31st Annual Awards Ceremony & Dinner
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
DREAM SPONSOR
Patrick O’Dell and Elizabeth Glenn O’Dell
NorthBay Health
HOPE SPONSOR
Pacific Gas and Electric
INSPIRE SPONSOR
Alta Mesa Group LLC
Linda and Paul Cantey
The Doctors Company
The Gasser Foundation
Kathleen Lucier
GRACE SPONSOR
Bank of Marin
Lloyd Cellars
Mike and Christine Burns
Morgan Stanley
Napa County Office of Education
FRIEND SPONSOR
Anonymous
G & J Seiberlich and Co LLP
Bill and Sandi Feaster
Marisa and William Schott
Vintner’s Collective
PROMISE SPONSOR
Charles Schwab
WINE SPONSOR
Bonanza and Caymus Vineyards, part of the Wagner Family of Wine
Our sincere appreciation to all those who supported our 31st annual Celebrate Our Stars Awards Dinner and Fundraiser
Together, we raised a record-breaking $265,000 to support our local Napa County 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.
On Saturday, May 16th, 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 New York University, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, UC San Diego, Skyline College and Napa Valley College.
“I never considered I was the sort of person who needed support or help from anyone,” shared Jaye Luhn, a 2026 graduate of New Technology High School. “When I was 14, my entire life changed when my Dad had a Brain Hemorrhage at 49…It pains me to say at that moment I forfeited childhood because I had no choice,” she continued. “When I got the call from Kelli Watkins congratulating me on winning a spot in the scholarship, I finally felt seen.”
The poignant evening also included powerful words from Jesus Coria, a current student at UC Berkeley who is pursuing a career in medicine and studying neuroscience. In his speech, Jesus shared with the audience, “If Given A Chance, and through its partnership with Students Rising Above, it didn’t just help me get to Berkeley; it made sure I wasn’t alone once I got there. Whether it’s financial support, mentorship, or simply knowing some people genuinely care about my success, I know I have a foundation I can rely on.”
Daisy Zamora, a 2026 graduate from Sacramento State who works for the Napa Valley Education Foundation while preparing to continue her studies to become a social worker also discussed her journey to becoming an If Given A Chance awardee and how that has shaped her future.
In addition to the student celebrations, Allison Haley, Napa Valley District Attorney and the Board Chair for If Given A Chance, received the first Community Star given by the organization in honor of her dedication to serving local Napa County youth who have faced significant obstacles. Presented to her by retired Napa County Superior Court Judge Ron Young, Allison accepted the award and shared that she was proud to do everything she can to help our youth combat adverse childhood experiences (ACES) so that they can, as she did, build brighter futures for themselves and their own families.
Representatives from the offices of California Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters; and US Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena were on hand to support and encourage the students with certificates. Two Napa County Supervisors, Joelle Gallagher, District 1, and Liz Alessio, District 2, also cheered on the students with certificates. The Honorable Ron Young called up each student to the podium for their recognition.
“If Given A Chance was my first step, my first chance to prove I was more than what happened to me,” concluded Jaye. “I believe this organization was the beginning of many great accomplishments, not just for me, but for every student here. We can’t wait to show you what we’ll do!”
Six named awards – the William S Chiat Award, the Senator Bill Dodd Award, the Bob Almeida and Harry Price Award and the Warren Winiarski Award, and two new awards—the Katherine Doering Award and the Henry Kinimaka Award—will support students who embody the spirit of the awards and their criteria.
2026 Napa Valley High School Student Participants in If Given a Chance:
Alexis Rene Lazo, Vintage High School
Andrea Barrera Coca, Napa High School
Jasmine Hoskins, Vintage High School
Jayden Diego Romero, Vintage High School
Jaye Luhn, New Technology High School
Jimena Reynaga-Castro, St. Helena High School
Maria Mosconi Carrion, Napa High School
Melody Kondor, American Canyon High School
Michelle Villafaña, American Canyon High School
Shian Fancy Dellacort, Vintage High School
Subscribe
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Thank you for supporting our students!