Spirit of Watsonville Parade Grand Marshal Named; Entry Deadline Approaches

The Parade committee has recently named the Grand Marshal for the 2013 Spirit of Watsonville Grand Parade. This year local resident and Executive Director for the Watsonville based Loaves and Fishes, Margarita Cortez, has been selected. Margarita was born and raised in Watsonville, CA. The youngest in a family of ten and daughter of farmworker parents, she began working with needy communities at a young age. From organizing dinners for the poor to serving meals to the needy, she is dedicated to helping those in need. 

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and a minor in Global Peace and Security. 

Margarita began her civic involvement at a young age by participating in student government, attending leadership conferences and participating in the Watsonville High School Foundation as a Student Board Member and Pajaro Valley Strategic Planning Retreat Student Representative. Her awards and certificates include Special Recognition from the California State Legislature, American Legion Award, Place Voices of Democracy-High School Level, Gavel winner – Santa Clara Valley Model United Nations, S.B. President, Class President, Girl’s State Participant, Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Conference Attendee, United Nations Association Certificate of Appreciation, United Nations 50th Anniversary Alternate Participant, appreciation from San Diego MANA and Delegate to the California Democratic Party State Convention. 

In 2008, she volunteered as a Team Lead in the Obama Campaign for the 50th Congressional District; leading a core team of volunteers in phonebanking efforts. She stayed on as a volunteer with Organizing for America, the successor organization to Obama for America. She actively participated in efforts to pass healthcare reform and assumed additional responsibilities as Community Organizer for the 53rd Congressional District. She met President Obama in 2009 as part of a delegation from San Diego County that was invited to attend an appreciation event for successful grassroots organizing. 

David Hemrick, President of the Watsonville Rotary Club added that “Margarita is a hard worker, is very active in our Rotary, has a great personality and the organization has enjoyed her detective skills”. 

As the Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Inc, she leads this local non-profit in fulfilling its mission of helping the needy through nutritious food, education and referrals. 

She also serves as a Governing Board Member for Cabrillo Community College, representing Area V. 

Her current community involvement includes: 

• Board Member, Cabrillo College Foundation 
• Community Advocate, Dominican Hospital 
• Leadership Committee, Watsonville Community Connections Collaborative (WCCC) 
• Member, Tri County Association of Latino Elected Officials (TCALEO) 
• Member, American Association of University Women (AAUW) 

Parade applications are now available to download at www.spiritofwatsonville.com. Thursday, June 13 is the last day to take advantage of the 50 percent off early bird registrations.

This hometown parade, with car clubs, tractors, fire engines, antique cars, local non-profit agencies, equestrian units and the Watsonville Band, steps off at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Main Street and Freedom Boulevard. 

“We anticipate more than 75 entries this year and expect thousands of people to again line the parade route on Main Street,” said Doug Mattos, City of Watsonville’s Senior Administrative Analyst “This is a wonderful multi-cultural tradition in Watsonville. It’s a fun, inspiring way to get into a patriotic mood.” 

For more information, call 768-3266 or visitwww.spiritofwatsonville.com.