30th Annual Awards Ceremony & Dinner

Our sincere appreciation to all those who supported our 30th annual Celebrate Our Stars Awards Ceremony and Dinner!

Your support allowed us to raise significant funds

to support our local youth.

Our annual event honored the incredible achievements of 10 Napa County high school graduates  who faced extraordinary challenges and committed to continue their education.

Now in our third decade of assistance to over 400 Napa Valley youth, If Given a Chance was proud to recognize the latest cohort of high school students who the organization will continue to mentor and financially support through college and vocational schools. The evening celebrated ten local seniors who have overcome significant obstacles in their commitment to build better futures for themselves–futures that include Princeton University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Santa Rosa Junior College’s automotive program and more.

“I felt like I had no purpose growing up,” Quetzaly, a 2025 graduate of Vintage High School, said.”However, If Given A Chance has changed my perspective on myself. I will be the first woman in my family to receive a high school diploma, and this award will make it possible for me to be the very first person in my family to go to a four-year college. It’s incredible for me to say this because the 10-year-old me couldn’t imagine how far I’ve come.”

The poignant evening also included powerful words from an IGAC alumna, Anastasia, who shared her journey from homelessness and abuse to foster care and eventually to Brandeis University, a Master’s degree in International Finance and work in a leading technology company. Allison Haley, Napa Valley District Attorney, welcomed attendees in the opening speech, and Ellen Toscano served as Master of Ceremonies. 

Representatives from the offices of California State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, D-Napa; Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters; and US Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena were also on hand to support and encourage the students with certificates. Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott R. L. Young, following in the tradition of his father, retired Napa County Superior Court Judge Ron Young, congratulated each student at the ceremony and presented their award certificates..

Four named awards – the William S Chiat Award, the Senator Bill Dodd Award, the Bob Almeida and Harry Price Award and the inaugural Warren Winiarski Award – will support students who embody the spirit of the awards and their criteria.

2025 Napa Valley High School Student Participants in If Given a Chance:

Liam Allen, Napa High School
Jasmine Calderon, Vintage High School
Jimena Castillo, Vintage High School (Senator Bill Dodd Award)
Linda Colin Jurado, American Canyon High School
Jesus Coria, American Canyon High School
Lilianna Gonzalez, Napa High School
Quetzaly Hernandez Rojas, Vintage High School (Warren Winiarski Award)
Jose Pina Verduzco, Napa High School
Hannah Root, Valley Oak High School
Evan Winkler, Justin Siena High School (William S. Chiat Award)