City Council recognizes Colton students with annual youth leadership awards

Dr. Luis Gonzalez presents Natalie Caceres, Brooke Carlson, Erin Dallatorre, and Sadie Larios with certificates as part of Youth Leadership Day 2022 for their service to the Colton community

Jeremiah Dollins, Pepper Bough Adviser|May 18, 2022

J. Dollins

Brooke Carlson, Natalie Caceres, Erin Dallatorre, and Sadie Larios were presented with Colton’s Youth Leadership Recognition Award for their contributions to the Colton community during the 2021-22 school year.

Colton, CA—With the end of the year only a few days away, the awards celebrations continue. Last night, Colton’s City Council got in on the fun, recognizing four CHS students with their 7th annual Colton Youth Leadership Recognition Awards at May’s City Council meeting as part of Colton Youth Leadership Day.

Natalie Caceres, Brooke Carlson, Erin Dallatorre, and Sadie Larios were honored for their “demonstration of leadership in respect to their organizations.” The awards were presented by City Councilman for District 4, Dr. Luis Gonzalez, who shared about each student’s accolades with the community.

City Councilman Dr. Luis Gonzalez shares about each of these remarkable young women as part of Colton’s Youth Leadership Day celebration. (J. Dollins)

Sadie Larios was awarded for her service to the community as Editor of the Pepper Bough, her work as part of CHS Renaissance, and for being Class of 2022’s Valedictorian. Gonzalez shared her plans to attend UCLA in the fall as an English major in hopes of continuing her path towards a career as a professional writer.

Erin Dallatorre, the only underclassman awarded at the event, was awarded for her service as a writer for the Pepper Bough. In addition, she is also an active member of the Colton band— playing saxophone as part of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band—and a member of the National Honors Society.

Natalie Caceres was awarded for her role as President of the Band Council at CHS. Additionally, she serves as a member of Link Crew, an ROP ambassador, plays bass clarinet and baritone saxophone for the school band, and is running for 2022 Miss Colton. After graduation, she intends to go to college and to work in the automotive industry.

Lastly, Brooke Carlson was awarded for her role as Drum Major in the CHS band. She is also active as a leader in CHS’s Wellness Club, Link Crew, and is in the running for 2022 Miss Colton at Sunday’s pageant to be held in Fleming Park. Next for Carlson, she plans on attending UCR to study political science and pre-law.

City Council established the Youth Leadership Awards and Youth Leadership Day in 2016 as a means to “recognize student leaders within the community in order to foster youth involvement in school, community, and civic affairs,” according to councilman Gonzalez in his speech.