Emilio Calderon Named 2021 Tigard Shining Stars Youth Volunteer of the Year

Emilio Calderon has been selected as the 2021 Tigard Youth Volunteer of the Year, named in honor of former Mayor Jim Nicoli, who passed away in 2000. Mayor Nicoli’s dedication to the youth of our community was a fitting way to honor his name and recognize  a youth in our community who volunteers to make a difference. Many young people in Tigard are active in volunteer efforts and it is our pleasure to acknowledge their contributions of dedication, energy and community spirit. They are our future!

Emilio joined the Tigard Youth Advisory Council (TYAC) at the age of 13. He has remained an active TYAC member and leader, serving two-terms as secretary and one term as President. During his time as the President of TYAC, Emilio grew the group’s membership and led several projects. He organized multiple volunteer events to cook dinner for families at the Good Neighbor Center, hosted monthly adopt-a-highway cleanups, volunteered at city events, promoted youth voices with ‘social media takeovers; and assisted in surveying Tigard youth about mental health challenges.

Most recently, Emilio was appointed the Youth Councilor on the City Council. His leadership continues as he serves on the Public Safety Advisory Board, participates in discussions on COVID-19 support needs, is a voice for younger Tigard residents on issues like School Resource Officers and racial justice, promotes the role of Youth Councilor and shares the importance of city parks on the video series, “Let’s Talk… Parks!”.

He does Youth Councilor and TYAC all while still balancing his studies and activities as a high school student.

Please join us in congratulating Emilio on this well-deserved award. His award will be formally presented with other Tigard volunteer and business awards at Tigard’s 2021 Shining Stars Community Awards Gala, held on Friday, April 30 from 7-9 p.m. virtually on the Tigard Chamber Facebook page and YouTube channel. Join in on the celebration by pre-ordering dinner from De Angelo’s Catering, get dressed up and join the conversation online while enjoying the award ceremony from the comfort of your home.

For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at Jessica@tigardchamber.org or go to our website at www.Tigardchamber.org.