’s Volunteer of the Quarter award during the city council meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.
“Art and Olga have been an integral part of the Keizer community for many decades, and their kind and open hearts and dedication to the improvement of Keizer has made Keizer a better place for all of us,” Councilor Laura Reid wrote in nomination letter.
Arturo and Olga were both longtime staff members at McNary High School – but their work at the high school after retirement is the primary reason they were honored Monday night.
The Glorias are two founding members of the Latinos in Action Committee, which since 2018 has provided scholarships for Latino students at McNary. This past year, the group was able to provide 18 students with $400 each in scholarship money.
“(The scholarship) is not only a vote of confidence for our students but an investment in Keizer’s future, ensuring that graduating seniors understand and appreciate the role that we need them to play as future leaders,” Reid wrote.
Other members of the Latinos in Action Committee are Counselor Roland Herrera, Rev. Jose Dominguez, Aurora Cedillo and Irma Dash. At Monday’s meeting, Herrera read Reid’s nomination letter aloud before asking Rev. Dominguez to read a letter the group had received from a scholarship recipient.
“We as Latinos are thankful for organizations such as this one that look at our generation as a promising and committed generation that will fulfill a dream and vision to bring positive rewards and service to the community and our families. Thank you for believing in us,” the letter read.
After receiving a standing ovation, the Glorias and the rest of the Latino Action Committee accepted the award and took photos with Mayor Cathy Clark.
Joey Cappelletti: [email protected]