Vista Mayor Judy Ritter Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Heroes of Vista Ceremony

By TR Robertson
The Vistonian Event Center, at 306 S. Santa Fe in Downtown Vista owned by Booze Brothers Brewery, was packed with civic leaders, local business owners and employees and guests on Friday as the 11th Annual Vista Chamber of Commerce Heroes of Vista ceremony was held to honor businesses, public service and educational employees and outstanding community leaders.

As guests entered the event, they were serenaded by members of the Leadership Academy Violin Club made up of middle and high school students. Over 230 guests and honorees were treated inside to a selection of hors d’oeuvres provided by Red Tail Catering as they mingled for cocktail hour. Beautifully decorated tables were set-up for the attendees after they checked-in at the entry. Small charcuterie boxes from Bleu Oak Gourmet Cheese and Charcuterie Boards featuring a selection of cheese, meats and other items, were at each table for the guests to enjoy once seated. Drinks were available for purchase with beer selections provided by Booze Brothers as well as a selection of wines.

The Heroes of Vista Ceremony is presented by Tri-City Medical Center and hosted by the Vista Chamber of Commerce and the Vista Education Foundation. The celebration of local heroes honoring civic, business and community leaders featured presentation of short videos and plaques signifying their contribution to a variety of areas, projects, and programs during the year. The event also features a fundraising drive for the Vista Education Foundation arts and technology programs in Vista schools. The money raised also provides scholarships and supports internship programs. An online silent auction was available where bids could be made for a variety of gift items.

The MC for the evening was Chamber Board Member Zeke Corley and the awards presentations began with a welcome from Vista Chamber of Commerce Executive Chair Adam Brooks. The first award given was the introduction of the Veteran of the Year. Each award was presented with a short statement read by members of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, a Chamber Board of Directors member, or by a member of the Vista Education Foundation. This year’s Veteran of the Year recipient was George R. Monty Jr. – USMC retired. His award was accepted by his son, George Monty.

Education Awards were presented by Vince Hinojosa, President of the Vista Education Foundation. Awards went to:
Administrator of the Year – Jeremy Walden – Principal Mission Vista High School

Classified Person of the Year – Veronica “Cardie” Edgar – Librarian Mission Meadows Elementary School
WATCH Veronica”Cardie” Edgar VIDEO

Technology Educator of the Year – Lauralee Juliano – CTE Instructor Mission Vista High School
WATCH Lauralee Juliano VIDEO

Art Educator of the Year – Zachary Squibb – Band Director Madison Middle School
WATCH Zachary Squibb VIDEO

Healthcare Person of the Year – Marie Bojorquez – Counselor Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts School
WATCH Marie Bojorquez VIDEO

Vince Hinojosa introduced a short video that showed the importance of the Vista Education Foundation and all the worthwhile programs sponsored financially by their fundraising efforts. People in the audience were given a chance to make financial contributions by logging into their cell phones and using the auction site provided in the back of the program to make contributions to the Education Foundation. The contributions went on for ten to fifteen minutes and had raised over $6,000 by the time the program moved on to the next presentations. Donations continued throughout the event.

Rachel Beld, Chamber CEO, recognized the Chamber Longevity awards for those members in attendance: 25-year members – Moonlight Cultural Foundation and Pacific Western Bank, 35-year members – San Diego County Credit Union and Vista Historical Society, 40-year members – Vista Community Clinic and 50-year member – Boys and Girls Club of Vista. Several members not in attendance included 40-year member McDonald’s and 30-year member Frazier Farms.

The next presentations, the Community Awards, were made by Aaron Byzak, from Tri-City Medical Center and Vista Chamber Board of Directors. The awards went to:

Firefighter of the Year – Joseph Denhalter Watch Joseph Denhalter Video

Sheriff of the Year – Deputy Elizabeth Curtis and Deputy Wesley Hatfield – Watch Deputy Curtis and Deputy Hatfield Video

Healthcare Hero of the Year – Jenessa Frend – Nursing Administrative Supervisor – Tri-City Medical Center
WATCH Jenessa Frend VIDEO

Rachel Beld, CEO Vista Chamber of Commerce presented the Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion to longtime Vista resident David Zumaya – My SD North County, for his years of service and commitment to businesses in Vista.

The next series of presentations, the Business Awards, were introduced by various members of the Chamber Executive Committee and Board. Winners of these categories included:
Businessperson of the Year – Julie Lowen – Children’s Paradise accepting

New Business of the Year – Misadventure & Co. – Samual Chereskin and Whit Rigali accepting

Non-Profit of the Year – Vista Elks – David Workman, President and Exalted Ruler accepting

Small Business of the Year – Direct Professional Cleaning Service – Andrea Ruano, President accepting

The final presentation for the afternoon Heroes of Vista celebration was the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s recipient is Vista Mayor Judy Ritter. Mayor Ritter was first elected to the Vista City Council in 1998 and has been Mayor since 2010. In a video honoring Mayor Ritter, her many accomplishments as Mayor were singled out, especially pointing out the financial stability the city has and the tremendous increase in the number of businesses now calling Vista home, as well as the development and improvement of Downtown Historic Vista. It was pointed out the Mayor was one of the founders of the early Vista Village Business Association and has always worked closely with the Vista Chamber of Commerce supporting the many projects the Chamber is involved with. She is an avid supporter of the programs of the Vista Moonlight Amphitheatre, the improvement of the facilities at the Moonlight Amphitheatre, the improvements at the Civic Center, three new fire stations for the City, the completion of Paseo Santa Fe and many more projects that has shown her commitment to making Vista a standout city along the 78 corridor and in all of North San Diego County.

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Those in attendance were especially excited to be back in person for this event as well as pleased to be able to honor the challenging work and dedication those being honored had brought to the community. Everyone was encouraged to frequent some of the restaurants that were offering dinner discounts for the evening. The restaurants offering discounts included Vista Village Pub, Shaks Mediterranean, Wildwood Crossing & Cantina, Best Pizza & Brew, Mikko Sushi, Belching Beaver, Madera, Culichi Town and When Pigs Fly.

Presented by Tri-City Medical Center and hosted by the Vista Chamber of Commerce and Vista Education Foundation, the Heroes of Vista award gala celebrates excellence in education, business and community service.

For more information about the Vista Education Foundation go to www.vistaeducationfoundation.org.

Photos NC Daily Star Bill Horning Tom Robertson