How to Nominate a 2021 Las Primeras Honoree
MANA de Imperial Valley is now accepting nomination for our annual 2021 Las Primeras Virtual Awards & Scholarship Fundraiser, here is how you can nominate!
- Download the 2021 Nomination Packet by clicking the button "2021 Nomination Packet" above.
- Please follow all required instructions on the Nomination Packet and submit your nomination by Friday, September 29, 2020 to manalasprimeras@gmail or mail to P.O. Box 2945 El Centro, CA 92244 attention: MANA Las Primeras Coordinator.
For sponsorship opportunities please visit our sponsorship page.
Meet The 2019 Las Primeras Honorees
Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete
The Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete serves as an Imperial County Superior Court Judge, since January 2019. Prior to her successful election, Judge Lepe-Negrete practiced for years as a respected lawyer for both the public and private sector, eventually establishing her own law firm with her business partner, Mariela Barreto, Esq. Judge Lepe-Negrete earned a Juris Doctor from Chicago Kent School of Law and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies & Planning from the University of California, San Diego. Aside from her professional success, Judge Lepe-Negrete is known to be passionate for advocating on behalf of disadvantaged populations which is demonstrated by her involvement serving on numerous nonprofit organizations and community service boards. In addition to serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate working with foster children, Judge Lepe-Negrete also served on the CUHS Band Booster Club, Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure K which raised millions for local schools, Kiwanis, and several positions on the MANA de Imperial Valley Board of Directors between 2011 to 2018, including as President. During her tenure with MANA de Imperial Valley, Judge Lepe-Negrete was heavily involved and successful with raising funds for MANA’s Educational Scholarships and promoted activities and events to engage the community, speaking on behalf of Latinas and advocating for advancement in higher education and career pathways. In addition, she participated in the Migrant Education Speech and Debate Tournaments both as a coach, judge and keynote speaker and served as a former attorney coach for the Vincent Memorial High School Mock Trial Team. It is clear that Judge Lepe-Negrete does not sit on the sidelines; she embraces her leadership abilities and assists whenever possible. The most important value Mrs. Lepe-Negrete holds dear to her heart is family. She and her husband, Dr. Alfredo Negrete, can be seen at their children’s, Esteban and Alexis, school events, sports and activities.
Esther Sanchez-Banda
Esther Sanchez Banda was nominated for her leadership and tireless efforts in addressing and advocating for the education system and services for students in our community. Mrs. Sanchez Banda was elected as a School Board Trustee with Brawley Elementary School District in 2015. As an elected Board of Trustee, she is responsible for Brawley Elementary School District that serves 3,980 students in kindergarten to 8th grade and 250 school district employees. She champions for the success and efforts in advancing student academic learning. She serves on the BESD’s Local Control Accountability Plan, which set goals, plans actions and leverages resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes. Mrs. Sanchez Banda retired from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a Correctional Officer and, for the past ten years, is the school security/proctor for Brawley Union High School. She is also an adjunct professor at Imperial Valley College. Esther has also served as the President of the Classified School Employees Association (CSEA) - Chapter 534. This year, Esther Sanchez-Banda was appointed as Regional Representative-Region 98; she serves on many important committees at the CSEA President’s request and represents hundreds of classified employees. At CSEA, she diligently seeks better wages and benefits, fends off budgets cuts, advocates for safety measures and defends jobs. Esther has been deeply committed to and involved in local volunteer opportunities such as with the Hidalgo Society, currently serving as its President. As President, she manages several community events including an annual toy drive, a backpack give away for local students, host dinner for local football teams and their staff, and award Hispanic of the Year at the Dia de La Raza cultural event. She has served other board positions and spent countless hours to assure a positive environment in her effort to assist our community. Esther is a Brawley Union High School graduate and obtained higher education degrees from Imperial Valley College, San Diego State University and National University. Esther and and her husband Bobby have been married for 20 years, together they have two daughters and three grandchildren. Esther's love for her family is one of her greatest passions.
Veronica Platero
Veronica Avila Platero is a Branch Manager and Senior Officer for PrimeLending. She has been in the mortgage lending profession for over 35 years and is grateful to witness her clients purchase their first home. Ms. Platero was recognized by the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) for reaching the “Circle of Excellence” based on her loan production in 2018 and was added to the “Hall of Fame” as a Top Loan Officer Statewide in 2018. Ms. Platero believes in giving back to her community by funding activities for students in Kindergarten to 12th grade who are in need of resources to be successful academically. Ms. Platero has been adopting schools across the Imperial Valley providing incentives to improve reading and attendance for many years thus making a significant impact on students, teachers and parents. Ms. Platero is the President and Co-Founder of the Fred I.Yturralde Scholarship Foundation (FIYSF), which became 501c3 in 2017. Academic and Athletic Scholarship awards range up to $2,000 for students who attended Mains Elementary School and graduate from Calexico High School. She believes in giving a “hand up” to empower families with resources and opportunities to alleviate financial barriers. Additionally, in 2011 Ms. Platero began volunteering at the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert (CRCD) and has been a Board Member since 2015. She joined the board to support fundraising efforts to assist patients with the cost of cancer treatments, provide meal boxes, food gift cards, gas gift cards and to pay for a hotel stay if a family with a child who has cancer must travel for treatment. She was a recipient of the Distinguished Volunteer Award by the Imperial Valley Community Foundation in 2016. Ms. Platero exemplifies the spirit of giving back to her community and being a champion for families in crisis. Veronica has two grown children, Andrea and Anthony Jr., and her grandson Anthony III. Veronica’s has a close-knit relationship with her children and is happiest when they are together.
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